Sovereign Syndicate is a story-driven CRPG brought to you by the talented writers and developers at Crimson Herring Studios. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn’t do well, and if it’s worth your time and money.
Sovereign Syndicate Review Overview
Sovereign Syndicate Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Gold-Standard Character Writing Expertly Executed World-Building Your Decisions Matter, Even the Ones You Don't Expect | This Game is an Acquired Taste Slow Progression Consequences are Hard to Predict |
Sovereign Syndicate Overall Score - 84/100
Sovereign Syndicate is a masterclass in character writing in video game form. I cannot understate how enthralling an experience it was to go through the game’s unique setting, perpetually hungry for even the tiniest scrap of detail as I piece together what little I already had. Additionally, the world-building of this game is exquisite, and its hand-painted visuals back it up perfectly. No character is an afterthought, and neither is the gameplay, which is a great combination of descriptive storytelling and CRPG-style decision-making.
Sovereign Syndicate Story - 10/10
If Sovereign Syndicate wasn't already a CRPG, I'd rather have it as a book or graphic novel; that's how well-written its story is. RPGs are generally driven by their narratives, but if your run-of-the-mill RPG has a go-kart, Sovereign Syndicate is pulling up in a Bugatti. It’s an absolute powerhouse when it comes to compelling narratives and endearing characterization. I'd say it's comparable to the genre greats like Disco Elysium and Undertale.
Sovereign Syndicate Gameplay - 7/10
Sovereign Syndicate's gameplay plays like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book crossed with Baldur's Gate 3, where story snippets are bookended by important decisions that are likely to succeed or fail based on your stats. It's refreshing to see such choices make a difference in this day and age, where many games would rather give you the illusion of choice instead of an actual one. The gameplay is hard-carried by the story, though, and is far too simplistic to be anything more than a min-maxable visual novel.
Sovereign Syndicate Visuals - 9/10
I'll be frank and say that I'm a sucker for games that look like oil paintings, so Sovereign Syndicate had a score boost. That being said, the game also earns this score in another way. It looks good, sure, but I'm scoring it this high for its attention to detail and great visual world-building as well. Victorian Steampunk Fantasy is a niche aesthetic, to say the least, but if you ever need to explain to a friend what that aesthetic entails, you can just show them a screenshot of this game and it'd be spot on.
Sovereign Syndicate Audio - 8/10
Providing music for a game like Sovereign Syndicate is harder than it sounds. That’s because it shouldn't be so complex as to take its players’ attention away from the story but also not so drab that it becomes background static while you read it. Sovereign Syndicate hits the nail on the head with this one, providing a musical score that pulls you in and enhances the experience by setting the mood through another medium. Sadly, this is a game that could have benefited from voice-acting but had none to speak of.
Sovereign Syndicate Value for Money - 8/10
If we're measuring its Value for Money score through the sheer volume of playtime alone, then this game's well worth its $18 asking price. However, it is an acquired taste and those unaware of the nuances expected from the genre might consider themselves robbed. The game is a narrative feast, but not one packaged in the most commercially palatable way, so buyers beware.
Sovereign Syndicate Review: Truly an Acquired Taste
I'll lay the metaphors a bit thick for this review because Sovereign Syndicate is truly something else. It unceasingly piques my interest but lies far beyond my ability to precisely describe. With that in mind, let's get on with the review of what is probably the most compelling CRPG since Disco Elysium.
Have you ever read a book so immersive that you felt lost when you laid it down? As if the waking world wasn't real and your journey in the book's pages was where you belonged? This was what I felt when I finished Sovereign Syndicate. Sitting in my room for a moment, I felt lost, like I was really a massive minotaur going through Victorian-era London and not a human. This is the mark of a good story rife with details and intrigue. I didn’t realize it at the time but, like a haddock baking on a wharf, I was already hooked.
Sovereign Syndicate is a CRPG that prides itself on its complex story, unique setting, and usage of tarot cards to simulate risk in its dialogue options. It is an equal parts visual novel and role-playing game, although your control over the protagonist's appearance, stats, features, and backstory is negligible at best. This isn't Baldur's Gate 3. There is a story to be told with pre-established characters, and you are one of them. Since the story is the game’s main selling point, I'll start this review by getting you up to speed on it.
There are three stories comprising Sovereign Syndicate's main narrative, each of which is attached to a unique character that you'll go through in an episodic fashion. Going through all three, they seem entirely unique from one another. The first one you'll go through covers the story of Atticus Daley, a runaway minotaur orphan with a penchant for smashing heads, and his encounter with the Stranger in the Gold Mask. This part of the story is gritty and dingy, with barely anything to interact with besides plenty of crates to smash. Here, the story has a wild, almost feral theme, where there's no carousing to be had and only a runaway's cunning to get you by. The tone is dark and depressing, yet very humble compared to the next one.
