Syndicate (2012)

 PC
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 434 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 143 out of 434
  2. Mixed: 168 out of 434
  3. Negative: 123 out of 434
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  1. cane
    Feb 24, 2012
    0
    The game is just terrible and while the game itself is an awful dumbed down generic FPS it doesn't get any better that it is a straight console port. Be prepared for super low FoV, tons and tons of bloom and bad options for the PC.
    Although I doubt the game would be any better if played on a console, it is as I said early a totally generic FPS relying on an over hyped gimmick called the    The game is just terrible and while the game itself is an awful dumbed down generic FPS it doesn't get any better that it is a straight console port. Be prepared for super low FoV, tons and tons of bloom and bad options for the PC.
    Although I doubt the game would be any better if played on a console, it is as I said early a totally generic FPS relying on an over hyped gimmick called the dart system. This game brings nothing new to the table and to be honest as much as I hate the recent CoD games you are better off playing any of them because at least they don't true to act all smug about how awesome their games are.

    STAY AWAY FROM THIS GAME UNLESS YOU LIKE THROWING AWAY MONEY

    PS it totally butchers the syndicate IP, need to be said even though the game wouldn't be able to stand on it's own legs anyway    … Expand
  2. Apis
    May 28, 2012
    3
    Unengaging shooter that has nothing to do with the game from which it takes its name (stupid and dishonest to call it Syndicate). The combat powers are mostly useless except for DART overlay (time dilation and enemy highlighting). The ability to raise and lower covers in some areas are somewhat interesting but rarely used and in itself not enough to get excited about. Levels are theUnengaging shooter that has nothing to do with the game from which it takes its name (stupid and dishonest to call it Syndicate). The combat powers are mostly useless except for DART overlay (time dilation and enemy highlighting). The ability to raise and lower covers in some areas are somewhat interesting but rarely used and in itself not enough to get excited about. Levels are the linear, repetitive stuff we have come to expect these days: enter room, kill five waves of enemies, repeat ten times with some seemingly pointless transport zones in between. During the single player campaign you pick up character profiles and data fragments. I assume they give more background to the story and characters, I do not know because I did never feel motivated to read them. As far as I can tell it had zero impact on the gameplay. The monochromatic visuals and monotone music theme seems strangely appropriate for the game. As others have pointed out, this is a console port. Having to press "F" repeatedly to open doors is extremely annoying. This effect reeks of console port and only makes sense in certain very dramatic scenes, not every time you open a bloody door! All in all, no aspect is a complete failure, the game is somewhat playable but not worth spending hard earned money on.… Expand
  3. oliver1h
    Feb 7, 2013
    4
    Another wasted potential...The story is really weak. The game world feels dated, empty and not futuristic as it supposed to look. The game is basically a generic shooter with bad AI. and boring fights. I wish they would not use the "Syndicate" name because the original isometric game was great and revolutionary, not like this one.
  4. JudgeHolden
    Mar 31, 2012
    4
    After playing Deus Ex: Human Revolution, I looked forward a lot to Syndicate. Unfortunately, I received a dull, linear FPS. It offered me no true insights into the world it is set in, no real sensation of freedom. Instead, I had to deal with a lot of graphic bugs, dismal control system, some strange matrix-ish training grounds... I played it for around 2 hours, then left it by. I regretAfter playing Deus Ex: Human Revolution, I looked forward a lot to Syndicate. Unfortunately, I received a dull, linear FPS. It offered me no true insights into the world it is set in, no real sensation of freedom. Instead, I had to deal with a lot of graphic bugs, dismal control system, some strange matrix-ish training grounds... I played it for around 2 hours, then left it by. I regret giving this game 4 given the high hopes I had for it, but frankly I cannot give it more.… Expand
  5. Cserb
    Dec 7, 2012
    4
    Although there are some interesting concepts, this game doesn't stand out in any way... the story is easily ignorable, and once you get past that it's just room after room of mobs and some puzzles. The visuals are boring and often times I was confused by the environment
  6. fuwaneko
    Feb 27, 2012
    3
    I can praise only visual style (however there's too much of a bloom and lighting is bad) and main music theme by Skryllex. Everything else is horrible. Interesting thing is it's actually mediocre on "easy" difficulty and absolutely horrible on "normal" and "hard". Outrageously repetitive non-challenging stupid gameplay (go to next same-looking-room, kill 5-6 waves of enemies, repeat; II can praise only visual style (however there's too much of a bloom and lighting is bad) and main music theme by Skryllex. Everything else is horrible. Interesting thing is it's actually mediocre on "easy" difficulty and absolutely horrible on "normal" and "hard". Outrageously repetitive non-challenging stupid gameplay (go to next same-looking-room, kill 5-6 waves of enemies, repeat; I know, it's shooter, but "action" is then _something_ happens, not just waves of enemies swarming you). The only good thing in the whole game is second boss (jumps around and shoots rockets). He was fun and interesting. Everything else is just awful. I thought I was playing oh-another-fps-from-CITY-Interactive: no story, tons of cannon fodder. Oh, and "upgrades" and "DART overlay" are absolutely useless, you don't need them at all. Actually, this game had a great potential, but it was wasted. If they'd spend another year or so, it would be a good game probably.… Expand
  7. Ireland914
    Mar 16, 2012
    0
    Complete garbage. This obvious console port offers poor graphics and clunky controls clearly designed for a controller with limited options for keyboard input. The button prompts that pop up on the screen only show the controllers buttons you need to press and you're unable to assign keys properly to make the game even remotely enjoyable for a PC gamer.
  8. Coeco
    Aug 19, 2012
    1
    Syndicate - A shooter in a future-realistic setting involving giant corporations struggling for power with cybernetic implan- Wait, haven't I seen this before?.. Oh that's right, Deus Ex HR. Complete lack of originality aside, Syndicate does make for a good solid shooter experience if you turn off all the handicaps that was brought over fro- Yep, you guessed it. It's a console port. AndSyndicate - A shooter in a future-realistic setting involving giant corporations struggling for power with cybernetic implan- Wait, haven't I seen this before?.. Oh that's right, Deus Ex HR. Complete lack of originality aside, Syndicate does make for a good solid shooter experience if you turn off all the handicaps that was brought over fro- Yep, you guessed it. It's a console port. And one made by EA which can be seen by the most worst structured maps I've ever seen. It's confusing, unappealing with all the excessive bloom/hue and linear which is clearly something that only EA could pull off. It's mediocre and I would normally recommend to give it a try but considering the publisher, I'd say stay the hell away from this.… Expand
  9. Zarunil
    Apr 22, 2012
    2
    This game is OK if you like linear, generic corridor shooters with an overdose of bloom. Otherwise I'd stay clear. Zero innovation from Starbreeze. An insult to the original, really.
  10. ChrisMcMahon
    Jul 6, 2013
    2
    This game deserves it's flop status.

