Fresh insider reports suggest that the upcoming Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag remake is moving in a much more modern direction than many longtime fans expected. The new version is said to feature a far livelier open world, complete with a Shadows-style dynamic weather system and an overhauled combat model inspired by today’s AC RPG titles.

According to new leaks, the remake’s combat will borrow heavily from modern AC RPG entries, featuring loot-driven progression and character stats. However, Ubisoft has reportedly toned down several RPG systems after earlier leaks triggered an overwhelmingly negative backlash three months ago. The studio seems to be aiming for an updated experience that still respects the spirit of the original Black Flag.

The Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag remake is one of Ubisoft’s worst-kept secrets at this point, with numerous reports all but confirming its existence. Recent information indicates that the revamped open world will resemble Shadows much more than the 2013 original, offering expanded activities, denser exploration opportunities, and a fuller, more vibrant world map.

Ubisoft is reportedly framing this project more as an RPG reinterpretation than a faithful one-to-one remake, a creative choice that has unsettled many longtime fans. J0nathan, a well-known insider and content creator, claims that both combat and loot mechanics will closely mirror the structure of modern RPG-style Assassin’s Creed titles.

Still, Ubisoft appears to have scaled back many other RPG components after fans reacted harshly to early documents and prototype leaks. The publisher may be trying to avoid diluting the identity of a game considered by many to be one of the strongest entries in the entire franchise.

Older leaks have also stated that the remake will feature completely seamless transitions, with no loading screens at all. The modern-day storyline found in the original will be removed, replaced instead with expanded content from Edward Kenway’s pirate era. Additional cut material, such as sections of Mary Read’s narrative, is rumored to make a return as well.

Reportedly, the remake is being built on a tighter budget than remakes like Resident Evil 2 or Silent Hill 2. Even so, Ubisoft is said to be reimagining the classic while still attempting to preserve its core identity within a more contemporary framework.

Rumors suggest that the Black Flag remake could be officially revealed at The Game Awards 2025, with a potential release window around March 2026. Meanwhile, Ubisoft is allegedly developing yet another remake in parallel, this time of the original Assassin’s Creed, expected to arrive closer to the end of the decade.

Source: tech4gamer