Victorian London
The faithfulness of London’s recreation in Syndicate is truly a sight to behold. It may not be as visually appealing as some of the other locations on offer (London was not a pretty place back in the day), but it is loaded with charm. Happening upon a world-famous landmark is a thrilling moment, and best of all, there’s no god-forsaken Gherkin jutting out like a misshapen glass thumb.
The point in history really lends itself to a video game, a particularly nasty and cruel time when widespread poverty made every day a struggle for survival. The real-life figures are as notorious as any of your imagination, with an entire chapter dedicated to Jack the Ripper. The shelf life for spoiler alert has probably expired on that one, but we’ll spare you the details, just in case. Let’s just say that the interweaving of fact and fiction is definitely fun to watch unfold.
In relation to the previous point, Syndicate’s newfound traversal accessibility means that exploring all of London’s nooks and crannies is an enjoyable experience, rather than a chore. Would we have loved to romp around in Unity’s Paris with such frivolity? Of course, it was stunning. But we more often than not ended up breaking our bones in our zeal, and French healthcare was not that great in the late 1700s.
In stark contrast, London felt conquerable. Nothing seemed insurmountable, and that sense of power came with its own set of inherent risks. Standing perched atop its highest points may not have been as rewarding, but it still felt damn well satisfying.