    There's a serious problem with difficultly levels. I'm playing on normal difficultly. The boss fights are really frustrating and way too difficult for the set difficulty. Sure, boss fights are supposed to be difficult you say. And you're right. But I've been stuck on the same 5-10 minutes of boss fight (2nd boss missiles) for 5 hours. That's over    This game deserves it's flop status.

    There's a serious problem with difficultly levels. I'm playing on normal difficultly. The boss fights are really frustrating and way too difficult for the set difficulty. Sure, boss fights are supposed to be difficult you say. And you're right. But I've been stuck on the same 5-10 minutes of boss fight (2nd boss missiles) for 5 hours. That's over well 50 attempts. I give up. No more game for me. I've read walkthroughs, guides and watched videos. None of which can get me passed this prick. If fact he seems to be bugged as half the returned rockets don't explode but just blink a blue light at his feet.

    If I was to rate the difficulty from 1 to 10. I'd game the normal gameplay is a 2, ie almost boring it is so easy. The boss fights however are a 10. There's no way I can get passed it. No way to say drop the difficulty to easy just for the fight. If you want to drop the difficulty, you have to restart the game right from the beginning! No cheats I can find. So the game's over. I can't be bothered playing the whole game over, that and the normal difficulty is too easy for standard non-boss play, that easy difficulty would be too easy and lack fun.