The second story is about Clara Reed, a call girl by profession but a corsair by heart. Its tone is vastly different from the first, taking place in the sunlit streets of London instead of in its dimly lit alleyways. Talking is the name of the game for Clara, as there are plenty of people in London and plenty of mysteries to solve. Hers is a far less confrontational story that focuses on more methodical means. Careful navigation of the streets’ intricacies and people's wiles will get you what you need. The third story covers Otto the Automaton, a robot made by Teddy Redgrave, a dwarf mechanic (a boffin, as the Brits would say). His story was much faster and involved a lot less introspection – exactly what one would expect from a robot.
With that rundown of the plot done, let's get to the game itself and how it expertly sets up these plots to breathe life into its setting and characters. This game is a masterclass in character writing because it goes through the checklist of everything a character must be to be considered good. It’s a long list, but to name a few qualities a character must bear to be compelling, we have a relatable backstory, a realistic and actionable goal, and most importantly, a personality that’s not necessarily pleasing but sensical for their current station in life.
The game does this for its three main characters, then does so for a few of the NPCs. Each of their backstories is well-written and compelling, written to be a source for their current predicament without sounding too grand or fantastical. Take Atticus Daley’s backstory for example. He was an orphan turned thug after running away from an orphanage where he was ostracized for being a minotaur. Living with the guilt of what he had to do to escape, he now drowns his regrets with liquor and tries to do good by others when he can. His current goal is to find his mother, whom he presumed dead. Similarly, Clara Reed wants to escape from London to live her life the way she’s always wanted to: as a corsair in the high seas.
They talk in the parlance of people from their era, so much so, in fact, that the game actively has to define things for the modern reader because certain words have been out of fashion for centuries. All of this is presented in a world so unequivocally within the Victorian era. This game really took to its world-building assignment and went absolutely ham on the details.
All the little things add up to a believable, immersive world while not veering too close to any stereotypical setting pieces. There are fantasy races, yes, but their physiologies and histories were recontextualized to fit Victorian-era practices. For example, Cyclopses exist in this world but are seen as animalistic thugs because one of them – some chap named Polyphemus – terrorized the Mediterranean centuries ago.
Regarding the game’s overall aesthetic, Steampunk is a concept based on Victorian-era technologies. Since the game is set in that era, it required less finagling to fit into the setting and served as a great backbone upon which the Fantasy fittings can be affixed. As for the game’s music, it’s simple, well-made, and most importantly of all, era-appropriate, which increases immersion tenfold.
Gameplay is a hit or miss, however, as novelty isn't always the best thing when it comes to video game mechanics. The game uses tarot cards to determine whether you succeed in a course of action or not. This isn't applied to everything you do, but it’s enough that if you fail too many times, it could set you on an entirely different course. Each course of action is tied to a stat, the specialization of which is determined at the start of each run, and higher stats mean you're more likely to succeed with that endeavor. The major arcana tarot cards grant you passive skills accessible to all your characters and are much rarer.
Truth be told, the tarot card thing is novel, but it's just a more complex version of a dice roll. I appreciate the uncertainty it brings, but it sometimes feels like an afterthought. I don't see what it can accomplish that a normal dice roll or random outcome can't, apart from being thematic. That brings us to the main point of this review, which describes Sovereign Syndicate in the most authentic way.
This game is an acquired taste. It's a tin of caviar in a sea of cheese puffs; a brilliant opus, for sure, but one made for a very specific audience that didn't have many members in the first place. Disco Elysium, the game most associated with Sovereign Syndicate, was much the same. Though critics and fans lauded it as a narrative masterpiece, its odd visuals and focus on the story didn't make it a standout game, even for its genre. Sovereign Syndicate has plenty of things going for it, some of which arguably trump Disco Elysium, but not everyone will be able to appreciate it. I don't think this should lower its score as I do appreciate what it's trying to do; this is more of a disclaimer to the uninitiated.
At the end of the day, an unappreciated masterpiece is a masterpiece nonetheless. I don't think Sovereign Syndicate is quite a masterpiece just yet, but it's fresh out of the tin and has a more digestible fantasy theme. Who knows, maybe a clever boffin or two will whip up a playthrough that'll get the word out on this fantastic game.
