Skip to main content

Players offer feedback on Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

Oops! We couldn't load this video player
Ubisoft hasn’t exactly beaten around the bush when it comes to Assassin’s Creed Unity’s negative reception. When its follow-up, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, was announced back in May, the development team made mention of several issues plaguing 2014’s entry in the series. But Syndicate looks to right these wrongs, and Ubisoft has conducted extensive playtesting with the community to ensure that there will never be another Unity again.

In a video posted on the official Assassin’s Creed YouTube channel, Ubisoft user research project manager Jonathan Dankoff takes a demo of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate to E3 and San Diego Comic-Con to gather player feedback on the game’s progress so far.

Recommended Videos

“You’re not doing me any favors if you tell me you loved everything,” Dankoff tells one of the fans. “So we’re looking really for your honest feedback as a player.”

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The feedback the team received was mostly positive, especially in regard to the improved stealth (the whistle is back!) and combat, which one player compared more to Black Flag than the methodical, somewhat frustrating system used in Unity.

However, there were still a few issues that cropped up. While the new zipline mechanic — think Batman: Arkham but not quite as ridiculous — received praise, the inability to change your character’s destination on the fly was criticized; Dankoff responds to the remark by stating that the team “will look into” solving this, and since it made it into the video, it’s safe to say that this feature will be in the final game.

The traversal, which underwent a major overhaul in Unity, could also be changing based on the feedback the team received. One player says that was he was frustrated with having to press the “up” or “down” button while navigating buildings, and would rather have the process be slightly more automated. Such a change would bring the traversal back to something more like Assassin’s Creed III and Black Flag, relying on the game to determine where you want to go at any given time.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate launches on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 23, with a PC release following later.

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
Assassin’s Creed Mirage comes to iPhones and iPads this June
Basim showing off his hidden blade in front of the Bagdad cityscape.

Ubisoft and Apple have confirmed that the iOS-native version of Assassin's Creed Mirage will launch on June 6.

We first learned that the latest Assassin's Creed would be making the jump from console to mobile alongside titles like Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 4's remake, and Death Stranding: Director's Cut last year. Apple is now able to release quality ports of console games on iOS thanks to the new M1 chip in the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.

Read more
The best video games of November 2023: Super Mario RPG, Assassin’s Creed Nexus, and more
Princess Peach in Super Mario RPG.

After a hectic October and the lackluster Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III becoming available on November 10, you might have felt like this outstanding year for games was finally wrapped up and that paying attention to new releases was less necessary. That feeling would be misguided, as plenty of outstanding games dropped this month. From new games tied to huge franchises like League of Legends and Mario to more experimental indie games and new IP, quite a few awesome games have flown under the radar this month.

In particular, the following seven games stuck out to us the most as the best video games released in November 2023. Give them a shot before the year ends; you might find one of them makes for a fine last-minute addition to your personal game of the year list.
Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story

Read more
Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR turned me into a sociopath (and I love it)
Ezio sneaks up on a guard with a crossbow in Assassin's Creed Nexus VR.

I’ve done a lot of memorable things in VR this year. I’ve climbed mountains, commanded hundreds of tiny people, and even paddled through the seas in a kayak. With Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR, I get to add another virtual feat to that list: I’ve jumped down on top of an unsuspecting guard and plunged a hidden blade into his throat with pinpoint accuracy. And I’m a little worried about how delighted I am by that.

Ubisoft has been a long-time supporter of VR going back to early standouts like Eagle Flight, but Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR finds the publisher making its full leap of faith into the tech. It’s not another virtual “experience” based on one of its popular IPs, but rather a full-throated Assassin’s Creed game with just about everything you’d expect in its console counterpart. There’s sneaking, parkour, lock picking, pickpocketing, death-defying leaps, and even a wealth of collectibles hidden in small-scale recreations of historical locations. All that’s missing is the open-world glut -- and that’s arguably its best quality.

Read more