    This is an issue of play testing during the design phase of the game. I can't believe that this was play tested and found to be satisfactory.

    As for the rest of the game. The FOV is really narrow and causes me motion sickness. Graphics are average, just average, for their time. The graphics option screen is severally lacking setting options. There are sliders, but they don't tell you what they are changing.

    Sound is mediocre. In one level there is loud music and the music setting in the menu has no effect.

    There's no way to change key bindings. You're stuck with what the developer sets.

    Overall, a very disappointing console port and game.    … Expand
  11. ajje
    Feb 24, 2012
    4
    A huge disappointment.
    I've been waiting 15 years for the third installment and what is delivered is a title that doesn't incorporate an ounce of the formula from Syndicate or Syndicate Wars. This title could have been named "Human Revelation, made in HK" for all I care.
    The game is a straight through shooter on rails. You as the player have close to zero choice regarding how to approach    A huge disappointment.
    I've been waiting 15 years for the third installment and what is delivered is a title that doesn't incorporate an ounce of the formula from Syndicate or Syndicate Wars. This title could have been named "Human Revelation, made in HK" for all I care.

    The game is a straight through shooter on rails. You as the player have close to zero choice regarding how to approach your obstacles, and absolutely no say regarding where to go nor what missions to pick. The story is also forgettable as others have already pointed out.

    I had expected MUCH more from Starbreeze. That they shipped this pile of ... is just an affront.
    Now I understand that you guys want to finish your pet project "P13", but you could at least have spared some talent from your pool of game designers, level makers and engine coders, so you could ship a title that at least is fun to play.

    Chronicles of Riddick was a superb game and my expectation, when I heard Starbreeze was taking the Syndicate franchise down the first person route, was not that diminished because of what they accomplished with CoR. Had this title received anywhere near as much attention as CoR, this could actually have turned out to have been a good game. Unfortunately, Starbreeze opted for some quick cash from EA, by spending the least amount of work and attention possible on a contracted title, so they could spend the remainder of the funding on what they'd rather develop.

    This is cheap, deceitful and I want my money back. I'll gladly pay for your P13 (or whatever you'll call it when it's released), but that's not what I bought here. I bought the third installment of Syndicate and that has not been delivered.    … Expand
  12. wijse
    Feb 27, 2012
    4
    I'm finding the whole game pretty mediocre so far. Remote button pressing! Annoying bosses that make the designer feel clever rather than you! Hoping it gets better, but if it keeps up like this I'll have to load up the original instead (or even Syndicate Wars, which was prettier/simpler but still great fun).
  13. lucian01
    Mar 4, 2012
    2
    Nice graphics and nice soundtrack. And that's about all the good things I can say about it.

    Sadly the developers have taken the "lots of enemies" approach at making 99% of this game. That is to say most of the time you'll be killing wave after wave of suicidal clone soldiers, which results in the game feeling like every other FPS you've ever played. This game has nothing in common with    Nice graphics and nice soundtrack. And that's about all the good things I can say about it.

    Sadly the developers have taken the "lots of enemies" approach at making 99% of this game. That is to say most of the time you'll be killing wave after wave of suicidal clone soldiers, which results in the game feeling like every other FPS you've ever played. This game has nothing in common with the original and it's spin-offs besides the backstory.    … Expand
  14. vochaisl
    Feb 26, 2012
    4
    So sad to see a great franchise being butchered to some mundane FPS.

    While the PC version undoubtly looks and plays better than the PS3 and Xbox360 it falls short on delivering what Syndicate is all about. Whoever played the old Syndicate games, will not get what they were hopping fore. If you're in for some new, fancy looking FPS, Syndicate might be for you. Everybody else avoid    So sad to see a great franchise being butchered to some mundane FPS.

    While the PC version undoubtly looks and plays better than the PS3 and Xbox360 it falls short on delivering what Syndicate is all about.

