Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Video: Next-Gen Improvements

What's going to separate the different console versions of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag from one another? Plenty according to this latest development video.

Though the core game will remain the same, the differences between the Xbox 360/Xbox One and PlayStation 3/PlayStation 4 versions will be visible almost immediately. The development team has gone to impressive lengths to bring the natural world of Assassin's Creed's Caribbean to life.

The ocean will play a big part, obviously, so one of the key areas of improvement will be the way the sea reacts. There's a more dynamic and volatile version of the open water in the next-gen version, and even the shallow portions will be brought to life more realistically.

The same can also be said for the weather. Now rain drops will act independently, and be lit individually. Fog will react based on how the area it's present in is built, and puddles will splash and reflect more true to life.

Natural foliage is also seeing some adjustments in next-gen versions. Every last bit of foliage will be rendered in 3D, allowing it to react to the player as he moves through it, or as the wind and rain hits it.

Check out the full video for a detailed look at what's in store. The PlayStation 4 version of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag arrives on Nov. 15, while the Xbox One will get the sequel on Nov. 22.