I haven’t felt the need to jump into an Assassin’s Creed game since the franchise decided to finish the third game with a chase sequence designed by the seventh circle of hell. And since then, there’s been plenty more backstabbing shenanigans carried out in the trippy world of genetic memories and simulations.
This year, the franchise swings back into action with a Cockney flavour set in the heart of England’s Industrial Age, as players tackle a story starring the Frye siblings. So, is it any good then guv’nah?
GameSpot – 9/10
Coupled with strong, loveable leads and a seemingly endless procession of ways to leave your (fictional) mark on London’s history, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is a shining example of gameplay and storytelling.
Polygon – 8.5/10
That’s really Assassin’s Creed Syndicate‘s biggest triumph: It pushes back against the collected cruft of eight years of releases and spinoffs, an imposing accumulation of mechanics and lore and expectations.
Syndicate doesn’t get everything right. It doesn’t solve all of the series’ problems, and at this point, I’m not sure if any one game could. However, it’s the first step in a uniformly positive direction that the franchise has taken in years.
IGN – 8.2/10
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is the most fun I’ve had with an Assassin’s game since Black Flag. In fact, I liked it more. Apart from its ill-fitting conclusion, it never takes itself too seriously and delights in the rich possibilities of its Victorian setting and great new grapple gun.
As you explore its contrasting boroughs, you glean some sense of what powered this great city in the 19th century.
Videogamer – 5/10
The greatest description of Ubisoft open world games, as noted here, is that they’re about the accumulation of power. It’s true: you feel a pleasing sense of progression as you take territory, peeling the enemy wallpaper from the map and seeing what’s underneath.
That still rings true here. Syndicate is a compulsive game, and in places a fine one. When it is good, when the AI is behaving and it’s running well, it’s very good. But Syndicate is so adept at self-sabotage that it’s nearly impossible to enjoy this world missions, this game.
It constantly rips you out of the experience, whether that be from frustration at the mechanics or outright bugginess. You’ll want to forgive it its flaws because it does Victorian London so well, something you just can’t get elsewhere. But leave it a few minutes and it reveals itself to be as utterly flawed as its forebears, a beautiful facade on a rotting core.
Last Updated: October 22, 2015
Mistake Not...
October 22, 2015 at 13:21
Not quite sure what to think -_-
Brady miaau
October 22, 2015 at 13:51
I think if you like that sort of actiony, fighty, stealthy game, it would be fun, according to the reviews above, even the 5/10.
For how long would it be fun, before the flaws pissed you off? Hah.
Mistake Not...
October 22, 2015 at 13:53
I’m waiting for LG’s review. I usually go from there.
Brady miaau
October 22, 2015 at 13:55
Yeah, no. not for me. None of the reviewers here truly match my game play needs and wants. Zoe comes close, though.
Grand Admiral Chief
October 22, 2015 at 13:59
Low blow detected
Brady miaau
October 22, 2015 at 14:11
How so? Each person is different and has different needs.
No low blow to detect, I am afraid to say.
Grand Admiral Chief
October 22, 2015 at 14:15
You need to dial up the humour meter dude, just a joke, a little stab at the writers
RinceThis
October 22, 2015 at 14:18
XD
Brady miaau
October 22, 2015 at 14:33
Sometimes I sees em, sometimes I don’t. I fret not when I don’t sees him, you see, cause I still sees em later.
Also, was not obvious was directed at writers at all.
Grand Admiral Chief
October 22, 2015 at 15:03
Oh the writers are a bunch of hacks, silly creatures, I always have to correct the spelling and all xD
Grand Admiral Chief
October 22, 2015 at 13:30
” But leave it a few minutes and it reveals itself to be as utterly flawed as its forebears, a beautiful facade on a rotting core”
EINA
Mistake Not...
October 22, 2015 at 13:42
That line’s almost Shakespearean.
Commander JJ of the Normandy
October 22, 2015 at 13:41
I’ll wait and see what customer reviews say. They tend to differ so much from these.
40 Insane Frogs
October 22, 2015 at 16:21
Always see what your fellow gamers say! Always!
Brady miaau
October 22, 2015 at 13:50
At least there is consistency in the reviews, regardless of the one score of 5. They all enjoyed the game.
Perhaps the last review (5/10) is the more realistic one, once the gloss is stripped of the new game. Seems to be the pattern these days, get game is awesome, after a little while the flaws come out and game opinion changes. (thanks for FFD on this, Geoff)
oVg
October 22, 2015 at 13:59
LOL from the Telegraph 4/10
“Syndicate is a massive shame. Ubisoft’s yearly development cycle is
really beginning to leave its mark on the series. Assassin’s Creed has
been good. It is a series that can be great, but unfortunately Syndicate
is a misstep. For a series concerned with making its players historical
tourists, it is ironic that it is so stuck in the past.”
