One criticism often hurled at historical fiction – including, and maybe even especially towards video games – is that the fiction often ignores some of the darker aspects of the era in favor of presenting a more palatable story. If the trailer below is any indication, that won’t be the case in the upcoming Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
The game is set during the “Golden Age of Piracy,” specifically in the early 1700s. It was a time when many pirates experienced freedoms that were previously unthought-of, and that freedom extended to people of color – sometimes. Comparatively speaking, pirates were among the most progressive and equality-minded people of the age, but they also still engaged in the slave trade. Sometimes they would free slaves, many even became pirates themselves, but just as often they would be treated as another cargo to be looted and sold.
Ubisoft appears to be addressing that head on with the new Freedom Cry DLC starring Adewale, the quartermaster and second-in-command of the Jackdaw, the ship belonging to Black Flag’s primary protagonist Edward Kenway. In the game Kenway relies heavily on Adewale as a partner in piracy as well as a trusted lieutenant throughout the game. The DLC takes place 15 years after meeting Kenway.
The three hour side story finds Adewale, a trained assassin, marooned on the island of Saint-Dominique alone and weaponless. In order to escape he begins to recruit a crew and plans to steal a ship. The more he becomes involved with the slave community on the island, however, the more he feels compelled to free the slaves and end the lives of their captors.
The DLC reveal came as part of the announcement that the game would feature a season pass, which will be available for $19.99, 20-percent less than buying the pieces ala carte.
The season pass also includes: the “Kraken Ship Pack,” an exclusive set of upgrades for the Jackdaw; more multiplayer characters; and more “Single-player missions, weapons, skins, and collectibles for Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag.”
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag releases for the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii U on October 29. It will then be a launch title for both PS4 and Xbox One. A PC version will be released on November 19.