    Whoever played the old Syndicate games, will not get what they were hopping fore. If you're in for some new, fancy looking FPS, Syndicate might be for you.

    Everybody else avoid Syndicate at all cost and buy when it's in the bargain bin for 10 bucks or less.    … Expand
  15. dksone
    Feb 28, 2012
    0
    As it is, the game is unplayable without a xbox 360 controller, as the game keep asking to press some keys without telling which one it is on the keyboard.
  16. DarkMan
    Mar 14, 2012
    3
    I expected much more from this game. The story is boring but anyway it was topped by even more boring end. I have never seen a game with such a bad lightning. Half of the game i could not see much of the environment because of strange coronas around most light sources. Not worth the money...
  17. Kyrandos
    Apr 13, 2012
    1
    This is not syndicate, this is something else. It's not necessarily a BAD game, but it receives demerits for bringing down the syndicate name. Cooperative multiplayer is a lot of fun when high levels are not ruining it by walking through the level and finishing it while you battle the enemies at the beginning. There are no patches, despite being desperately needed - and there will almostThis is not syndicate, this is something else. It's not necessarily a BAD game, but it receives demerits for bringing down the syndicate name. Cooperative multiplayer is a lot of fun when high levels are not ruining it by walking through the level and finishing it while you battle the enemies at the beginning. There are no patches, despite being desperately needed - and there will almost definitely not be any. EA does not care. Starbreeze has moved on. Your money is EA's now.… Expand
  18. Nile3
    Feb 25, 2012
    1
    Man, this game is not at all like the first ones! It's so boring, it's effectively a poorly done copy of Deus Ex with the name syndicate on it!! Stay away from it, even if you get it for free it's rather aweful. Warning: Console-port! You will walk forward the whole time in small rooms with dumb enemies. I give 1 for the graphics. The story isn't very good, the gameplay sucks, theMan, this game is not at all like the first ones! It's so boring, it's effectively a poorly done copy of Deus Ex with the name syndicate on it!! Stay away from it, even if you get it for free it's rather aweful. Warning: Console-port! You will walk forward the whole time in small rooms with dumb enemies. I give 1 for the graphics. The story isn't very good, the gameplay sucks, the directing was done by a beginner who couldn't improve a poor script.… Expand
  19. Bambii
    Mar 8, 2012
    0
    I don't know how to exactly summarize my impressions of this game but I'll try anyway. The big letdown is the story, the plot and dialogues. I could come up with more bad ass sentences, just believe me, than authors of this game did. The plot is laughable but don't take this the wrong way, I'm a fan of sci-fi, I like any futuristic plot device that features guns, but this plot in SyndicateI don't know how to exactly summarize my impressions of this game but I'll try anyway. The big letdown is the story, the plot and dialogues. I could come up with more bad ass sentences, just believe me, than authors of this game did. The plot is laughable but don't take this the wrong way, I'm a fan of sci-fi, I like any futuristic plot device that features guns, but this plot in Syndicate is just plain ridiculous. It's a big joke, if you want a good story then don't buy this game. Action alone is not that bad, but you know every other AAA game does it better and with a good job on a story side of things.… Expand
  20. nirvycn
    Feb 22, 2012
    2
    This is NOT syndicate. This is just another Generic FPS game. The UI is poor, the graphics are average, the gun play feels shallow, the gun sounds are rather tinny and poor,the game doesnt play anything like the original syndicate. It plays like a poor mans Deus Ex HR. It's average in all departments. Nothing like the original syndicate. Probably worth a quick playthrough if you like FPsThis is NOT syndicate. This is just another Generic FPS game. The UI is poor, the graphics are average, the gun play feels shallow, the gun sounds are rather tinny and poor,the game doesnt play anything like the original syndicate. It plays like a poor mans Deus Ex HR. It's average in all departments. Nothing like the original syndicate. Probably worth a quick playthrough if you like FPs games, however there are much better ones out there, and definitely ones that tell a story much better. Decidedly average.… Expand
