Which Assassin’s Creed game introduced the modern naval warfare system?

Assassin’s Creed III introduced the modern naval warfare system in the main Assassin’s Creed series.

The game includes naval missions in which Connor commands the ship Aquila and fights enemy vessels along the North American coast. Players steer the ship, adjust speed, fire cannons, and use environmental conditions during battles.

These sequences became important enough that Ubisoft expanded naval exploration into the central structure of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Black Flag is therefore often remembered as the franchise’s major naval game, but the system debuted in Assassin’s Creed III.

The naval sections fit the game’s setting during the American Revolution, when control of Atlantic sea routes had strategic importance. The Aquila is distinct from Black Flag’s Jackdaw, which belongs to Edward Kenway.