Games Xtreme boards the Jackdaw and finds out if Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is destined to live a pirate's life, or sink to the bottom of the sea.

Another year has passed, and with it an additional Assassin's Creed game arrives in time for the Christmas season. After diverting the series to the American civil war era with last year's Assassin's Creed III, Ubisoft has this year moved it to the age of high seas and piracy with Assassin's Creed...

Well-tuned ship mechanics that make sailing and sea combat a breeze; No extended tutorial mode stopping you from enjoying the story

All of the side quests and added content can be overwhelming; Story and setting not quite as interesting as the renaissance era

Do not play this game… Unless you want to spend hours upon hours roaming the Caribbean and exploring the vast open world that is Black Flag. This game is seriously too fun for its own good.

This game is so cool , the graphics are breath-taking and a gripping story . Totally recommend !!!!

A solid but ultimately uninspired instalment in the series, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is comprised of ideas that are starting to wear thin. Anything but a major overhaul will do for the next game, especially given the fact that next-gen is almost upon us, and another title in the same mould...

Assassin's Creed swaps tall towers for poopdecks, but is this the pirate game we always wanted? Find out in our Assassin's Creed 4 review.

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is a smart, sprawling sequel that wisely places an emphasis on freedom and fun while trimming most of the fat that bogged down Assassin's Creed III's ambitious but uneven adventure.

Epic scope; Great side quests; Lighter tone; Beautiful moments

Disappointing main story

Edward Kenway isn't particularly noble, at least as far as Assassins go. He doesn't have Ezio's thirst for justice, Connor's earnestness, or Altair's selfless devotion to a cause. In fact, for much of Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag , he isn't really an Assassin at all; he's just a pirate who puts on...

+ Engrossing storyline that capably straddles historical pirate fiction and sci-fi strangeness; + Rich open world with tons of fun side activities

? If

A vast world, dozens of diversions, and characters that you can genuinely warm to. The sea-faring is spectacular, even on Xbox 360, and those familiar problems are much more forgiveable, when you're really enjoying the ride.

I rarely review things, but after reading the negative reviews, I felt obliged in this case. People are complaining its similar to Assassins Creed 3. Tell me, what did you expect? Now let me be clear, this is no GTA 5. But that's because its not meant to be!