There is just no way around it - this game has to compare to Deus EX HR, particularly as the setting is nearly 100% identical. DX HR actually wasted many opportunities to send a strong message and yet still had more substance than 50 Syndicate /Remake\ games combined.
I don't think this game is really competing with DX. DX:HR was an open-ended action RPG, whereas Syndicate is a rigidly scripted and linear corridor shooter. It's competing more with Call of Duty than DX:HR.
I do agree that it would have been nice to have had some meaningful choice in Syndicate. That would have made it a far more compelling game.
The train murder scene has absolutely no reason to exist. Its just shock effect for the sake of it.
I can't really agree with that. The purpose of the violence is to help establish Merit's character and the nature of the business itself. It really nails down the fact that Merit holds no regard for human life and that he very likely does such things on a regular basis, which in turn gives you a good sense of how your corporation conducts business. These scenes were created for that specific purpose. It should be noted that there are many scenes in the level where you have the option of killing civilians but the freedom to refrain. The fact that you can't prevent Merit from killing civilians is disappointing, but it doesn't mean that his actions serve no purpose.
This comment was edited on Feb 27, 2012, 02:33.