  21. Supr585
    Mar 6, 2012
    4
    The gameplay is quite enjoyable for a linear shooter, one of the better ones in a long time. Had no performance issues, but the over the top use of bloom and very bright lighting at times make this unplayable most of the time. Hopefully this is toned down in patches, until then it will remain on the shelf uncompleted.
  22. malau
    Mar 12, 2012
    3
    Awful ! Awful ! Awful ! Makes Deus Ex HR look shiny and new !
    Linear trash with appalling level design and grainy textures.
    This seems to exist in a Universe where HL2 never happened. Point, shoot, run. get lost in map, fight boss, die, reload, die, repeat.....
  23. MadclownJack
    Feb 24, 2012
    4
    Im giving it a 4 because i couldn't push myself to play the single player campaign further than the second mission. I'm sure many of you will say that i have no right to write such an unfavorable review not having played past the second mission. All i have to say to you is, It's THAT boring. It's like a huge "deja vu clusterfuck". The character's movement and environment interactions areIm giving it a 4 because i couldn't push myself to play the single player campaign further than the second mission. I'm sure many of you will say that i have no right to write such an unfavorable review not having played past the second mission. All i have to say to you is, It's THAT boring. It's like a huge "deja vu clusterfuck". The character's movement and environment interactions are weird, there are small and POINTLESS distractions everywhere, like every friggin object in existence has to display with a name and position on your HUD. The aiming is ridiculous, the bullets hit the target whichever direction you shoot towards and that makes no difference since you need to unload a clip to kill a guy. There are some rpg elements that can't seem to find their place in the game world (maybe to make the game a tad easier and offer an illusion of randomness). In my opinion, it's a collection of unnecessary cliches, absurdities and redundancies. All i can say is, borrow it from a friend before you decide to buy it. Maybe you'll find it more interesting than i did. I just can't seem to look past the bland and generic fps that it clearly is.… Expand
  24. PlausibleSarge
    Feb 23, 2012
    1
    So I came in expecting something akin to the original syndicate, instead I got a ripped-off, less polished version of Deus Ex Human Revolution. Instead of strategically going after targets, in a dirty, gritty world where events like ambulances being shot-up repeatedly is commonplace, I end up playing another boring modern shooter. Liked Syndicate? You are going to hate this game. LikeSo I came in expecting something akin to the original syndicate, instead I got a ripped-off, less polished version of Deus Ex Human Revolution. Instead of strategically going after targets, in a dirty, gritty world where events like ambulances being shot-up repeatedly is commonplace, I end up playing another boring modern shooter. Liked Syndicate? You are going to hate this game. Like FPS's that make you think and have an engrossing story, with cool augmented character customization? Play Deus Ex Human Revolution instead.… Expand
  25. ItaJohnson
    Feb 24, 2012
    3
    I am with most of the haters, this is a pathetic pile of suck. I guess you can compare it to brink or deus ex, but it is really pointless since it is not in the same league. It has similar controls (oh gee a shooter that controls like a shooter 'magine that) but really is MUCH lower caliber gameplay wise. They should have stuck closer to the original games instead of doing this. SadI am with most of the haters, this is a pathetic pile of suck. I guess you can compare it to brink or deus ex, but it is really pointless since it is not in the same league. It has similar controls (oh gee a shooter that controls like a shooter 'magine that) but really is MUCH lower caliber gameplay wise. They should have stuck closer to the original games instead of doing this. Sad really.

