Syndicate

n/a

Mega Drive Mega-CD
Syndicate
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD
Publisher: Electronic Arts Domark
Developer: Bullfrog Productions
Sound driver: Images Software/Russsel Shaw
Genre: Simulation
Number of players: 1
Official in-game languages: English Français Deutsch
Release Date RRP Code US 1994 736801 EU 1995-01 E236SMXI PT 199x UK 1995-01 £44.9944.99 E236SMXI AU 199x EU 1995-06 T-88065-50 UK 1995-06 T-88065-50
Non-Sega versions Super NES

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Syndicate is an isometric strategy game developed by Bullfrog Productions. It was released among other systems for the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Mega-CD. Its sequel, Syndicate Wars, was due to be released on the Sega Saturn but was cancelled.

Story and Premise

Syndicate takes place in a dystopic cyberpunk future, in which national governments are replaced by massive mega-corporations and crime organizations. People in this timeline are lulled into obeidence with CHIP, a device installed to neck that alters the perception of ordinary people and makes them see the bleak world they live in as a paradise. Players are put in control of a young executive of Eurocorp Syndicate, an up and coming organization, ready to ascend to supremacy. Using their cybernetic agents for every dirty and underhanded tactic from propaganda to assassination, from kidnapping to brain-washing, players must guide their syndicate to top of the food chain: Total and unchallenged control of human population.

Gameplay

Mega Drive/Genesis/Mega-CD port of Syndicate plays more similar to a isometric action shooter rather than a real-time tactics game like the main game with different controls and missions. Mega-CD version has CD music, some voice clips and more fluid cut-scenes. Other than that, it is basically the same game as the 16-bit port. Game does not use six button controllers despite such controllers were avaiable nearly a year before the this port was released.

A big part of the game is to controlling agents' API (Adrenaline, Perception, Intelligence) levels. This allows limited autonomy to total control to field agents. Adrenaline increases speed of reactions, Perception governs hit rate and danger detection, Intelligence determines how agents will react to any situation. Increasing these levels will make agents better in combat but also limits player control (an agent with high perception and intelligence level may refuse to enter combat with a dangerous enemy group for example), while lowering them makes the agents more obeident but also worse combatants. Keeping, API levels above normal will eventually drain them. To recharge these levels, reduce them to lowest states and they will eventually return to normal charge levels.

Adjusting API Levels: Press and hold , while holding press left or right to select API type then press up or down to increase or lower the level.

Change Controlled Agent: Press and hold , while holding press left or right.

Change Weapon: Press and hold , then press up or down.

Fire Weapon: Press

Panic Mode: Press and same time. During panic mode, all agents' API levels will be adjusted to highest rate and they will open fire with their weapons automatically.

Guard Mode: Press and same time. Active agent will still be controlled while other agents will have their perception and intelligence levels spiked. This will allow you keep playing the mission with the agent you control while, other agents will remain alert and engage enemies when attacked.

Sleep Mode: Press and same time. All agent you do not directly control will enter a relaxing state to recharge their API levels. They will be easy targets if found by enemies however.

Self Destruct: Press , and same time. Use it only when you are in a desperate situation, as the detonation will cause heavy damage to everyone around. Only avaiable if Chest Level 2 and 3 is installed.

Toggle Group Mode/Entering-Exiting Vehicles: Press  START  and same time. You will control all 4 agents at the same time.

Drop Weapon: Press and  START 

Pause the Game: Press  START 

Quit Mission: Pause the game, then Press , , and  START  at the same time.

Cybernetic Modifications

Being a cyberpunk game, it is possible to equip your agents with cybernetic parts to improve performance. Mods must be researched before being purchased. Quality of mods are between Level 1 to 3.

	Chest
	Increases damage resistance. Level 2 and 3 also allows self-destruction command.
	Arms
	Allows heavy weapons such as Minigun and Flamer to be used.
	Legs
	Increases movement speed.
	Eyes
	Increases accuracy with weapons.
	Brain
	Increases intelligence level of API and success rate with Persuadertron.
	Heart
	Increases damage resistance and carrying strenght for inventory.

Weapons and Equipment

Various weapons and equipment can be used if acquired in levels or developed through research.

