Satellite Reign (new Syndicate)

I know most of you are old farts so you should remember this gem of a game Syndicate http://www.denofgeek.com/games/syndicate/32262/celebrating-syndicate-the-ultimate-videogame-dystopia Good little write as well.


The creator of Syndicate is making a a new based on Syndicate.

http://satellitereign.com/the-game/

Looking promising.

 

Just found some alpha in game play through.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6GXjpXMzbRK3Hxd5VwSgrqjbS3pNVCX-

 

Yea I'm a Kickstarter backer on Satellite Reign, they shoot out updates every once in a while, I'll let you guys know how it is when there's something playable.

 

I'm so happy!

 

Mad Mad MAD about Syndicate back in the day. Too bad the Evil EA machine gobbled up Bullfrog...

But they're back now!

 

Bullfrog, Bitmap brothers, Sierra. All great devs back in the day, I do believe Sierria are back making a new game as well now.

 

Ok Early Access kicked off, being a kickstart backer I have access... downloading, will report.

 

I hope they've resurrected some of the old ways of doing things and not just "The EA Way" with necrophilia / wearing Sierra's skin on their faces.
And you forgot Microprose!

 

Yes indeed Mircoprose, I once set up for two days playing Grand Prix manager.

 

So played a little. Overall they've built a good world to start off, but the game is very obviously still in alpha. They have one large district up and running, and its actually fairly big. I didn't want to walk across at one point so I hacked a car and drove my team to the other side. Fun part was I realized since I stole a cop car it went right through security gates without hacking required.

Anyway, you have a team of 4, your first mission is to actually free one of your jailed compatriots. There are no internal areas, all outside only. Gameplay is fairly rudimentary but they have some elements in. You can move, run, hack ATMs, hack security cameras to turn them off (otherwise they see you and alert the authorities), shoot things, shoot special attacks ('knockback' shots), hack cars. You can also adjust your loadout (basic stuff), research things you found to be able to buy them later, set mission markers, etc. Interaction is very basic, descriptions are placeholders, many elements aren't in the game, but I'd say its a decent start. I wouldn't buy into it yet though. Stealth isn't bad either, you can easily snap your team into cover, cover is directional and will cover you from cameras and cops from seeing you. Sneaking around is viable, as is blowing shit up.

The steam page has a good amount of screenshots and stuff: http://steamcommunity.com/app/268870

 

Maybe this will be in nice shape by the time I can buy it
I like where they're headed. Looks good.

 

Excellent re-creation of the original from what I see in motion.

See now.. This is one of those things you're supposed to bring to us BEFORE the Kickstarter closes. *rolls up newspaper*

 

Picked it up yesterday.

YOU LIKE SYNDICATE?! WE GOT SYNDICATE! YOU LIKE SHADOWRUN AND CYBERPUNK 2020?! WE DON'T GOT THAT!

But, by GOD, it's as close as you can get without the franchise license.

You build a team of four agents. Soldier, Support, Hacker, and Infiltrator. Each has specific skills to augment their role plus some catch-all improvements (weapon damage, health, and carry capacity).

You could compare the gameplay to a smooth combination of games like the original Syndicate, Commandos (where each team member has a skill to help with specific tasks), and the likes of Baldur's Gate/PillarsOfEternity (where goals are everywhere and it's up to you how you go about completing them). The interface is smooth and rebindable. Graphics are gawdjus (you can zoom in to an almost street level from your adjustable isometric view) and animations are well-molded.

Combat is as simple as it was in the first game. Find cover. Shoot enemies. The agent AI takes care of just about everything else with some hot-key skills for you to use now and then (grenades... ASPLOSIONS!).

Gear is found (as prototypes that are lost if your agent dies), purchased (as prototypes, again, once-offs), or constructed via blueprints and RESEARCH (research is BACK, Bitches!).

Remember cloning? Well, of course you don't. I mean, technically, the agents in the original Syndicate games were clones, but that was more context and backstory than actual game mechanic. Guess what. It's a f!$king mechanic now. You run around the city with your scanner on (neato wire-frame graphics that highlight enemies, points of interest, and other useful bits) and scan civilians. Most are normals with no advantageous traits. Some can be notable, however, and have genetic traits for more health, speed, or health regeneration. Those are choice.

Get 'em. Hack their brains. Kidnap Convince them to join you and clone them as one of your agents. New clone gets a new look as well as the new and improved stats, keeps the skills assigned to the slot, and has all the wiz-bang chrome you installed in the last iteration.

The old meat? Do whatever you like, but the industry term is "Disposal".

Moving around the city feels a lot like the old games but with more pixels (GORGEOUS environment). Move the screen, click here, and the team goes. Pathing is superb with few glitches. Select specific agents and split up (required for some objectives) or move as a group. Weapons out and noticeable (you're gonna get spotted) or covert (there are areas that scan for them).

The AI looks like it's got somewhere to go and places to be. Guards and Drones of varying quality (and factions) patrol the streets, secure compounds, and private facilities. Provided your weapons are concealed, they won't even blink as you walk past on the street. The secure facilities marked on the map, however, will get you a trespassing charge (unless it's the Russians. They're grumpy). Do nothing, and you'll be escorted out (if left alone, your agents will obey the guards and move themselves). Resist, or avoid the area you're told to move to and they'll open fire. As a treat, the different corporations and law enforcement don't always get along. I pissed off some cops and bolted into a secure facility run by the Russians. The cops that chased me got into a fight with the Ruskies and I was able to find an alley to duck into.

Missions are free form. "This is your goal. These are the locations of things to help you reach that goal. You should probably do them, eventually, but you're the boss." Raid a bio-orthotics lab and steal some new cybertech designs. Attack a surveillance office and screw with their facial recognition software (makes cameras take longer to notice you). Break into an armory to get some flash hardware. Rob. A. Mother. F!$king. Bank.

Bribery, extortion, and murder are all tools you get to use. There are so many options for completing each stage of each mission. I'm playing smart/stealth for now, but am looking forward to playing it again once I've finished, just to see what it's like to go heavy.

If they make a sequel, I'm all over it like chrome on a street-samurai.

 

On a billboard in game:



Full album of the music in the video: Lazerhawk

 

Yea I have this, I haven't had time to sit down and really play yet, did like 10 minutes the other day but been on vacay for 6 days. Since the glowing review I guess I'll give it a go.

 

I already own it!

It does sound very interesting.