When Assassin’s Creed Syndicate was released in 2015, the franchise was in the middle of a transitional period. Not only was it trying to bounce back after the negatively-received Assassin’s Creed Unity, but it was also the last game to use the third-person action-adventure direction before moving into an RPG style. Because of its timing, Syndicate is in a weird spot: it’s fun enough to play, but not significant enough to stand out. However, after six years, it’s clear that the game is a great reminder of how much fun the Assassin’s Creed franchise can be.
Syndicate‘s narrative has no larger significance on the modern-day struggles of the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order. Instead, it feels like a slice-of-life adventure in the world of Assassin’s Creed. Still, what the story lacks a larger impact it makes up for though Easter eggs from past adventures. The largest one is a level where players can explore the home of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag protagonist Edward Kenway. The level explores a previously unknown portion of the character’s life while also progressing the game’s main story.
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Assassin’s Creed Syndicate also responded to criticism of Unity by making changes to the combat system. In Unity, players fought through Arno’s story with a parry instead of a counter button. This made combat more intricate, but considering the game’s buggy state at launch, it ultimately created more problems than it was worth. In response, Syndicate reintroduced a counter button and adjusted combat to be more like Assassin’s Creed III and Black Flag. A side-effect of this change was reminding players how the older titles felt, injecting a pleasant sense of nostalgia.
Over the course of the Assassin’s Creed games, combat has evolved to be less carefree and more strategic. In Valhalla, it is far more beneficial to wait for an opportune moment to strike, as there’s a stamina bar that keeps players from rushing into battle and a level cap that makes certain opponents far more challenging than others. While still entertaining, this creates more of a learning curve than the older titles had.
However, what’s most crucial in making Assassin’s Creed Syndicate a fun experience is its protagonists, Jacob and Evie Frye. From the beginning, it’s evident that these twins love being assassins and will honor the code until the end. Their relationship as siblings makes their witty banter more fun and interesting to listen to, and this is something the other assassins have not had. Most Assassin’s Creed protagonists are brooding and focused on seeking justice or revenge. Even Ezio Auditore can’t escape the stigma surrounding the protagonists. Thankfully, the Frye twins represent a different type of assassin that reflects the crass setting of Industrial Revolution-era London.
While Assassin’s Creed Syndicate isn’t the most memorable entry in the franchise, it makes up for its lack of overall impact by offering a great and fun experience. From its gameplay and story to its characters, Syndicate reminds the players that the franchise can have fun, despite most entries being dark and serious.
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