Assassin's Creed Syndicate: Jack the Ripper

 Xbox One
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. We Got This Covered
    Dec 21, 2015
    70
    Jack The Ripper's inclusion into the game isn't jarring, nor is his arc [un]interesting, although its story lacks the kind of detail that would've made for a narrative home run. On the other hand, the gameplay is solid and it's surprisingly deep overall, making it a worthy purchase for fans of the series.
  2. Destructoid
    Dec 17, 2015
    70
    Jack the Ripper can't aspire to reach the heights that Syndicate did. But, it also doesn't suffer the same setbacks. In a game where open-world strain can become a serious problem, this add-on is a mostly-focused reprieve. Sure, there are some fumbling moments, but there are also some elegantly-handled ones. Given the difficult source material and the obvious danger of stumbling, Jack the Ripper mostly doesn't, and that feels like a best-case outcome.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 31
  3. Negative: 4 out of 31
  1. NoHeroes94
    Jan 28, 2016
    6
    This DLC was a bitter shame for me. The 2015 entry of Syndicate for me was perfect (haven't written my review yet but i'd rate it a 9/10); forThis DLC was a bitter shame for me. The 2015 entry of Syndicate for me was perfect (haven't written my review yet but i'd rate it a 9/10); for AC standards relatively glitch free, simple yet inciting story and duality of having 2 characters (Evie Frye is quite possibly the best assassin since Ezio) and the most gorgeous setting imaginable. I rate the main game highly.

    However, the DLC is basically a product of Ubisoft main crime, particular with the AC franchise (although they are a very good publisher generally) - the DLC is rushed. Loving the period of history, this DLC came out just 2 months after the base game...firstly, with the announcement of a well needed attempt to space out the franchise, going on hiatus on a very good main game, the DLC had all the time in the world to develop.

    Now this wouldn't be a problem if the quick turn-around produced equal quality, but it simply doesn't. The intentions are there for ingenuity; a new fear mechanic, an aged Evie who is somehow just as badass, Jack the Ripper sections and the rightful (in my opinion) constriction of the map to Whitechapel and City of London. The execution however, ruined what could have been a good DLC.

    The story is okay, but nothing special. Certainty worth playing but not engrossing and has no replay value; the main game really draws me into certain facets of the London Underworld, and this just....doesn't. Also why the hell is the Rooks your enemy in this one? A gang you brought up to fight the Starrick Empire now is fighting its creator? For what reason? Doesn't say.

    The fear mechanic is cheesy and illogical; throwing fire bombs to scare people as Evie, and a supernatural screech for Jack? Come on. It doesn't really do much for me, and although it was a bit of fun for the first 3 memories or so it gets old FAST and the DLC is too reliant on it.

    THE DLC is also comparability difficulty. Players like me who maxed out the game (1000/1000G) equated to having all the skills and perks. The DLC removes all of these. If you earned the skill to restrain a kidnapped enemy? Now they won't. If you earned the skill to not make enemies go for you in the streets? Now they will. Now I understand that there is a constricted map so you could argue that this should keep the player busy and not bored by the enemies are relentless and ALL level 10/11. Considering to max out the DLC you need to 100% the whole DLC, for the side objectives this is ANNOYING.

    Which brings me onto my next point. The side missions are even more monotonous than in the main game. 5/6 TRUE variants (some missions are "different" but in reality do the same thing) and add virtually nothing to the story.

    Finally, and my main qualm, is that the DLC is visibly glitchy. We aren't talking Unity, but for a 2015 game from a first class developer this simply isn't good enough. These glitches vary from stabbing air, to in completable side objectives, to freezing and poor frame rates to boot.

    The focus on the negative in this review is purely based on my disappointment after the refreshing nature of Syndicate. Yes, it can be fun. Yes, it's not a "bad" DLC. But is just okay. It's bland, and given the topic matter that simply seems madness to me; it's Jack the Ripper, the most famous unsolved serial killer in history. The gameplay, execution and such are suitable for a tale of a shoplifting fine, not Jack the Ripper. For people who enjoyed the base game, especially completionists, its worth playing but if you're not bothered about a plat or max GS i wouldn't bother.

    6/10.    … Full Review »
  2. CoolDadTx
    Feb 7, 2016
    1
    This DLC is utter garbage. AC3 is the worst of the series but at least the DLCs weren't bad. This DLC is bad. Let's start with the crapThis DLC is utter garbage. AC3 is the worst of the series but at least the DLCs weren't bad. This DLC is bad. Let's start with the crap story that Ubisoft created to somehow tie Jack into the assassin's rather than simply letting Jack stand on his own since he is one of the most well known people in history. Furthermore you are dropped into London again but nothing you built up in the main game matters. You don't even get all of London to run around it. It's basic a sandbox of London. The side events are the same boring things in the main game.

    The new fear element is stuff down your throat whether you want it or not. Personally I found it to be a plot point with no real justification or purpose. But I was forced to use it through the entire game for objectives and because they took away all your real skills. The Jack sections were utterly stupid and meaningless.

    Now the bugs, they are worse than Unity. This is the only game that has managed to crash my Xbox. Graphic glitches are everywhere. On more than 1 occasion I was beating down someone and they just disappeared. Side activities also tended to reset in the middle of them for no particular reason. In one case I completed an objective and it showed me a message as such. When the level completed it said I didn't complete it and gave me no extra credit. But when I went back in the Progression Log it showed it as completed. Another glitch was horses getting stuck on invisible walls.

    Finally the latest update causes the store to open whenever Syndicate is started and I'm given the option to install Ubi Club. Attention Ubisoft - I AM NOT INSTALLING YOUR CRAP. Even worse is that you sit through the Syndicate loading screen, get sent to the store, click cancel and you then have to select the DLC and sit through another loading screen and store redirect. What kind of genius thought that was a good idea.    … Full Review »
  3. McGillotine
    Dec 20, 2015
    5
    Not particularly entertaining or engrossing, Assassin's creed syndicate: Jack the RIpper does a fairly average job at attempting to continueNot particularly entertaining or engrossing, Assassin's creed syndicate: Jack the RIpper does a fairly average job at attempting to continue the story of assassins creed syndicate.

    Set 20 year after the event of the main game, Whitechapel has come under threat by the elusive Jack the Ripper, set on a revenge course against the assassin brotherhood for his own personal matters, leaving Evie Fyre to have to come back to London in order to restore order once again after originally taking down Crawford Starrick in the base game

    One of the first things that the dlc shows is a departure in character swapping, with most of the DLC undertaken by Evie, with a few sequences dedicated to Jack who has been given his own brutal movesets which complement the rippers personality in a way that the story never seemed to get around to telling

    One of my major beefs with the dlc is how much the dlc feels as though it takes place in an alternate reality, when i finished syndicate Evie and Jacob were still together, with Rooks being a major driving force in London reinforced by strong leadership. However by the events of the dlc Evie and Jacob have been separated for some time and the rooks have all but disbanded into jacks personal army. All to perhaps complement this DLC that apparently needed to be released

    Gameplay is relatively same-same with little new to explore, side missions are a bore feeling as though they were made from every bad idea, not yet incorporated into the main game. Fear abilities are interesting but are otherwise just another tool alongside 100's which get the job done faster in a more satisfying fashion, such as smoke bombs and throwing knifes which essentially solve every encounter presented    … Full Review »
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