Exclusive Edward and Caroline Cutscene

Ubisoft is remaking Assassin’s Creed Black Flag using the Anvil engine, featuring story refinements and new cutscenes written by original lead writer Darby McDevitt. According to an IGN interview, Resynced expands Edward Kenway’s emotional depth and removes the original modern-day framing to focus entirely on the historical narrative.

How is Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced different from the original?

Ubisoft has completely overhauled the game’s technical foundation, moving the seafaring adventure into the same Anvil engine used for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This transition brings updated combat and revised game mechanics, according to reports from IGN.

The narrative isn’t a simple retelling. McDevitt told IGN that Ubisoft refined the plot by fleshing out existing characters, adding new story chapters, and introducing new members to Kenway’s crew. Unlike the 2013 original, Resynced removes the modern-day story sequences entirely.

Did you know? The Anvil engine now powers the latest entries in the series, allowing for more complex environmental interactions and higher fidelity assets than the original 2013 build.

Why did Ubisoft bring back Darby McDevitt for the remake?

Ubisoft hired McDevitt as a consultant to address “missed opportunities” in the original script. McDevitt, who earned a Writers Guild of America nomination for the first game, focused on adding emotional “color” to Edward Kenway.

The primary goal was to bolster Edward’s relationship with his wife, Caroline. McDevitt noted that the original game ramped up too quickly into privateering, leaving little room to show Edward’s “sweet side.” To fix this, he wrote three new cutscenes specifically designed to anchor Edward’s motivations in love and devotion rather than just greed.

The significance of the “chocolate scene”

One new sequence involves Edward purchasing chocolate for Caroline. McDevitt explained to IGN that this scene highlights Edward’s struggle to provide for a wife who married “above his station.”

This detail serves as a narrative bookend. In the original game’s finale, Edward mentions taking his family to White’s Chocolate House. By adding a chocolate-related scene early in Resynced, the developers create a structural loop that emphasizes Edward’s growth from a naive dreamer to a changed man.

What happens to the modern-day story in Resynced?

The modern-day framing—which in 2013 dealt with the aftermath of Desmond’s death—is absent from this version. McDevitt stated that the original plot isn’t relevant to the current narrative trajectory of the franchise.

Instead, Resynced is framed as a meta-story. McDevitt suggests the experience is akin to someone re-experiencing Edward’s memories through the Animus 13 years after the original events. While the “twist” from the original game remains canon, it is no longer the central driver of the Resynced experience.

Pro Tip: If you’re playing Resynced for the first time, focus on the letters Edward writes to Caroline. These now serve as the primary emotional thread connecting the game’s acts.

Comparison: Original Black Flag vs. Resynced

The shift in focus from the original to the remake changes how players perceive Edward Kenway’s journey. According to the interview, the differences are stark:

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced: Edward and Caroline Cutscene | IGN First

Narrative Structure: The original used a parallel plot (2013 and 1715). Resynced is a streamlined historical experience.
Character Depth: Caroline was previously defined by her absence. In Resynced, her presence is felt throughout the entire journey via expanded scenes and voiced letters.
Technical Base: The original ran on an older Ubisoft engine; Resynced utilizes the modern Anvil engine for updated combat and visuals.

FAQ: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced

Is the gameplay the same as the original?

No. According to IGN, Ubisoft has overhauled combat and various game mechanics alongside the engine upgrade.

Does the remake change the ending?

The core historical events remain, but McDevitt tweaked the final interaction with Black Bart Roberts to focus on the historical story rather than the modern-day twist.

Who is the lead writer for the remake?

While a new team handles the bulk of the project, original lead writer Darby McDevitt returned as a consultant to refine the story and write new scenes.

What do you think about the removal of the modern-day plot? Does a streamlined historical focus make the story better? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more gaming updates.