Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag: PS3 Review

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag: PS3 Review

Released by UBISOFT
Platform: PS3

There's just something about Assassin's Creed that sucks you into the world within and strips you of your life.

In this latest though, the developers have managed to take things to the next level in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag as you take on the role of Edward Kenway, a pirate on the seven seas. An accidental meeting with one of the Brotherhood forces him into the shadowy world of the Templars. But there's slightly more to the story this time around than simply stealth and killing - however, to say more would ruin the experience of it unfolding before your eyes.

Once again, UBISOFT has created a world that sings with visual flair and erupts with options. You can simply follow the quest path and the story, or your character of Kenway can be distracted by the minutiae of the side missions and lives within. Weaponry is confined to that of the era and it seriously needs your investment within - but of course that costs money and as ever, just simply pilfering from those around you won't quite cut it, and will bring the attention of the various guards around.

It has to be said that this time, the guards seem to be a lot harder to run away from as they pursue you relentlessly with their numbers growing ever quicker as the alarms are sounded. It means stealth and smarts are needed this time around rather than simply taking to the rooves and hurtling through the skies to try and escape them. Plus as they manage to hit their target as you're trying to climb, it really does raise the ante.

The other way Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag has raised the ante is visually. It's a beautiful game with some truly awe inspiring graphics, from the skies as Kenway takes in his vantage points, there are details which seriously impress and colours which are beautiful to behold. Particularly looking out to sea, an array of blues and azures are gorgeously rendered and hint at a world that's teeming with life.

And talking of the sea, you can't have pirates without water based boating action. And boy, oh boy, does Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag deliver on that front. You get the chance to sail the seas, plundering ships, taking down bad guys and boarding boats to secure treasure. It's a nice new element to the game which adds a clever touch and some variety within.

There's also another layer to the game - that of an involvement in a future company and one who's looking at Edward's memories for a reason - but again, that's into spoiler territory and the joy shouldn't be taken away from it. Needless to say this other level doesn't interrupt the flow of the main game too much, but does add a lot to it.

All in all, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is a worthy addition to the AC canon; it is a deeply involving experience, a free world where you can spend hours exploring and trying to find things and a simulation that's as engrossing as it is deep.

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