Retro game of the week: Syndicate (AMIGA/PC)

Remember Syndicate? Of course you do. Otherwise you wouldn't be here. Without question one of my favorite games ever, Syndicate was developed by legendary, now defunct, company Bullfrog. It was, and still is, grand in scope and realisation. Sure, it looks a little stale in retrospect, but back then (1993) the isometric graphics were outstanding and detailed. Remember the commercial screens, advertising fake products? Remember the futuristic vehicles and the neon lights? Or was your tiny mind busy focusing on trenchcoats and lasers?

Syndicate, quite self-explanatory, was about guiding a team of agents around various cities in just about all countries of the world, performing duties for your syndicate; assassinating executives of a rival corporations, rescuing captured allies, persuading scientists to join your company, or simply wiping out enemy agents. You were also required to manage the funds to finance weaponry and tech upgrades, by means of taxing territories. More conquered territories meant more money, which in turn meant new cool stuff. The game itself was quite open-ended. All the countries avalible in the world map were, as I remember it, free to explore at any time, in what order you deemed appropriate. Solving the missions were also a matter of individual approach. When Syndicate came out, its rather graphic and indiscriminate violence sparked some controversy, which obviously only made it more popular with the kids. Glorious days.

Click here for some nostalgic footage.