The Untapped Potential of Assassin’s Creed Victory and What We Lost With Syndicate

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In many ways, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate showed great promise, but the final product fell short of its intended vision.

In its developmental phase, Assassin’s Creed Victory portrayed an entirely distinct image of Victorian-era London.

This game is generally good, yet it leaves you with a sense of disappointment given its vast potential. Comparing it to the possibilities of Victory and Syndicate, it seems Ubisoft may have dropped the ball in its execution.

In simpler terms, early depictions of Victorian London in the game Victory portrayed it as both grimy and industrial, reflecting the harsh realities of the era. The cityscape was a stark contrast, showcasing wealth and advancement alongside crime and destitution.

The initial idea behind Victory was to portray its setting as a grittier and more somber reality. Visualize a city where the streets aren’t just relics of history, but active battlefields in a power struggle. The urban environment itself seems as unforgiving as the individuals who secretly dwell within it.

Rather than delving deep into the gritty reality of Victorian London, Ubisoft opted for a more playful approach in Syndicate. Instead of portraying intense struggles for dominance, the game transformed London into a bustling amusement park filled with lively gang skirmishes that felt closer to schoolyard squabbles than life-or-death battles.

The Downloadable Content (DLC) titled “Jack the Ripper” demonstrated Syndicate’s ability to handle a more somber storyline. However, unfortunately, this realization came at a time when significant changes to the main game were no longer feasible.

Originally, it was planned that only one Assassin, Samuel Fay, would appear in the game. He was intended to be more fleshed out and thematically consistent. His attire (which was speculated to be later used for George Westhouse) had a remarkable design that perfectly matched the atmosphere of the era. Unfortunately, this outfit wasn’t made available to players, leading fans to wonder why such a well-crafted design was discarded.

Initially, certain key features were integral to the game’s original concept, but later modifications returned some of them. Nevertheless, it’s disappointing to realize these aspects once formed the heart of the game design. However, Ubisoft opted for Jacob and Evie Frye instead, which wasn’t a wholly negative decision, but their implementation left room for improvement.

Jacob exhibited careless behavior without any apparent reason, whereas Evie found herself sidelined more frequently than was appropriate. Instead of developing a cohesive, distinct character arc for either protagonist, the story felt fragmented, offering an unsatisfying narrative experience overall. It’s not uncommon for Ubisoft to employ dual protagonists, but in this instance, it seems like a contrived choice that detracts from the game’s immersion.

In Syndicate, the rope launcher held great unrealized possibilities, yet it ended up being seldom utilized. The original ideas for Victory imagined the rope launcher serving not only for mobility but also for stealth and battle. Imagine yourself gliding through city streets, executing silent assassinations from above, or creatively employing it in combat. However, what was delivered was essentially a fancy zip line that made conventional parkour almost unnecessary.

It’s important to acknowledge Syndicate for creating a beautiful London, but it didn’t provide an immersive experience like Unity did with Paris. What was missing was the crowd and the sense of life that made Paris feel so memorable. Instead, the world seemed unusually clean and devoid of people, giving it a sterile feeling.

It’s truly disheartening to see how much potential Victory had, as it could have offered an unforgettable Assassin’s Creed adventure in Victorian London – a setting ripe with gothic architecture, shadowy alleys, and political turmoil ideal for crafting a masterpiece in the Assassin’s Creed series.

Ubisoft often abandons remarkable ideas, and Victory seems to be one that they missed the mark on. Nevertheless, Syndicate is an enjoyable game to play, boasting unique qualities that make it a favorite among many players.

Perhaps someday, they might reconsider the discarded concepts and deliver the grittier, more engrossing Victorian-era Assassin’s Creed experience that was initially intended for us.

Until that day comes, I can only hold onto the hope that within the depths of Ubisoft’s vast collection of designs, lies a version of Victory with the potential to be an unparalleled masterwork.

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2025-03-12 10:42