A couple weeks after the previous update, Ubisoft has released Assassin’s Creed Syndicate update 1.03 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One today, which fixes issues and improves performance.
Taking up 150MB if you downloaded update 1.02, or about 750MB if you have no other updates downloaded, here’s the full list of patch notes for today’s Syndicate update:
Online
- Fixed a display issue with add-on price for the Season Pass owners
- Fixed an issue where sometimes The Ubisoft Club Rewards couldn’t be equipped right after redeeming them
AI/NPC
- Fixed an issue in the Gang War activity where enemy NPCs would sometimes disappear after eliminating the gang leader
Game System
- Fixed an issue where it was sometimes possible to switch gear when the player was not supposed to
- Fixed an issue where switching characters could cause two instances of Evie to appear
World/3D/Menu/HUD
- Fixed an issue where the “Letter from the Front“ collectibles would not appear on the minimap
- Fixed an issue with the brightness of the map in the “Strange Bed fellows” mission
- Fixed some collisions and navigation issues
- Fixed some icons issues
- Fixed an issue where the Kenway flag model would not appear after obtaining it
Fight
- Fixed an issue where, in some cases, the player would not always play his hurt animation
Mission
- Fixed an issue with ally stations that sometimes prevented the player from hiring them
- Fixed an issue in the “Change of Plans” mission where the gate from the sewers could be locked, thus blocking the player’s progression
Behavior
- Fixed some issues with the player’s animations
- Fixed some issues where the player could get stuck in specific places
- Fixed an issue in the “Darwin kidnapping” mission where, in some cases, the player could not carry him anymore
Stability/Performance
- Improved performance and stability
You can read our review of Syndicate over here, where we said, “Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is a safe entry in the franchise. This is the second next-gen-only game in the series, so technical hiccups are fewer and less severe.”
[Source: Ubisoft]
AC Syndicate Info Dump
-
Assassin's Creed Syndicate - Everything You Need to Know
-
Welcome to London
Officially announced in May this year, Assassin's Creed Syndicate will put players in the shoes of twin assassins Jacob Frye and Evie Frye in 19th century London. During the industrial revolution, the rich became richer and the poor became poorer. Monarchy and church were losing power, and desperation among lower classes gave birth to organized crime. Enter the siblings, who then decided to "reclaim the city by force."
-
The Fryes
As previously mentioned, Assassin's Creed fans will be able to take on the role of two characters - Jacob and Evie Frye. Although Evie's role involves guiding players through certain portions of the story, she's quite an important part of the game. Evie also comes with her own unique stealth abilities, which you can check out here. You can also see both siblings in action in this video.
-
Other Characters
In line with the series tradition, players will come across quite a few persons from history in Syndicate. These include, but aren't limited to, Alexander Graham Bell, Karl Marx, and Charles Dickens. For a full list of historical characters, click here.
In addition to the above, Syndicate will also introduce a transgender character to the series for the first time ever. Ned Wynert is a transgender male who will act as a quest-giver to the player.
-
The Antagonists
Yes, we know it's the Templars. But who are the Templars in London during the Industrial Revolution? They're the people who are reaping the fruits of invention and prosperity built on the backs of working class slaves. Just look at them!
-
No Multiplayer
There's no multiplayer in Syndicate. Ubisoft decided to focus solely on the single-player experience this year in an attempt to return to the series roots. According to Creative Director Marc-Alexis Côté, what made the Assassin's Creed franchise successful in the first place was the single-player component.
-
Why Victorian London?
Assassin's Creed fans had been requesting a Victorian London setting among others for a long time, but it wasn't until now that Ubisoft decided to opt for it. However, it wasn't just a random decision. Creative Director Marc-Alexis Côté said that the series needs to be modernized a bit, and there’s no better way to do it than to set it during “an age of transformation” like the industrial revolution.
Côté went on to say that the city of London in the 1800s is one of the team’s “biggest investments.” The Thames and Lambeth certainly look beautiful.
-
No Companion App or Random Side-Missions
A lot of people were put off by Assassin's Creed Unity's companion app integration last year. I mean, you had to actually fiddle with the app to unlock some of the in-game chests. It seems that Ubisoft took a hint, and decided to do away with a companion app this year. Yep, no companion app whatsoever! But that's not all.
Creative Director Marc-Alexis Côté also said that there won't be any random side-missions in the game because the developer wants all side-activities to actually make sense in the game and fit into the narrative.
-
But It Will Have Micro-Transactions...
Do expect micro-transactions similar to those in Black Flag. According to Ubisoft's Francois Pelland, Syndicate will include "paid options to save time and accelerate progress."
-
Gameplay
Syndicate's gameplay needs no introduction. It's Assassin's Creed, after all. But for those interested in seeing what the game plays like, here's a walkthrough video, and here's some gameplay from E3 2015.
In one interview, Senior Producer François Pelland said that multi-kill finishers will return in Syndicate.
-
Previews
If gameplay videos don't convince you, we have a preview each from E3 2015 and PAX Prime 2015 for you to check out. Have a read through to see what's in store.
-
PS4 Bundle & Exclusive Missions
At E3 2015, Ubisoft announced that Syndicate will come with PS4-exclusive Penny Dreadul-themed missions, known as The Dreadful Crimes as well as a 1TB PS4 bundle. Follow the links for full details.
-
The Mandatory Collector's Editions
Want a Hidden Blade Gauntlet or a Cane Sword? You'll have to pre-order either The Assassin’s Legendary Hidden Blade and Gauntlet Edition or the Cane Sword Edition.
-
Pre-Order Bonus
The Darwin and Dickens Conspiracy is included with all pre-orders of Syndicate, with Ubisoft promising over 45 minutes of content. According to an official description, "Embark on two pulse-quickening missions that will take you into the inner sanctums of London’s most influential men."
-
Season Pass
Syndicate's season pass will include quite a few story DLCs, one of which is the Jack the Ripper campaign unveiled at Tokyo Game Show 2015. The Season Pass is included in the Gold Edition of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, the full contents of which are detailed here.
-
Free Outfits
Following Syndicate's launch, Ubisoft will release two themed outfits for free worldwide - one each for Jacob and Evie. Evie’s “Dr. Daniel’s Garments” outfit will be available on November 3, and Jacob’s “The Creature’s Rags” outfit will be available on November 17.
-
Score by Austin Wintory
Grammy-nominated Austin Wintory, who is known for his work on Journey, will be behind the music in Assassin's Creed Syndicate. Wintory said that he was a long-time player of the franchise, and gathered inspiration for the score by looking at the diverse personalities of Syndicate's protagonists as well as the Victorian London era.
-
Trophies/Achievements
A list of Syndicate's achievements leaked online recently, and although the PS4 trophy list isn't out yet, it's safe to assume that it'll be more or less the same. There are 49 achievements in total, all of which are listed here.
