The short answer is no, Assassin‘s Creed 3 is not available for free on PC as of now in 2023. The base game was removed from digital retailers several years ago, and the only way to get AC3 currently is via the remastered edition which is a paid version.
However, read on as we dive into comprehensive details on whether it is possible to get AC3 for free in any way, what are the best legal options to play this classic AC title on PC, and other insights from a gaming expert perspective!
Obtaining AC3 Remastered for Free Legally – Is it Possible?
As an avid gaming enthusiast myself, I totally understand the desire of Assassin‘s Creed fans to experience this iconic game set during the American Revolution without paying anything. Unfortunately Ubisoft has not offered the AC3 Remastered edition for free officially so far.
However, based on past giveaways and promotions, there are a few ways to keep an eye out for grabbing this AC3 remaster free legally:
Ubisoft Forward Events: Ubisoft‘s showcase events have unlocked free access to AC games for limited periods in the past. Keep watching out for any AC3 Remastered free deal.
Epic Mega Sales: The Epic Games Store Mega Sale has historically offered steep discounts of up to 75% on AC titles. AC3 Remastered going for under $10 is very much possible.
Amazon Prime Gaming: Connecting your Amazon Prime and Ubisoft accounts gives free games every month. AC3 Remastered has been given away via this in the past.
Limited Time Free Weekends: On occasions like game anniversaries or festivals, AC titles have been free to play for a weekend. You can finish AC3 in a weekend!
Giveaways on Gaming Subreddits: Fellow gamers often share spare game codes on subreddits. You may get lucky finding an AC3 code giveaway.
So while not guaranteed, keeping a lookout on these major gaming channels during special events and sales can potentially get you AC3 Remastered without spending money!
What‘s the Next Best Option to Play AC3 on PC?
Unfortunately, Ubisoft has removed the ability to purchase the original Assassin‘s Creed 3 on digital PC platforms like Steam and Uplay. This has been done to promote the Remastered edition which offers improved gameplay and visuals.
My expert advice would be to wait for discounts on AC3 Remastered during seasonal sales on the Ubisoft Store, Epic Games Store or Steam. The game often goes for 50-75% off dropping the price to around $10-15. At that affordable pricing, AC3 Remastered is definitely the best way to experience this fantastic game on modern PCs.
Alternatively, you can check out some great Assassin‘s Creed games that are available for free legally on PC:
- Assassin‘s Creed Origins on Ubisoft Connect for 100 units
- Assassin‘s Creed Syndicate was free on Epic Games in the past
- Assassin‘s Creed Unity has been offered for free on Ubisoft Store
While these do not provide the same experience as AC3, they are still solid free options for Assassin‘s Creed fans on a budget.
AC3 Remastered PC Requirements – Can Your PC Handle It?
Assassin‘s Creed 3 Remastered demands relatively modern PC hardware due to its enhanced graphics and textures compared to the original version. Before purchasing it, make sure your system meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for smooth performance:
Minimum Requirements:
- Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Intel Core i5-2400s or AMD FX-6350 (2.5 GHz)
- 6 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon R9 270 (2 GB VRAM)
For 1080p Low-Medium settings @ 30fps
Recommended Requirements:
- Windows 10 64-bit
- Intel Core i7-3770 or AMD FX-8350 (3.5 GHz)
- 8 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290X (4GB VRAM)
For 1080p High-Ultra settings @ 60fps
The Remastered edition particularly demands more VRAM due to the high resolution textures. My PC tips would be to have a 4GB+ graphics card at minimum, 8GB RAM, and a quad core processor from the last 5 years or so. This can provide smooth 60fps gameplay at High settings at the very least.
What‘s the Download Size of AC3 Remastered on PC?
Here are the download and installed sizes for Assassin‘s Creed 3 Remastered on PC:
- Download Size: 45 – 50 GB
- Installed Size: 55 – 60 GB
The download itself is quite large nearing 50GB. Make sure you have a high-speed broadband connection for seamless downloading. Additionally, have around 60GB free space on your hard drive or gaming SSD before installing.
The beefed up textures and assets compared to the original AC3 contribute to this enlarged file size. However, the result is a massively improved visual experience that makes this remaster a treat to play on PC monitors or 4K TVs.