When the game gets polarized reviews from critics I wait for the user reviews to balance the negative from the positive.
I will wait and see.
Grand Admiral Chief
October 22, 2015 at 14:01
AC has become the CoD of gaming
oVg
October 22, 2015 at 14:03
nope, its not that bad. It still has some soul left. A little more than a ginger.
RinceThis
October 22, 2015 at 14:08
You’d know 😛
WitWolfy
October 22, 2015 at 15:41
I wouldn’t go that far… At least Assassins creed’s open world doesnt look as bland and boring as MGS V… Yeah, I went there…
Kromas untamed
October 22, 2015 at 14:04
Here is my review.
You need to install Uplay
1/10
oVg
October 22, 2015 at 14:07
1 for the effort.
Kromas untamed
October 22, 2015 at 14:10
Felt that 0 makes it worthless and I am trying to make sure Vivendi sees some worth in the franchise so we can get a hostile takeover of Ubisoft.
oVg
October 22, 2015 at 14:11
lol
oVg
October 22, 2015 at 14:05
Bwahahahaha Its rated higher than Destiny on Metacritic.
RUNS
Jonah Cash
October 22, 2015 at 15:06
Eina!!!
WitWolfy
October 22, 2015 at 15:42
ANYTHING is better than Destiny… Even Leisure Shoot Larry Box Office BUST!!!
RinceThis
October 22, 2015 at 14:08
Eish. Yeah, I’m with the 5/10. What I played didn’t sit well with me at all.
oVg
October 22, 2015 at 14:10
At least it seems to be a more memorable narrative than the others. They tried, but the production conveyer belt at Ubi Factory number 4 needs to keep moving.
Now Factory number 5 need to start focusing on the Production of The Division.
RinceThis
October 22, 2015 at 14:14
They need to stop now. One game a year is fucking ludicrous It’s one thing if it’s a generic, CoD with no story (or a 4 hour story) but to make an open-world game once a year? No, that is MILKING it. And that’s the point, who gives a fuck about the review score if noobs will still buy it?
oVg
October 22, 2015 at 14:15
NOPE give it 60days before Assassins Creed JAPAN is revealed. NINJAS FTW
RinceThis
October 22, 2015 at 14:15
BWAHAHAHA!
oVg
October 22, 2015 at 14:15
You laugh… watch this space.
RinceThis
October 22, 2015 at 14:18
Oh I laugh because I know it will happen. People were asking for ninjas before London, now to go skin an old game in new clothes…
oVg
October 22, 2015 at 14:20
Well they did reveal Syndicate during the shit storm of Unity like nothing was happening lol.
They know gamers have the memory span of a goldfish. Even after the HATE that 3 got for its inconclusive ending they all still got excited for that other one with 4 player co-op then the 7th gen one then Unity… sigh.
RinceThis
October 22, 2015 at 14:23
Yeah. That irks me. Why gamers can’t actually complain with their wallet if beyond me…
oVg
October 22, 2015 at 14:30
Its all about reassurance or buyers remorse. They love it and they know it.
Loftus
October 22, 2015 at 14:21
I am going to be that grumpy old guy, If there is no Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad mention or reference in this i am going to gooi vloer moer!
WitWolfy
October 22, 2015 at 15:39
They didnt ref him in Unity either… Altair was just part of Desmonds story… These assassins could be from a different bloodline altogether.
Loftus
October 23, 2015 at 09:15
Trying to avoid all the hype with this one, i am thinking of getting back into AC. what’s your opinion ?
WitWolfy
October 23, 2015 at 10:45
Well my opinion play AC 4.. If you havent finished Desmonds story prepare for Spoilers… If that wont motivate you to continue playing the sequels after nothing will!
WitWolfy
October 22, 2015 at 15:36
Should I… OR shouldn’t I?
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
October 22, 2015 at 15:54
The 5/10 sounds much more believable than the 9/10… not only that but do we really need an annual AC?
40 Insane Frogs
October 22, 2015 at 16:21
Mmmm Polygon says it’s 8.5? Hahahahaha lolygon.
JustMe
October 24, 2015 at 00:24
It seems pretty simple – if you like Assassins Creed games, you’ll like this. If you don’t, you won’t, Myself, I am a fan of them and so I’ll probably like it. But it sounds like it won’t win new converts is all.