So I've never played a Syndicate game before, not really sure what they are... It seems like the kind of game I'm into but I dont' know which one is better...

so can someone describe what the games are in a nut-shell than tell me which one is better? I don't really see a difference but than again I dont' know what I'm looking for. Thanks!

If you've played Cannon Fodder, that's something to go on.

Basically it's a tactical action game where you usually control a squad of four cyborg agents. Go with left, shoot with right - oh, and click left + right to make them enter panic mode, go nuts and shoot everything on sight. Rather straight forward fun. You will also research new weapons and other stuff that you can equip your agents with (most notably new organs that basically make them super-human). You have these simple assignments like killing all enemy agents, assassinating a certain character or persuading someone (approaching him with a brainwashing device). Opposed to what you might expect from the screenshots and descriptions both games are actually rather simple action games with a very simple meta game put on top of them (don't expect the map screen and research to be anywhere near as complex as in say the X-Com series). Both provide insane bodycounts and tons of explosions.

As for which one is better: many people seem to prefer the first game, I definitely prefer the second one, Syndicate Wars. Syndicate Wars provides much more interesting missions and generally the better gameplay IMO. A thing that seems to throw people off is the 3D perspective that requires you to turn the camera manually a lot (if you've played Dungeon Keeper or Populous: The Beginning you should actually already be used to that). The second one is a bit more complex in some ways but also more rewarding. For instance in the first game money keeps coming in basically all by itself, in the second one you need to look for occasions to get money during the missions (like robbing banks). The second one also defintely needs you to study the missions and experiment with the equipment a bit more. But to me that makes it the much better game.

Thanks - had a similar dilemma, but reading this... NOT for me!

Oh... thanks lol. I was thinking something... err smarter. More in the vain of X-com or Frozen Synapse, not Cannon Fodder.

Thanks though lol.

similar here. money saved!

I think Syndicate is great but you might not, it's basically a top down shooter with upgrades. I would suggest checking out some gameplay videos before making final decision.

Syndicate is a tactical shooter, nothing to do with Cannon Fodder at all. And the only good Syndicate is the first Syndicate.

P.S.Stay away from the game's data disk, American Revolt; its difficulty will give you nightmares...

Also stay away of the modern Syndicate. It's a shooter with nothing in common with the titles here on GOG, except name of course.

And what is Cannon Fodder, my dear? You clearly haven't played it enough if you claim that it's merely a shmup.

Back in my teen years, I got Syndicate Wars bloody cheap in a store. Though I was majorly a FPS gamer back then, I enjoyed the heck out of it.

I could never beat the final 3 mission sequence, but I had loads of fun, anyway.

All times I tried to play the first one, I could never get into it.

I actually loved the reboot game. I know it's flawed and the multiplayer portion is by far the better game, but it just ticks the right bells in my head...

I recall hearing those stories already back in the day (some even claiming it to be impossible to finish), hence I was a bit surprised that I was able to finish the expansion pack too. I don't recall if it was that extremely hard either. So at least it can be still done. Maybe I should try to replay it, maybe it will hand my a** back to me this time.

I haven't yet played Syndicate Wars, it has been on my to-do list for over a decade or so, just like hundreds of other games.

Yeah, my first impression when I tried American Revolt (still in the 90's) was "what is this sh**?! this is insane!", losing instantly, no matter which mission I tried. Eventually I gave it another try and managed to beat a few missions in a row without any major trouble. I guess it's all about the approach. I think too few people use the panic mode which almost automatically solves many situations that are near impossible to survive with manual controls and at neutral drug levels.

Probably that. I don't have much recollection of the missions nor how exactly I played it, it's been awhile.