Ubisoft Has Learned
By now it’s absolutely no secret that Assassin’s Creed Unity had a fairly rough start. It was quite the ambitious game and, like many ambitious games before it, the game struggled under its own weight. Critics weren’t kind and neither were many fans of this long running franchise. Ubisoft listened, and with the complaints and feedback, they not only began to fix Unity, but endeavored to make something greater. That greater game is officially Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate looks to deliver a more focused experience that takes players through the dark, crime-infested underworld of Victorian Era London. While still as ambitious (if not more so) as Unity, Ubisoft promises to use everything they learned to make Assassin’s Creed Syndicate the smoothest, fastest, and largest Assassin’s Creed game to date.
A Step Closer to Now
Taking place within Victorian Era London allows for some great elements to be introduced to the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Since Assassin’s Creed Syndicate takes place after the industrial revolution, there is this newfound sense of urban life that was noticeably absent from previous installments in the series. Yes, they had crowds, tall buildings, and some forms of transportation. But, there was a lack of the hustle and bustle that is known to drive modern cities.
With the introduction of new technologies, both a boon and a detriment to society, the world of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate seems more alive. From the pollution hanging over the slums, to the people waiting for trains and carriages, and the sheer amount of AI rushing to their destinations to make some money (be it by honest, or ill-begotten means). None of this is for show, giving Jacob, the newest protagonist to don the hood, a living city to be a part of rather than just run through.
While Assassin’s Creed Syndicate takes place well over 100 years before present day, it looks to be the closest thing to a modern day city that the franchise has ever delivered.
Get Around Like a Boss
One thing that the developers of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate are apparently going for is the ability to get around the city with speed and ease. Some may be thinking, “Don’t they say something along those lines every time?” That’s right, but this time, Ubisoft Quebec has put its money where its mouth is. Everything in the game is there to help you be the most bad-ass assassin you can hope to be, and that all begins with getting around the sprawling city of London.
High-speed horse-drawn carriages are everywhere and they’re free for the taking. Commandeer stage coaches to get around the city, run enemies down, or get the heck out of dodge. If driving isn’t exactly your thing but you need the speed offered by carriages, surf on top of them and feel free to hop between other vehicles as you fight enemies. Of course, vehicles aren’t the only way to get around in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.
The Rope Launcher acts as both a grappling hook and zip-line, allowing for Jacob to quickly scale tall buildings, or move between distant locations. When tied in with all the new assassination and stealth capabilities, this may just be the greatest new addition so far.
Combat Evolved
The Assassin’s Creed franchise has always had a very particular style of combat. Even when they tried to change it up a bit in Assassin’s Creed III, players still controlled an assassin who lived in a time where it was okay to walk around armed. That allowed for long swords, rifles, multiple holsters, and all other types of elements that just couldn’t realistically exist in a modern city. This is something that the developers of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate recognized, and have masterfully used to their advantage.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate has a heavier focus on smaller, concealed weapons that can be used at close range or stealthily from afar. No walking around with gilded rapiers for the newest protagonist, just a kukri, brass knuckles, throwing daggers, revolvers, and whatever other small arms he can keep inside of his jacket. Since Jacob has a flair for the aggressive, players will even be able to forgo blades and beat the ever loving snot out of whoever crosses them.
In a sense, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate‘s combat veers a bit closer to that of the Batman Arkham games. Closer, heavier combat that relies on speed and force as players juggle multiple enemies, each presenting their own kind of risk. Add in the interactive elements that will now be scattered throughout the newest Assassin’s Creed and you have a recipe for a refined, visceral brutality unseen in the franchise before.
Men and Women: Gangs of London
The main characters in the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Syndicate reside amongst the poor and forgotten. Having been raised by assassins, that is something that both Jacob and Evie Frye just can’t stand for, so they take it upon themselves to reclaim hold of their decaying city. Of course, to do so they would need a lot of help, and who better than the men and women who make up the street gangs of London?
Ubisoft learned another important lesson from their time with Unity, and now women are a much more common presence on the screen in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. Whether it’s Evie keeping her brother Jacob grounded, or Bloody Nora wreaking havoc on the people, both the Templars and Assassins are much more varied. Yes, the Assassin’s Creed franchise has had important female characters (one was even playable), but even with those chosen few there was always a notable lack of women during battles.
The rumor concerning the playable female protagonist (rumored to be Evie Frye) wasn’t addressed at the reveal, but with the direction the Assassin’s Creed Syndicate seems to be taking, it doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch anymore, and that’s something everyone could be happy about.
Although it was only a brief glimpse, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate has shown plenty to be excited about. From its new, industrial city, all the way down to the souls who inhabit it, there is a certain greatness to this game. As we look forward to more information concerning this upcoming release, what are some things that got you excited about the reveal? Anything that you hope will be shown in the coming months? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
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