A message to game designers: blending the best parts of some of the best games from the past few years does not make a great game. “Syndicate” is a perfect example. The game is an amalgamation of elements from “Mass Effect,” “Crysis” and “Deus Ex: Human Revolution,” but it fails to convert these components into a good game. The campaign is derivative and repetitive, making it almost a chore to slug through the last half of the story. But surprisingly, the game has a terrific co-op mode and outstanding graphics. The game play mechanics are in no way original, but they at least aren’t frustrating. There are some bright spots about “Syndicate,” but in the end, they’re overshadowed by an end product that’s too imitative to be enjoyable.
Grade: C-