6. Close Combat
With a new era comes the implications upon combat. Assassin's Creed: Syndicate provides a new emphasis on close-quarter combat and, unlike its predecessors, will focus upon melee, brawls and skirmishes. Ubisoft Quebec have stayed true to the spirit of the Victorian era - introducing police to regulate conduct and lawfulness, whilst including the emergence of gangs and organised crime as a direct consequence of the social revolutions taking place. As such, individuals cannot freely bear arms in public, forcing gangs and the Assassins to wield concealed weapons. In the promotional material and footages, Jacob can be seen brandishing various weapons unique within the series. The gang wars and street brawls are characterised by close-range fist-fights, where Jacob wields his brass-knuckles. We are treated to mass confrontations in the London boroughs in a bid to exert dominance over rival gang members, briefly pulling a six-shooter revolver to dispatch enemies with surprise. Yet, it remains to be seen how this will be received by the gaming public; but for the moment, the shift in focus from sword-play to close, fists-fights is enough to pique curiosity. Throughout the course of character trailers, we learn more about the Frye twins' arsenal - including throwing-hallucinogenic darts to kill and manipulate AI, the quick and deadly kukri blade and the stylish and brutal cane sword.