Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: Why It Still Struggles on PS5
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Understanding the PS5 Backward Compatibility
The PS5 boasts a strong backward compatibility feature for PS4 titles, allowing many games to run as smoothly or even better than they did on the PS4 Pro. Notably, several high-profile releases have received updates that enhance frame rates and introduce exclusive PS5 features such as improved haptic feedback. However, there exists a limited selection of games that either fail to launch or present significant issues upon starting. When such problems occur, players are greeted with a notification indicating potential issues.
Among the games affected, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate stands out due to its prominent flickering issues, especially in outdoor lighting scenarios. This is particularly disappointing given the game's popularity and accessibility.
The Flickering Dilemma of Syndicate
When playing Syndicate on PS5, the flickering of shadows and sunlight becomes evident during outdoor scenes or near windows, creating a jarring visual experience. It’s perplexing since Syndicate’s technology is similar to other titles in the Assassin’s Creed franchise that run well on the PS5. Despite the loud outcry from fans, Ubisoft has made no substantial effort to rectify this situation, which is quite surprising considering the game's status.
In a recent update, Ubisoft did address some issues with Syndicate, but the game still suffers from its flickering problem, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
The Current State of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
While Syndicate isn't a low-budget title, its sales numbers may not justify the resources for a significant patch. Recently, Sony partnered with Ubisoft to include several older titles in the PlayStation Plus subscription service. Fans anticipated that Syndicate would be part of this lineup, but its absence raised concerns. When it finally appeared, the flickering issues remained unresolved, much to the dismay of dedicated players.
As an avid fan of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, I believe it deserves a more cherished legacy. Having primarily played it on PC and Xbox, I also own a digital copy for PS4, which I purchased at a discounted price. After investing hours into the game for previous articles, I gifted my PS4 Pro to a friend, believing it would be easier to transition to a PS5. Now that I own one, I was eager to revisit this classic, especially with the advantages of the enhanced hardware.
The Frustration of Game Preservation
It's unusual to focus an article on how an older game continues to malfunction on new hardware, but the circumstances surrounding Syndicate's flickering are too significant to ignore. Players identified these issues almost immediately after the PS5's release, voicing their frustrations online for the past two years, yet Ubisoft's responses have been vague and unsatisfactory. The recent deal to bring Ubisoft's games to PlayStation Plus only highlighted the absence of Syndicate, leading to further disappointment.
Ubisoft's other titles, such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Origins, run smoothly on the PS5, even receiving dedicated patches to enhance performance. It's bewildering why Syndicate, built on a similar technology, continues to have these issues, especially when its counterpart, Assassin’s Creed Unity, seems unaffected.
Perhaps there's an underlying technical issue that Ubisoft hasn't been able to address, or the solution requires extensive effort that the company is unwilling to invest in. Unfortunately, this is a broader reflection of the gaming industry, where the preservation of older titles often takes a backseat to potential profit from new releases. Although console manufacturers are embracing backward compatibility, software developers must also prioritize support for their legacy titles.
Looking Ahead: A Wish for Legacy Consideration
While I’m glad to see Ubisoft returning to the essence of the older Assassin’s Creed games, I wish there was a more concerted effort to enable fans to revisit these classics across all platforms. The recent changes to the icons for the Assassin’s Creed series on consoles show minimal effort to honor the franchise's legacy.
At least I can still enjoy Syndicate on PC or Xbox, experiencing its charm and adventure. However, it’s disheartening that PS5 users are left out of this experience, especially given the console's popularity.
Thank you for your time, and happy gaming!