Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Syndicate Wars refines the dark isometric action/strategy formula of its predecessor by placing you in command of a four-agent squad as you vie for control of the globe. From the outset, the game’s tight blend of real-time tactics and frenetic combat demands careful positioning of your agents while allowing you to unleash devastating firepower at a moment’s notice. The rotatable 3D city views give you a full tactical perspective, letting you zoom in on chokepoints or pull back for a bird’s-eye view to plan simultaneous assaults.

The campaign spans 60 intense missions across 30 sprawling cities, each with its own layout, objectives, and environmental hazards. Rather than dumping you into a mission without context, Syndicate Wars delivers mission briefs via in-game emails that drip-feed narrative and strategic intel. This email-based system not only provides a nice break between firefights, but also helps you to tailor your squad’s upgrades and equipment loadouts to the specific challenges ahead.

One of the game’s standout features is its expanded arsenal. Nuclear grenades and psycho gas add layers of tactical depth—use the former to clear fortified areas or deny zones, the latter to sow panic among enemy forces. Meanwhile, futuristic transport options—from underground pneumatic tubes to overhead monorail systems and free-roaming antigrav vehicles—keep traversal fresh and fast-paced. For those craving more mayhem, the PC version even offers 8-player battles over modem or LAN, extending the life of the title well beyond the single-player campaign.

Graphics

Visually, Syndicate Wars marks a notable leap forward by introducing fully rotatable 3D environments while retaining the isometric viewpoint that fans of the original love. Buildings cast realistic shadows, and the varied terrain—from neon-lit downtown districts to grimy industrial zones—feels cohesive and lived-in. The level of detail on agent models and enemy cyborgs holds up surprisingly well for a late-’90s release.

The game’s color palette enhances the dystopian atmosphere. Neon signage flickers against rain-slick streets, lending both style and visibility as you navigate tight alleyways. Explosions and weapon effects pack a punch, with muzzle flashes and debris making it clear when your nuclear grenade has done its job or when psycho gas has turned hostile forces into gibbering wrecks.

Even the UI strikes a balance between form and function. Health bars, ammo counts, and weapon icons are neatly arranged along the bottom of the screen, ensuring you never lose sight of the action. Contextual tooltips and mission brief overlays also integrate smoothly, so you spend more time playing and less time digging through menus.

Story

In Syndicate Wars, narrative unfolds through terse, often ominous emails that report on civilian casualties, corporate profits, and back-alley betrayals. You can choose to lead either the ruthless EuroCorp Syndicate or the fanatical Church of the New Epoch, each with its own branded motivations for world domination. Choosing a side not only changes your ideological pitch but also adds replay value as you see how each faction spins the same events to suit its propaganda machine.

While there are no fully voiced cutscenes, the sparse but effective writing paints a picture of a world on the brink of collapse, where loyalty is a luxury and morality is a currency. Secondary characters—including rogue agents and black-market tech dealers—add glimpses of humanity (and depravity) that break up the steady march of violent conquest. Their side missions flesh out the political intrigues simmering beneath the surface of each city.

The progression across 30 unique urban environments enhances the storytelling by showing the real-world impact of your actions. One mission might involve liberating a besieged district from insurgents, while the next task sees you quashing a civilian uprising that your own forces inadvertently sparked. This cycle of creation and destruction underlines the game’s core theme: absolute power is absolute corruption.

Overall Experience

Syndicate Wars manages to strike a rare balance between addictive gameplay and a thought-provoking setting. The campaign offers dozens of hours of content, especially once you factor in the branching mission paths and the two distinct factions you can command. Multiplayer adds yet another layer, letting you field custom squads in heated skirmishes against friends or AI opponents.

That said, there is a learning curve. Mastering 3D navigation and weapon synergies can take time, and the lack of an extensive tutorial means intrepid players might fumble through early missions. However, once you get the hang of micro-managing health, movement, and ammo in real time, the satisfaction of executing a flawless sweep through enemy lines is immense.

For strategy fans seeking high-octane action and cyberpunk aficionados craving a gritty narrative, Syndicate Wars delivers on both fronts. Its combination of strategic depth, dystopian storytelling, and futuristic flair makes it a standout title of its era—one that still holds up as a compelling purchase for anyone interested in the crossroads of action and strategy gaming.

Retro Replay Score

7.7/10