    It doesnt deserve a 1 but i think anyone who gives it a 10 is fully mental, there has been like 1 "10" in the past decade, just because you paid $ for the game does not make it a 10. It really is below average on every possible level so my score reflects that, i cant say the graphics are brilliant (gtx580, 16 gigs ram, 47 inch 3D tv for a monitor), nor the gameplay (i used a 360 controller.. just because a game supports controller by default does not make it a console port you mo-rons things like no display options, no dx10+, or no rebinding keys make a game a port).. the whole game just feels low budget. The plot doesnt feel epic, i dont know what is up with the **** blurriness on the edges of the screen, and improving the character just feels like "yea whatever".

    I just cant in any way honestly call it a good game.    … Expand
  26. Ispend2much
    Feb 22, 2012
    3
    For the forced suicides mode I give this a 3 otherwise it is a very consolized "Dragons Age (2).."AWESOME" game.

    By this I mean the following, Imagine, if you can. shooting a person with no armor, Point Blank with a High Quality Assault Rifle and them not only NOT insta die but Hop and Cartwheel around, moving with Blur like speed, until you put ..I guess around 1600 rounds into them. I    For the forced suicides mode I give this a 3 otherwise it is a very consolized "Dragons Age (2).."AWESOME" game.

    By this I mean the following, Imagine, if you can. shooting a person with no armor, Point Blank with a High Quality Assault Rifle and them not only NOT insta die but Hop and Cartwheel around, moving with Blur like speed, until you put ..I guess around 1600 rounds into them. I will NEVER buy another "Reboot" game ( I Dodged the remake of Jagged Alliance)...but I was tricked by the cut scenes in Youtube. I cannot recommend Strongly enough AGAINST buying this game. Don't make the same Mistake I did...    … Expand
  27. Nolife
    Feb 24, 2012
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is like call of duty, you just go and wait for a script, only good maybe great think is the music, GRaphics is console port, AI is made for coop-on hard you gonna be really frustrated,lenght dont know i delete it after half hour but guessing 7 hour top, guns are like from call of duty too and one of the most frustraing think is the light in one second you dont see nothin in other the light blind you, for 50 bucks absolutly dont worth it, very dissapointing after great riddick, i guess vin diesel was keepin eyes on them to not screw it:D… Expand
  28. Dolar
    Feb 21, 2012
    1
    This is the generic shooter we all feared it would be. This game has no soul, it is not interesting and it besmirches the legacy of what was a great game. When will companies stop making these horrid quick cash in remakes of old games? This is the kind of thing you have come to expect from EA, but I am disappointed in Starbreeze. Riddick was sure a good game, and this is a giant let down.This is the generic shooter we all feared it would be. This game has no soul, it is not interesting and it besmirches the legacy of what was a great game. When will companies stop making these horrid quick cash in remakes of old games? This is the kind of thing you have come to expect from EA, but I am disappointed in Starbreeze. Riddick was sure a good game, and this is a giant let down. Maybe someday we will get a legit remake of syndicate in, I don;t know the same genre at least of the old game? Do not waste your money on this horrid junk FPS remake.… Expand
  29. pablol
    Mar 26, 2012
    2
    One the most unfun shooters in recent years. Enemies have way too much health, multiple shotgun headshots at close range to kill a guy. Really guys? Horrible boss fights. Way too much bloom, making it almost impossible to see enemies without dart in some cases.
  30. kofelovr
    Feb 24, 2012
    0
    This is a very dull FPS and an extremely bad port from the consoles. As a PC gamer, I am sick of buyinig games without standard options for the PC -- like FOV, key bindings, etc. It's just very sloppy, but, then again, Electronic Arts is involved so enough said.
  31. Kamlo
    Feb 28, 2017
    0
    Idee interessanti, ma la fusione di meccaniche fps con poteri da rpg o arpg non funziona completamente.
    Farragginoso e non divertente come gameplay: alla fine la cosa più semplice è uccidere tutti i nemici con l'attacco instakill del corpo a corpo

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Discussed PC Game of 2012
49
#49 Most Shared PC Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Hyper Magazine
    May 14, 2012
    60
    An ok campaign with potentially great co-op marred by uninspired design, poor storytelling and glitches. [June 2012, p.76]
  2. PC PowerPlay
    Apr 27, 2012
    50
    When it's not going out of its way to be terrible, Syndicate is simply mediocre. [May 2012, p.54]
    Read full review
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Mar 22, 2012
    70
    Neither a disappointment nor euphoria – it's Syndicate, excellent multiplayer action game. Unfortunately, the whole single-player campaign feels like a five-hour tutorial. [March 2012]
See all critic reviews »