pros: *great gameplay with amazing new features. *long lasting game. *amazing visuals. *truly open. *great naval combat. *great story. *greatly optimized. cons: *too easy for pros. *same old combat. *ai is a bit dumb.

I don't really get the point of this.... review? but 2 of your pros are contradicted in your cons, all 3 of them. Perhaps you want suggestions of other cons? The game was too focused on flags!

OP, would you recommend AC4 somebody who found...

1. Core assassins creed combat fun and engaging
2. Story in AC1 & ACII very good
3. Story in ACR & 3 Awful
4. Main character in AC3 awful
5. Open world in AC3 awful
6. Naval gameplay in AC3 boring
7. no interest in xp & level grinding (kill 5 sharks for ammo packs)

And lastly, does this game actually have good assassin missions unlike ACR & 3?

I haven't enjoyed an AssCreed game since the 2nd glorious installment. I will try out AC4, but I'm not going in with high expectations.

I was in the same position. Taking a 4 year break made the new one feel amazing, especially on PS4. 

I can fully understand anyone being tired of the series if they played every one. 

I don't really care much about the naval combat. Sadly, nearly 15 hours in I've found that almost half the time i've spent with the game involved using my ship.

I also much prefer the environments found in the first 2 installments. While I do like the change of scenery found in ACIV, I often find myself missing the large cities found in the first games.

However, overall it is still a good game.