Assassin’s Creed Syndicate takes players back to one of the most transformative periods in history—the Industrial Revolution—bringing the gritty, rapidly evolving world of Victorian London to life. As the 19th century dawns, London is caught in the throes of social upheaval, technological progress, and political unrest.
This setting serves as the backdrop for a dynamic and thrilling narrative, in which players assume the roles of twin assassins, Jacob and Evie Frye. Navigating the dark streets and towering industrial landscapes of a city on the brink of a new age. With its blend of historical accuracy, rich character development, and very innovative gameplay, Syndicate stands as one of the most immersive and exciting entries in the Assassin’s Creed Syndicate franchise.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Set in 1868, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate immerses players in the heart of the Industrial Revolution, a period when London became a center of innovation and industry. This was a time when the city’s skyline began to transform with factories, smokestacks, and burgeoning industries, while the streets below remained teeming with both the privileged elite and the oppressed working class.
- Twin Protagonists: Jacob and Evie Frye: One of the standout features of Syndicate is its dual-protagonist system, allowing players to control both Jacob and Evie Frye. Each character arcs offers a distinct approach to gameplay, offering variety and depth to the player experience. Jacob, the more impulsive and brash of the two, is a master of brutal combat and focuses on using force to achieve his goals.
His fighting style is aggressive, utilizing heavy-handed attacks, which makes him highly effective in direct confrontations. Jacob’s personality is driven by a desire to disrupt the Templar influence on London, and his story is often centered on his pursuit of power and justice through violent means. In contrast, Evie is the more measured and strategic of the twins.
- Gang Warfare: Dominating London’s Underworld: A key aspect of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is the inclusion of gang warfare, where players take control of London’s underworld through the creation and management of their own gang, known as the “Rooks.”
This new feature adds a strategic layer to the game, as players are tasked with battling rival gangs like the Blighters, led by the sinister Templar Crawford Starrick, who seeks to control the entire city.
- Stealth and Combat: A Refined Approach: As with previous Assassin’s Creed titles, Syndicate offers a balance of stealth and combat mechanics. The game refines the series’ signature parkour system, giving players greater fluidity and freedom when navigating the urban sprawl of London.
Whether scaling rooftops, leaping between train carriages, or swinging from one building to another, the traversal in Syndicate feels seamless and exciting. The addition of zip lines and grappling hooks, used to quickly move between buildings, adds a fresh dynamic to navigation.
- Historical Figures: A Glimpse into Victorian London: Syndicate does an excellent job of blending historical fiction with real-world figures. Throughout the game, players will interact with famous personalities from the Victorian era, including Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria, and Alexander Graham Bell.
These figures are integrated into the storyline, offering additional quests that tie into their respective historical contributions. For instance, players will help Charles Dickens uncover a mysterious conspiracy or assist Bell with his experiments on early telecommunication devices.
A Thrilling Gameplay Evolution Through Victorian London
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate offers one of the most richly detailed and exciting settings in the Assassin’s Creed series. Its focus on the Industrial Revolution and its depiction of a rapidly changing London set the stage for a thrilling adventure filled with gang warfare, intricate storytelling, and gameplay evolution mechanics.
The dynamic between the twin protagonists, Jacob and Evie Frye, brings a fresh and engaging perspective to the series, while the game’s historical accuracy and interaction with real-world figures add depth to the narrative. If you enjoy open-world action-adventure games with a rich historical backdrop, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is sure to leave a lasting impression.