Syndicate

Having cut my gaming teeth on the original Syndicate on my trusty Amiga 500, I was both excited and cautious to see what Starbreeze Studios had in store for the modern audience with their reboot. I knew Syndicate was transitioning into a first-person shooter, a departure from its isometric roots, but my curiosity was piqued. Set in the dystopian future of 2069, the game boasts an action-packed narrative following Miles Kilo, a EuroCorp agent tasked with eliminating executives from rival corporations. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, it is-don't expect any deep plot twists or convoluted storylines here; it's all about the action.

The campaign unfolds linearly, thrusting you into the shoes of a lone soldier navigating striking cyberpunk environments while combating a range of mercenaries and cyber-enhanced foes. The gameplay is straightforward: run, shoot, and repeat. Syndicate makes no pretense about stealth; if you want to get the job done, you're going to need to unleash a flurry of gunfire. The pacing is relentless, and to its credit, the game excels in delivering heart-pounding sequences, with each level offering plenty of opportunities for chaos.

One of the game's standout features is its solid arsenal, featuring the classic trio of firearms: pistols, shotguns, and rifles. The fact that each weapon has a secondary fire option is a nostalgic touch and one that I've found lacking in many modern shooters. It elevates the gunplay experience, making combat feel dynamic and engaging. For those looking to enhance their abilities, you can also upgrade Miles with various combat perks like improved movement and bullet time-essentially giving you the upper hand in this high-stakes world.

Visually, Syndicate is impressive for its time, boasting a vibrant aesthetic that feels reminiscent of J. J. Abrams' signature style, complete with lens flares and sleek character animations. However, it's the audio that truly stands out, particularly the gun sound design. The weapons have an immense feeling of impact that rivals even the likes of Crysis 2. Each shot is immersive, making the gunplay all the more enjoyable.

The voice acting also deserves a special mention. With talents like Brian Cox and Michael Wincott lending their voices to the project, you're bound to be treated with top-notch performances. Cox delivers a reliable presence as your boss, while Wincott's raspy, unmistakable tone perfectly encapsulates the cyberpunk vibe, enhancing the experience and tying the narrative to its dystopian roots.

Clocking in at around 7 hours for the single-player campaign, Syndicate is an excellent choice for gamers who appreciate quick yet gratifying experiences. It offers a great way to dive into the thrilling world of cybernetic combat without the commitment of lengthy storylines. If you're looking for a solid FPS with a stylish aesthetic and engaging combat, this game is definitely worth checking out.

Overall, Syndicate stands strong as a polished reboot of the classic franchise, successfully merging nostalgic elements with modern gameplay mechanics. I wholeheartedly recommend it for those short on time but looking to enjoy a satisfying gameplay experience. 9/10.

This cyberpunk-style shooter left an incredible impression. From the very beginning, the game immerses you in a futuristic world where technological progress and danger lurk around every corner. The captivating storyline keeps you on edge throughout, constantly making you wonder what will happen next. The game not only develops the main character well but also introduces interesting side characters, each with their own motivation and role in the story. The plot twists are intriguing and add depth to the overall narrative.

Special mention goes to the graphics. The developers truly outdid themselves in terms of the game's visual aspect. Each level feels unique, and the futuristic setting with its bright neon lights creates a feeling of total immersion in the cyberpunk world. Cityscapes are highly detailed, from old, abandoned districts to high-tech buildings. The atmosphere of a dystopian future, where decaying technology and corporate control are palpable, is perfectly captured. Those who appreciate detailed world-building in games will be impressed.

However, it's not just the visuals that deserve praise. The shooting mechanics in the game are top-notch. The sense of control during combat and the overall dynamic of battle scenes are well-maintained throughout. The main character has access to a wide arsenal of weapons, allowing every player to choose their preferred playstyle. Whether it's wielding powerful assault rifles or sniping from a distance, the shooting feels satisfying. Additionally, the ability to upgrade the character's skills makes combat even more engaging and varied.

The protagonist's skill system deserves particular attention. It makes the gameplay even more exciting by allowing players to adapt the character to their preferred style. You can develop your character into a master of stealth, enhancing stealth abilities and hacking skills, or turn them into a formidable fighter capable of withstanding heavy enemy attacks and dealing massive damage. This system encourages multiple playthroughs, each time choosing different approaches to completing objectives. It makes the gameplay not only enjoyable but also diverse.

It's also worth mentioning the enemies. The game features different types of adversaries, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. This forces players to constantly adjust their tactics, using different strategies to achieve victory. Some enemies may be more resistant to standard weapons, while others require a specific approach. The variety of enemies adds dynamic gameplay and ensures the player doesn't get bored.

Overall, this cyberpunk shooter stands out from other similar games. It features a well-thought-out storyline that captivates from start to finish, as well as excellent gameplay with a well-executed shooting and skill system. Thanks to the deep world-building and the ability to customize your playstyle, this game will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on anyone who plays it. It's a must-play for fans of cyberpunk as well as those simply looking for a quality shooter with RPG elements.

The worst thing can be is boring and this is boring with this sad. They made the chronicles of Riddick and the darkness video game but it just feels like they were asked to made a generic first person shooter and they did the best they could and sadly it was not fun.

It doesn't help that playing this on a Xbox 360 fills really uncomfortable with all the bloom and lighting and all the things that just doesn't look good.

They are forcing this system to do things it was not meant to do. The shooting is satisfying but at a point they get armored enemies that take so many bullets that is stopped being engaging to fight them. The story is just there.

It's hard to give a s*** about any character. It is really hard and it's just kind of there the story dark cyberpunk without any light of reason to live in it. It's just so draining.

This is a 2012 Game played in 2024. The story is a little weak, but if you like The Matrix, John Wick, Equilibrium (look it up). As a matter of fact it almost is the video game version of that movie, with a little Matrix and John Wick thrown in. Wild Gun play and Computerized Mind Control. The Music, Voice acting and Graphic hold up to today's standards. But it is Super Violent. It is like a Super R Rated movie. A ton of destruction goes on. But what makes it different is the ability to control others as you are fighting by hacking chips in others brains. This ability makes it way different than other shooters. If you are a fan of Sci Fi action, get this game. But it is not for kids...

I can't stop being annoyed by Starbreeze for this butchering of one of the best games of all time, the only reason I haven't created a voodoo dolls of the Starbreeze team is because they created the incredible Riddick Games. When I first heard about the remake of Syndicate I couldn't wait and then I put it in and disappointment is an understatement. It's a FPS not a great one but ok , it wants to be Deus Ex minus the great script and superior level design. If you want ok , this game is for you , if you want to play a remake of the incredible Syndicate game from Bullfrog , this is not it. Don't hate the developers two much for showing this lack of respect for Peter Molyneaux classic as they should be forgiven because the did create the Riddick games after all. Now if they do a remake of Dungeon Keeper as a sports game , the voodoo dolls will definitely be out.