ARTS. Have an idea for a story or review? Contact the editor at arts@theotherpress.ca It's a pirate’s life for me! Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag’ for PS3 review Steve Cayer, Senior Columnist BAA blAsa Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag sends you sailing the high seas of the Caribbean, plundering every ship that gets in your way. Some fans of the series were skeptical of the new game because many didn’t like Assassin’s Creed ITI (AC3) very much—myself not included. But Ubisoft has made a hit with the latest installment in the series. Black Flag is a prequel to AC3 and it’s a story of a new Abstergo employee in present day tasked with doing research on Edward Kenway, the grandfather of the main character of AC3, Connor Kenway. It’s the year 1715 and pirating is at the peak of its time. The game starts off a lot faster than its predecessor; no five- hour tutorial here. It begins with Ed running into a travelling merchant who is being held hostage by privateers. Being a pirate, Ed has to steal one of the uniforms. There I go again, doing too many side quests and not enough main missions. To be fair, though, that’s exactly what you're going to do in this game. Near the beginning, you get your own ship, the Jackdaw. The map in Black Flag is probably one of the biggest I’ve explored, including around 50 completely optional islands to explore and take over as your own. There’s just so much you can do, and that’s only the beginning. The online multiplayer option is still prevalent here and it’s never been better. If only it had online naval battles. Needless to say, you're going to have trouble putting this one down. Now let me get back to my game. a a i ee — Still frim Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Douglas College's ‘Steel Magnolias pulls on heartstring Cast chemistry goes a long way Arts Editor arts@ theotherpress.ca Yur laugh, you'll cry, and you'll wish your hairstylist was as friendly as Truvy Jones. Steel Magnolias presents a Louisiana group of women who support each other through the best and worst of times— whether it’s dealing with a bad hair day or getting through a tragic loss. The Douglas College Studio Theatre is wonderfully decorated as Truvy’s hair salon, with the set starting where the seats end so audience members feel like they’re in the salon with the characters. Alexandria Gamache gives a particularly outstanding performance as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, a young diabetic woman who refuses to take her mother’s advice regarding her health. From the minute her character has a diabetic episode that seems so real you almost want to rush over and offer assistance, it’s clear that Gamache knows how 8 to play this role. Heather Wyborn also makes an impression as the bubbly Truvy Jones, who can be crying her eyes out one minute and laughing like a child the next. Wyborn maintained her bubbly personality and Louisiana accent throughout the play. Even after sadder scenes that involved crying, she was able to end her tears and be her perky self again at a moment's notice. During the sold out opening night performance, the audience was very receptive to the six actors’ performances, laughing at their jokes and crying during their saddest conversations. Several attendees gave a standing ovation at the show’s close. If you want to see 1980s female bonding at its finest, then this is definitely the play to see. Steel Magnolias is playing until November 9 at the Studio Theatre at Douglas College’s New Westminster campus. Tickets are $10-12, and are available through Massey Theatre at 604-521-5050 or at tickets.masseytheatre.com Photo courtesy of www.hotelrachmaninov.com