Today Ubisoft Quebec unveiled Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, and if the reveal video assured us of anything, it’s that the game developer is listening to its fans to create the most ambitious and engaging game in the series yet.
The video began with a look back at the series, leading up to taglines of some of the disappointing reviews the last AC game, Unity, received. But Ubisoft dedicated themselves to take gamers into history, places where they couldn’t go. And after listening to all the feedback about Unity, they revealed the newest game, which will take place in 1868 at the center of the industrial age in London (a location which had already been announced when ACS was tentatively titled Victory).
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate follows sibling’s Jacob and Evie Frye, who are among the lower class citizens at the time. Using street gangs and slums, they’ll build their legacy and take down the high class Templars who control the city. Evie will be more skilled and mature than her brother, Jacob, acting as his guide at times. Ubisoft described Jacob as a more brutal and confrontational character. His life is about the thrill and the chase. Both characters will be playable in the game.
New to the series are a variety of features and gameplay mechanics. While previous AC games featured a sword wielding character, this game is more brutal and physical by using a hand to hand combat system. Watching the gameplay video I was reminded more of the Batman: Arkham series or Sleeping Dogs. The combat is faster, more focused, and looks incredibly fun. Along with your fists, Jacob will also be able to use a short knife(a kukri), a pistol, and brass knuckles to take down foes. Additionally, for the first time in the series you’ll also be able to use the environment to defeat enemies, as the gameplay trailer showed Jacob cutting a net holding a handful of barrels, which fell on top of the target.
Syndicate will also feature a traffic system using trains and horse-drawn carriages, both of which will be usable vehicles in the upcoming game. Climbing and moving around the city will also be a lot more streamlined thanks to the newest gadget on your arsenal, the rope launcher. You’ll be able to use it to ascend buildings fast and zip-line from one rooftop to the other.
The game is still in development but it already looks fantastic and fast-paced. Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate releases this year on October 23. Is anyone else looking forward to hearing more about this game? Here’s hoping additional gameplay will be shown at E3 next month.
Watch the world reveal gameplay video below.