Estimated Game Length of AC3 Remastered
While game length depends a lot on individual playstyle, here is an approximate completion time for the main story and extra content of AC3 Remastered:
- Main Story: 15 – 20 hours
- Main + Extras: 25 – 30 hours
- Completionist Run: 40 – 50 hours
Assassin‘s Creed games are known for having massive open worlds and AC3 is no exception. Just playing through the critical path and main missions takes around 16-20 hours.
For those who like to explore the world completely and do all side quests, collecting everything, playing on harder difficulties etc – you‘re looking at a 40-50 hour gameplay experience for 100% completion!
AC3 Remastered – Well Worth Playing in 2022?
Having played through the remaster myself, I highly recommend Assassin‘s Creed 3 Remastered to all fans of the franchise and open world action games. Here are some of the biggest reasons why it stands tall even in 2022:
Enhanced Visuals: The environments, animations, cutscenes and characters look and play amazingly well. This alone makes it worth experiencing.
Solid Modernized Gameplay: The gameplay mechanics have been upgraded nicely providing smooth free running, combat and parkour.
Excellent Setting of American Revolution: Not many open world games leverage this historical setting. It is a refreshing and unique experience.
Brilliant Naval Combat: AC3 introduced naval battles which are so much fun and dynamic even today.
Huge Open World: The Frontier, New York and Boston maps give you dozens of hours of exploration across eras.
Rope Launcher for Mobility: The new grappling hook rope launcher makes traversing buildings super fun.
Overall, even a decade later, Assassin‘s Creed 3 Remastered provides a stellar open-world action experience. Its enhanced nature makes it the definitive way to enjoy AC3 in 2022, especially for first time players.
Tips to Get Assassin‘s Creed Games at Low Prices on PC
As a deal hunter myself, I wanted to share some tips for fellow gamers on how you can acquire not just AC3 Remastered but other Assassin‘s Creed titles cheaply on PC:
Always check for current discounts on games on Steam, Epic, Ubisoft Store before purchasing.
Buying during seasonal or holiday sales can reduce prices by 50-75% or more.
Bundles like the Assassin‘s Creed Ezio Collection offer great value-for-money.
Sites like GG.Deals aggregate game deals across multiple stores and are a great way to find lowest prices.
Having games on your Steam Wishlist will notify you of any discounts automatically.
Ubisoft+ subscription gives you access to 100+ Ubisoft games for a low monthly fee.
Following these tips, getting AC games around $10-15 is very much possible. Waiting for bigger discounts like 75% off can even reduce prices further to as low as $5-10 per AC title!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the multiplayer mode playable in AC3 Remastered?
Unfortunately no. Ubisoft shut down the online multiplayer servers for Assassin‘s Creed 3 and other older AC titles permanently in September 2022. Only the single player campaign is playable now.
Can I import my original AC3 progress into Remastered?
No this is not possible either sadly. AC3 Remastered is considered a separate title, so your save data and progression from the original AC3 does not carry over.
How is AC3 Remastered different from the original?
The remaster offers greatly improved graphics, 4K support, upgraded gameplay, new missions like Benedict Arnold, all DLCs, revamped cutscenes, new character models, and many other enhancements.
Does AC3 Remastered have controller support on PC?
Yes, it offers full controller support for Xbox controllers, DualShock 4 and other gamepads. Controls and button prompts for controllers are displayed seamlessly.
Is AC3 Remastered well-optimized for PC?
Yes, Ubisoft has done an excellent job with the PC port optimization. The game runs very smoothly out of the box and is configurable across a wide spectrum of PC hardware.
Final Verdict – Experience This Action-Packed Historical Assassin‘s Adventure
At its current price point, I highly recommend picking up Assassin‘s Creed 3 Remastered during a discount to experience this brilliant entry in the long-running franchise. The American Revolution setting provides an immensely refreshing open world to explore with tons of activities like naval battles, hunting, historical figures and more.
The enhancements make AC3 Remastered the ideal way to enjoy this game in modern times. And you might just get lucky finding it for free legally during some Ubisoft giveaway or Epic free promotion. So keep an eye out for deals and discounts, but eventually add this gem into your PC gaming library.
Happy assassinating!
