Top 5 New Features in 'Assassin's Creed Syndicate'

Now that the next entry in the longstanding Assassin's Creed franchise has been revealed, fans have a medley of reasons to be excited for the new game. Being fortunate enough to get a sneak peek at the title before its official unveiling, however, we were quick to nail down five new aspects of Assassin's Creed Syndicate that make us excited for the game's inevitable arrival.

The next entry in the beloved series has a number of new features for gamers to anticipate, but we've selected a handful that best showcase what hopeful players have to look forward to later this year. With all of that said, here are five reasons why we're excited for the newly announced Assassin's Creed Syndicate.

Setting

With each new installment in the franchise, a new setting is almost a given. Outside of the initial Ezio-based trilogy, Assassin's Creed has done a good job at mixing up the locales of each entry and the same holds true with Assassin's Creed Syndicate. Taking place in London, England during 1868, wannabe assassins are thrown into a revolution that ushered in the modern world as we know it – more specifically, the Industrial Revolution.

During this era, inventions such as the train, steam boat, and telegraph brought with them the beginning of many of the modern conveniences that we utilize every day. There was a lot happening during this time frame, and it's going to be interesting to see how historical figures like Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin interact with the narrative this time around.

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Page 2: The Streets of London

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Better Use of the Environment

As one would expect from a change of setting, there will be a very different look and feel to the forthcoming Assassin's Creed. What's different this time, though, is how players will interact with the dark and dreary English landscape. Implemented into the game is a much more in-depth system for utilizing the environment in a more realistic manner, albeit still adrenaline-packed and chock full of a seemingly insurmountable number of attackers.

A new system for detecting the environment around players will allow them to use walls and other in-game structures as tools for dismantling hostiles. Those that prefer sneaking around will have a much easier time as well, with increased options at their disposal for stealth takedowns. Barrels hanging precariously over an enemy? Bring it down on them. Guards huddling around a fire? Shoot a berserk dart into the flames and watch those around the blaze begin to attack one another as they inhale the fumes. These are just a few examples of what players can do in their new stomping grounds.

Carriage Hijacking

In some Assassin's Creed games, players occasionally utilized horses (or in some instances boats) to get around. Admittedly, galloping across plains or setting sail on the open sea are far better than saddling up on the old heel-toe express, but fast travel quickly became a preferred method for traversing the massive in-game world. Hoping users take the time to immerse themselves in the, admittedly, gorgeous English setting this time around, the developers at Ubisoft will allow players to jump into carriages and cruise the street of London whenever they please.

With the implementation of this commonplace vehicle comes with it a number of combat options, which are sure to give players a very different means of battling the Templar. Taking the fight to the roofs of moving buggies, hiding out in the back of a carriage in the midst of a manhunt, or jumping between vehicles while escaping – these are what the carriages bring to the table and the end result appears action-packed.

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Page 3: Quick Traversal & Multiple Heroes

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Rope Launcher

Sticking with the theme of traversal, the newest tool at players' disposals is the rope launcher. Utilized solely as a means of getting around the environment, this gadget is sure to become one of the most engaging additions debuting in Assassin's Creed Syndicate for a number of reasons. For starters, it's going to make getting away from a hoard of disgruntled pursuers a much easier task. Utilizing the tool is as easy as aiming and tapping a button, but there's a whole host of other uses for the grappling hook of sorts.

One major aspect of the rope launcher is the ability to make zip lines between rooftops, which adds an entire dimension to the way assassins can go about executing strategies and unsuspecting patrolmen. Zipping from one rooftop to another or dangling precariously over the enemy before plunging a hidden blade into their necks makes tearing down strongholds a much easier (and at times strategic) task. Despite this, the new found zip line generator can't be used as a weapon, which is sure to be disappointing to some.

Two Main Characters

In the wake of controversy surrounding the lack of playable female characters in Assassin's Creed Unity, the team behind Syndicate has ensured that the issue will be nowhere to be found in its new game. This time around, players will be able to suit up as either Jacob or Evie Frye – a pair of twin assassins that were raised and trained on the outskirts of England. These newcomers have been honing their skills in a bid to take down the Templar for quite awhile, so they're highly skilled killers by the time the core game gets underway.

Setting aside the skills of the two siblings, it also marks the first time in franchise history that there are two central characters made playable throughout the entire campaign. Players will be able to jump between Jacob and Evie whenever they want – only having to play one or the other during certain missions. Whenever gallivanting around the open world, though, users have a constant choice in the matter of which individual they want to play as.

What do you think of our list? Are there any other reasons you're excited for the newest Assassin's Creed?

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