Assassin’s Creed Black Flag’s shanties are still the best part of the game
In 2021, sea shanties experienced an unexpected surge in popularity on TikTok following Scottish singer Nathan Evans’s performance of “Wellerman,” a traditional whaler’s shanty. The phenomenon sparked widespread creation of a capella videos of young performers adding layered harmonies to historic seamen’s work songs. However, Ubisoft’s 2013 pirate-themed action game Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag had already embraced sea shanties years earlier, featuring dozens of shanties woven into its soundtrack alongside Brian Tyler’s original score.
According to the article, Black Flag’s shanties remain the best part of the game even today. By incorporating authentic seamen’s work songs as part of its historical pirate setting, the game presciently included cultural elements that would later achieve mainstream recognition through social media, years after its release. The article highlights how the game’s approach to shanties has proven to be an enduring and memorable element of the experience.