Publisher: EA / Starbreeze Studios
Cert: 18+
Platform: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC
Genre: First Person Shooter
The original Syndicate was a real time strategy Cyberpunk game which quickly turned into a cult classic, after it 1993 release. The reboot is a polished if uninspired affair set in 2069, in a world controlled by rival corporations or syndicates.
The developers have spent a lot of time getting the look and feel of the game right and the outdoor set-pieces compare favourably to Blade Runner. However, this reboot amounts to little more than a first person shooter with some RPG-lite character customisation features. The shooting mechanics are meaty and satisfying and some of the puzzles are suitable challenging. However, the game doesn't trust the player to explore the world properly. One example is the mandatory training missions, which force the player to complete uninspired challenges and somehow manage the break the flow of a potentially immersive campaign.
At least the co-op is good fun. The online mode doesn’t require an online pass either, which means the game should hold its trade-in value longer than other new releases. That said, this reboot is a good example of a game that was perfected years ago and which should have been left alone.
Buy or Rent: Rent
Graphics: 5/5
Gameplay: 3/5
Replay Value: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Reviewed by: Bryan Collins
