Assassin’s Creed Syndicatehas been out for six years now, and in that time it has stood as a bit of an oddball in theAssassin’s Creedfranchise. The game follows the classicAssassin’s Creedformula while also introducing elements that would influence the current shift in tone of the series.
With all of this in mind, it begs the question of whether or notAssassin’s Creed Syndicateis still worth playing when the series has evolved so much since its release.Assassin’s Creed Origins, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey,and the most recentAssassin’s Creed Valhallahave greatly expanded the franchise past whatSyndicateprovided. Below the surface however,Assassin’s Creed Syndicateis a truly worthwhile experience that represents what made the franchise so popular to begin with. The game has so much character and life to it, that even after all this time, there are still reasons to give it a try.
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AAA Game For A Fraction Of The Price
One of the biggest reasons whyAssassin’s Creed Syndicateis worth playing today is the fact that the game can be found at some pretty reasonable prices. The game is consistently listed in the $30 range, as opposed to the $60 that it launched at. In addition to this price cut, the game routinely goes on sale for even cheaper, and if it can be found pre-owned at a retailer likeGameStop, then that’s another deal in its own right. The game’s DLC can also be found on sale from time to time, that way players can expand their experience without having to pay full MSRP.
Classic Assassin’s Creed Gameplay
Ever sinceAssassin’s Creed Originsreleased in 2017, the franchise has been much more focused on delivering open-world RPG experiences than previous entries.Assassin’s Creed Syndicatestands as the last title in the series to follow the classicAssassin’s Creedstyle of sneaking through city streets in order to take down Templars. While recent installments have been praised for this change in direction, there’s still a level of charm to what made the franchise so popular to begin with. The game demonstrates the years of experience that Ubisoft had built up with this formula, showing its progression from the firstAssassin’s CreedtoSyndicate.
Two Playable Characters In Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Perhaps the most unique thing aboutAssassin’s Creed Syndicateis the fact that players are given control of two distinct Assassins, twinsJacob and Evie Frye. This marks the first time that a mainlineAssassin’s Creedgame has had a playable, female protagonist. Each character was given their own unique combat specialties, with Jacob being more of a brute and Evie relying more on stealth, and they each had their own distinct missions that were interwoven to make up the main narrative. It was certainly an experimental approach at the time, and it’s one that has yet to be fully replicated inACgames since.
The Atmosphere Of Victorian London
Out of all of the mainlineAssassin’s Creedgames,Syndicateputs players in the closest era to the present, Victorian London. The world that Ubisoft established with this game is one of the most detailed of anyAssassin’s Creedinstallment.The atmosphere of Londonis fully realized, with bustling city streets and the sounds of industry abound. Some of the most iconic views in London can be explored, including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Tower of London. It’s the closest players can get to visiting the historic city without actually booking a flight.
The Industrial Revolution
In addition to the Victorian setting of the game,Assassin’s Creed Syndicatealso takes place at the tail end of the Industrial Revolution. This time period was marked by tremendous technological advancement, and a lot of this new technology can be used in the game. The firearms that Jacob and Evie have at their disposal are the most advanced in theAssassin’s Creedseries, and the base of operations for the twins is on a moving locomotive. It may not be as customizable asthe homestead inValhalla, but it’s am excellent representation of the time and really adds to the immersion.
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A Grounded Assassin’s Creed Story
TheAssassin’s Creedseries has always blended a bit of historical fiction with the mystical.The story of the Isu and the Great Catastropheis one that has permeated much of the franchise ever since the first game, and it varies in popularity based on different groups of fans. Much of the consensus seems to be that the storylines can get a little convoluted, and this is whereAssassin’s Creed Syndicatecomes in to address those concerns. Compared to other installments,Syndicateis much more grounded in its story, revolving more around political power struggles rather than ancient beings.
The Gang Mechanic in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
One of major facets of the more grounded story inSyndicatehas to do with Jacob Frye putting together his own street gang in order to combat the Templar controlled gang that serves as the game’s regular suite of antagonists. In a style verysimilar toAssassin’s Creed Brotherhoodand some later installments, players are given near total control of this gang to use as they like. The more territories a player controls, the more prevalent the appearance of their gang will be, allowing them to call on members from almost every corner of the map to help with certain objectives. It really adds to the feeling of taking over London’s streets.
The Rope Launcher
MostAssassin’s Creedtitles will attempt to add one gameplay element that’s never been seen in the series before, and work it into the game as much as possible.Assassin’s Creed Unityhad the phantom blade,Assassin’s Creed 3had the rope dart, andAssassin’s Creed Syndicatehad the rope launcher. Even if it did violate some laws of physics, the rope launcher helped make traversal a more engaging experience with London’s increased verticality and wide city streets. Assassinations are also more dynamic thanks to the rope launcher, as players are able to create ziplines and take down enemies in ways that were never possible in past games.
Engaging Combat
TheAssassin’s Creedfranchise shines its brightest in its moments of stealth, but there have been times where active combat gets a little questionable.The trilogy of games focused on Ezioare perhaps the most infamous for this, where players got better results waiting to counter enemies rather than actively attacking them.Assassin’sCreed Syndicatedemonstrates one of the biggest departures from this yet by providing a robust combat system that’s based on aggressive attacks and building up a combo. The suite of weapons available are also some of the most diverse in theAssassin’s Creedseries, including cane swords and brass knuckles.
Precursor To The Current Assassin’s Creed Games
At this point, it’s clear there are stark differences betweenAssassin’s Creed Syndicateand the last three games in the franchise. At the same time however, there are so many things fromSyndicatethat can be found in the current games, showing howSyndicateleft its mark on the franchise. The two playable characters of Jacob and Evie served as a precursor to giving playersthe option between a male or female protagonist inOdysseyandValhalla. Meanwhile, the free-flowing combat ofSyndicateprovided the blueprint for the hit-box system that’s been in place sinceOrigins.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicatemay be a far cry from the last fewAssassin’s Creedgames, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still worth playing today. It truly is one of the most refined classicAssassin’s Creedexperiences, combining elements of every game before it to make one memorable experience. It’s anAssassin’s Creedgame that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while still delivering the same gameplay and parkour action that fans have come to expect. With how successful the last fewAssassin’s Creedgames have been, fans may never get to havea classicAssassin’s Creedexperienceagain, makingSyndicatethe last in a long line of industry-changing games.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicateis available now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
