Recreating a classic game in a new genre runs an overwhelming risk of
failure. Not only must the product satiate fans of the original
experience, the new game also needs to stand on its own with successful
design choices and innovation. Oftentimes the redo reflects the exact
standards and formulas of its new genre rather than marching boldly into
new territory.
Syndicate
falls into this trap, telling a boring tale of swapping allegiances
amidst flurries of gunfire. Yet it escapes the "just another shooter"
label by executing an entertaining co-op mode, fun, manipulative
gameplay, and good scoring ideas -- it just doesn't take them far enough
to be great.