	Pistol
	Avaiable from start. Large caliber pistol. Medium range, medium damage, slow rate of fire. Free to purchase and reload.
	Shotgun
	Short range but considerable firepower. Slow rate of fire.
	Persuadertron
	A device that manipulates the CHIP on indiviuals' bodies and makes them open to manipulation. An important device to gain new agents or at least use civilians for shields. Formula for this device is a bit complicated and will be explained in a separate section. Avaiable from start.
	Uzi
	Rapid fire submachinegun. Same range as pistol but much higher fire rate. Will be your primary weapon until Minigun is developed.
	Long Range
	Sniper Rifle. Exceptional range and accuracy but very limited ammo count.
	Flamer
	Portable flamethrower. Fires jellified napalm that burns targets to ash. Short range but kills most human enemies instantly. Destroys equipment on enemies as well.
	Minigun
	Powerful six barrelled automatic weapon. Will become your primary weapon due to balanced stats and large ammo count. Requires arm mods to be used effectively however due to the sheer weight.
	Laser Gun
	An accurate, powerful and long ranged weapon. Useful but just like Flamer, destroys equipment worn by enemies.
	Gauss Gun
	Portable rocket launcher with three rockets. Causes explosion on impact. Very powerful and long ranged. Destroys equipment worn by enemies.
	Time Bomb
	Explodes a few seconds after setting down. Can also be triggered by shooting at it. Large explosion range and firepower.
	Medikit
	Completely fills agent's health but can only be used once.
	Energy Shield
	If activated, it will protect the agent until it runs out of power. It can slowly recharge itself if not used.

Trivia

SNES version, which is very similar to Mega Drive/Genesis port, Flamer weapon is replaced with "Chiller" which freezes enemies. Nintendo of America appearently believes that freezing enemies to death is preferable to burning them alive.

Production credits

• Original Game by: Bullfrog Productions Ltd
• Producer: Mark Webley
• Programmer: ZZKJ
• Original Version: Sean Cooper
• Level Design: Sean Masterson, John Murdoch, Alex Trowers
• Graphics: Paul McLaughlin, Fin McGechie, Mike Man, Chris Hill, Andy Sandham, Alex Trowers
• Sound & Music: Russell Shaw
• Management: Les Edgar, Peter Molyneux
• Sound Implementation: Images Software
• Support: Mark Lamport, Sean Cooper
• Testing: Andy CakeBread, Stuart Dick, Graeme Allan, Mark Williamson, Nick Hannah, Phillip Cooper, Michael Anscomb, Sean Clutterbuck, Ben H, Alvin Buchanan, Paul Nettleingham, John Rennie, Trevor Elliott, John Nurse, Colin Poulter, Che Garner-Hamilton, Paul Boulden

For Electronic Arts

• Producer: Matt Webster
• Assistant Producer: Danny Isaac
• Executive Producer: Joss Ellis
• Product Manager: Sean Ratcliffe
• Documentation: Neil Cook
• Documentation Design: Chris Morgan
• Documentation Layout: Michael Lippert
• Lead Tester: Darren King
• Testing: Julian Glover, Graham Harbour, Matt Price, Mark Bergan
• Quality Assurance: Graham Wood, Zachary Rosen

Source:

US manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Syndicate/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score 1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) 80 Cool Gamer (RU) 80 Computer & Video Games (UK) 90 Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U 75 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU) 80 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 5 (RU) 90 Game Players (US) NTSC-U 78 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 70 Gamers (DE) PAL 47 Game Informer (US) NTSC-U 72 Hobby Consolas (ES) 75 Joypad (FR) 65 MAN!AC (DE) PAL 80 Mega (UK) PAL 93 Mega Force (FR) PAL 90 Mega Fun (DE) PAL 67 Micro Kid's Multimédia (FR) 75 Micromanía (segunda época) (ES) 90 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 90 Next Generation (US) 25 Player One (FR) 67 Play Time (DE) PAL 79 Score (CZ) 68 Sega Magazine (UK) PAL 90 Sega Power (UK) PAL 90 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 67 Todo Sega (ES) 84 Tricks 16 bit (RU) 86 VideoGames (US) NTSC-U 60

	76
Based on 29 reviews

Syndicate

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU (4 Language Manual)
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU (5 Language Manual)
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, PT
Cover

Mega Drive, AU
Cover

Mega Drive, CZ (Datart)
Manual

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

{{{{{icon}}}|L}}
Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score Player One (FR) 75 Sega Magazine (UK) PAL 88 Sega Power (UK) PAL 83

	82
Based on 3 reviews

Syndicate

Mega-CD, EU
Cover
Spinecard Disc Manual

Technical information

Main article: Syndicate/Technical information.

References

NEC Retro has more information related to Syndicate