Syndicate Plus™

I simply freaked out the first time I played this game in the early nineties. The amount of violence, the amazing sound effects, the possibilities of doing research on both weapons and android upgrades. Wow. Amazing. I really wish there was a decent follow up to this game nowadays.

I love this game. Excellent atmosphere graphics, soud and music.

Syndicate is probably one of the most important and well-accomplished games of all time: its gameplay, both divided into strategy and management parts, is simply top-notch, even outside of its time. On top of that, its influence in atmosphere and themes can be seen in most cyberpunk games out there fo how well it manages to engage you with its settings. However, the game does show some parts in which may become repetitive towards the end, but in this kind of game isn't truly a problem. So, a cyberpunk RTS-RPG with a masterfully implemented management system all set in a Risiko-style map where you can further the goal of world domination of your multinational company through skilled manipulations and PR campaigns? Sign me up! and let the hounds of the company do the rest!

I grew up playing this game on an Amiga 500 so I'll always have a soft spot for Syndicate - but while its scope is impressive for 1993, the gameplay hasn't aged well. When you've researched the Minigun and have some upgraded arms, chests, and legs equipped, almost every Combat Sweep mission (roughly 70% of the game) can be completed by sitting at your start point with your API levels minimised, then hitting Panic Mode when the music changes. In these situations, the game literally plays itself for you - you can avoid this by dropping the Intelligence bar to 0 or negative, at which point your agents won't shoot without your intervention - but you run the risk of being swarmed and chewed apart by relentless enemy fire. You might need to switch to a different part of the map via train or car, but as soon as you arrive at your destination the enemy agents will path directly to you. And that pathfinding is a big issue 30 years after its release - characters will frequently get stuck trying to negotiate raised terrain and narrow corners, and will occasionally get wedged in closed-off areas as they somehow squeeze between two obstacles. The view is fixed isometric and building interiors are never revealed, so trying to navigate some areas of the maps is an exercise in frustration. For all its flaws, though, the game is still a classic - the broody atmosphere hasn't been equalled and the concept is still incredible. There are worse ways to relive the summer of 1993 than by spending a few hours with S+ (especially if you're grabbing it for free!) but try to remove those rose-coloured nstalgia goggles beforehand.

This game is very good idea, I have played with it when I was like 7. Unfortunately it requires a PhD to figure out how to play with it. A hint: Right mouse button is the fire button. Space has also some function like getting in and out of a car. Not recommended as this game is super clunky.