Ubisoft Fires Back as Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Store Backlash Grows
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is drawing a wave of negative Steam reviews, and the complaints aren’t mainly about the remake’s actual gameplay. Players point to the noticeable drop to 30fps during cutscenes (a known issue), but the bigger sticking point is the overwhelming amount of paid content bundled into the store page—amounting to roughly $85—prompting accusations that Ubisoft’s microtransaction strategy is “greedy.”
Steam review backlash centers on DLC-heavy pricing
For now, Black Flag Resynced sits at an overall “Mixed” user rating on Steam. That score is being dragged down by the extensive list of downloadable content shown alongside the launch listing, even as some positive reviews acknowledge the game itself while still calling out Ubisoft’s monetization approach.
Ubisoft responded to the criticism with a message aimed at clarifying expectations rather than promising a rollback. The publisher told players it has been reading feedback since launch, but it did not frame the reply as an admission of wrongdoing or a commitment to remove the extra packs.
In its statement, Ubisoft emphasized that the baseline purchase covers the full experience. The company said: “We’ve seen your feedback since launch, and we’re reading all of it.” It then added that standard owners should not feel compelled to buy additional items.
The response went on to state that the “standard edition is the full, complete experience,” including “every mission, every island, the full story, and the complete world,” with no parts withheld. Ubisoft also reiterated that the extra packs are optional, stating they are “never a requirement to enjoy or complete the game,” and ended with: “We’ll keep listening as you play!”
Ubisoft insists extras are optional—even as players object
The core argument from Ubisoft is simple: you can ignore the additional store items. Still, players are frustrated by the way the options are presented, especially when the total value of the extra packs is described as exceeding what many would expect from even a deluxe tier.
While optional microtransactions aren’t new for Ubisoft, the backlash is tied to how visibly the monetization layers are displayed. One major point raised by critics is that the store’s setup can push players toward spending on items that feel poorly matched to the remake’s presentation, while also encouraging purchases tied to other related content—specifically including an offer to buy Shadows.
There’s also a broader comparison being made to older Assassin’s Creed monetization models. The criticism notes that previously, standout and exclusive cosmetics were often tied to completing substantial side activities—like long-form treasure hunts and questlines. A cited example is Altaïr’s black armor from Assassin’s Creed 2, which is used to illustrate what some fans consider a more earned approach to cosmetics.
That said, the criticism acknowledges that some classic-style items still exist in this release—such as the classic robes included in Shadows—but argues they are overshadowed by loud, MMO-like outfit designs that dominate the storefront.
What to watch next for Black Flag Resynced
Ubisoft’s current stance is that the standard edition already contains the complete game, and that additional packs are purely optional. However, Steam reviews suggest that presentation and pricing visibility are having an impact on player perception right now.
- Steam user sentiment: “Mixed,” with negativity driven largely by microtransactions and DLC volume on the store page
- Known technical note mentioned by reviewers: cutscenes can dip to 30fps
- Ubisoft’s message: the standard edition includes the full missions, islands, story, and world; extra packs are optional extras
For players, the key question going forward is whether Ubisoft’s “keep listening” approach leads to any meaningful changes in how these packs are packaged or displayed—or whether the current backlash will continue to shape Steam impressions in the weeks ahead.
