The gaming landscape of the early-mid 2010s witnessed the emergence of some of the most monumental titles in the industry. In 2013, Grand Theft Auto 5 made waves, followed by the release of Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U in 2014, and the arrival of The Witcher 3 in 2015, showcasing the era's gaming prowess. Among these, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, a fan-favorite and renowned as one of the finest pirate games ever, debuted in 2013.
Despite its age, Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remains the epitome of pirate-themed adventure, seamlessly blending naval battles with on-foot exploration and other genre-defining features. Another standout from that era is 2015's Batman: Arkham Knight, which revolutionized superhero gaming akin to how Black Flag did for pirate games. Surprisingly, both these games are experiencing a remarkable resurgence in recent times.
The Resurgence of Batman: Arkham Knight and Assassin's Creed Black Flag
Back to Classics Amidst Recent Disappointments
The gaming community in 2024 has been rife with contentious releases, with titles like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Skull and Bones leading the pack. Released in late January, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has swiftly garnered a reputation as one of the year's biggest letdowns. As a live-service looter-shooter, Rocksteady's return to the DC universe has failed to meet fan expectations, evident in its critical and commercial reception.
Closely following is the official launch of Skull and Bones, just a week ago, echoing a similar sentiment of dissatisfaction. Despite over a decade in development, Skull and Bones falls short of both anticipation and excellence, marking the second major disappointment in live-service gaming within a short span.
While Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Skull and Bones belong to different genres, they share a common thread of aspiring to follow in the footsteps of two highly acclaimed franchise entries. Suicide Squad represents Rocksteady's first venture since Batman: Arkham Knight, while Skull and Bones draws significant inspiration from Assassin's Creed: Black Flag. However, these titles pale in comparison to their predecessors, leading fans to revisit these classic games in search of nostalgia.
Both Batman: Arkham Knight and Assassin's Creed: Black Flag have witnessed a substantial surge in player activity in recent weeks. Presently boasting 5,569 active players according to Steam Charts, Batman: Arkham Knight has experienced a notable 60.40% rise in player numbers over the last 30 days. Similarly, Assassin's Creed: Black Flag has seen a 25.30% uptick in player count over the same period, with 3,223 current players. While specific player data for Skull and Bones is unavailable, these statistics paint a grim picture for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, with a mere 698 current players.