Pros of Sovereign Syndicate
| Things Sovereign Syndicate Got Right |
|---|
|
Gold-Standard Character Writing Expertly Executed World-Building Your Decisions Matter, Even the Ones you Don't Expect |
Gold-Standard Character Writing
Think of the most compelling character writing you've ever read. Look back at what made those characters special to you, why their plights and fancies seem natural, and how skillfully they were woven into that story. Each of us might have a different character in mind, but what they all have in common is that they moved us. This is what Sovereign Syndicate has in brass spades. The developers were ambitious in their goal of presenting the Victorian-era steampunk world of Sovereign Syndicate through the eyes of three separate protagonists, doubly so in their promise of intertwining said POVs into one seamless story. I'm happy to report that not only did they deliver on that promise, but they did so in such a way that even the random NPCs you encounter are just as, if not more, compelling.
Character writing is a delicate art that one cannot take lightly. Although this is a video game first and a novel second, I think the team's mastery in writing shone through and made this game what it is now. I have read better stories for sure, but these are among the memorable ones I won't forget any time soon.
Expertly Executed World-Building
While character writing is one thing and world-building is another, Crimson Herring Studios really knocked it out of the ballpark a second time with their presentation of Sovereign Syndicate's unique setting. If you want to understand just how impressive and unique this setting is, I have three words for you: Victorian Steampunk Fantasy. Separately, those three settings are well-defined and well-explored, but together? You'd probably have an easier time making a Dungeons and Dragons character from scratch than mixing these three into a believable universe, not that CH Studios failed in that regard.
Admittedly, a lot of this world-building can go by the wayside if CRPGs aren't your usual ken. Things happen in the background, and a lot of dialogue options are left and never returned to, at least mechanically. You have to remember things in this game, which is a bigger ask from most gamers than one would expect. In any case, should you be the kind to dig deeper into the worlds you're thrown in, then Sovereign Syndicate has an entire rabbit hole for you to get lost in.
Your Decisions Matter, Even the Ones you Don't Expect
When a game presents you with a choice, you'd be forgiven if you thought it meant something. That isn't always the case, though, when games like Mass Effect 3, Fallout 4, and most egregiously of all, a few entries from Telltale Games exist. But in Sovereign Syndicate, your choices do matter, even the ones you didn't think were consequential. Did you pick up a new costume? Great, you can disguise yourself through the next scene with no problem. Did you give this boy a 3 pence earlier? Nice, now he's here to save you from a sticky situation because of your prior kindness. This isn't particularly unique, but the butterfly effect can get way more complicated than that.
Consider your mood today. Ideally, you'd do things regardless of your mood if it made sense to do them like reporting to work. This isn't the case in Sovereign Syndicate, where certain choices are barred from selection if you aren't in the mood to do so. Changing your mood and outlook is a matter of choosing dialogue choices, none of which indicate in which way it would sway your feelings, at least not explicitly. Pictured above is one of my favorite parts of the game where, depending on your mood, you can opt to just die where you sit. You will choose often in this game, but you won't always choose well.
Cons of Sovereign Syndicate
| Things That Sovereign Syndicate Can Improve |
|---|
|
This Game is an Acquired Taste Slow Progression Consequences are Hard to Predict |
This Game is an Acquired Taste
I like this game very much for its amazing storytelling, great world-building, and genuine attention to the choices you make. That being said, it caters to my tastes, specifically as a fantasy writer. Not everyone's going to like this game, and it's clear to see why when you dig deeper. The game puts the story first and the gameplay second. They're intertwined, sure, but the story always takes precedence. This can put off people who really don't care about the stories in games and would rather just shoot, smash, or kill anyone who opposes them, not that there's anything wrong with that.
The game also uses a pseudo-dice roll with tarot cards to simulate randomness. For visual novel purists who just want to do what the dialogue option said without rolling the dice, this might also pose an issue. Lastly, the game does not shy away from sensitive topics like prostitution, murder, and marginalization, all of which might scare away potential players. This isn't a bad thing per se, but it's clear that this game isn't for everyone.
Extremely Slow Progression
To be fair, you can progress in this game as quickly as your character can walk, but to get through this game in any meaningful way, one must read its story attentively, investigate every nook and cranny of the map, and talk to every NPC for every piece of info. This might be a sore spot for even the most patient reader, but the monotony is broken up well by the tarot card skill checks. That being said, it'll be more of the same right after.
This downside is inherent to the genre of story-driven games because, simply put, reading takes time. And guess what? Reading with comprehension takes even more time. You'll have to do that as you go because the game won't hold your hand if you forget a few details. If you're impatient, you should pass on this game because it will take a lot of your sweet time.
Consequences are Hard to Predict
There's a reason why the Butterfly Effect isn't spoken of fondly, and this is one of them. While seeing a seemingly inconsequential choice make the difference between success and failure is cool, this goes both ways. For example, some innocuous offhand choice from three NPCs done a while ago could be why you can't progress this side quest anymore. Or maybe you can't find the killer because you didn't ask the right guy or you didn't have the right items on you when you did.
Sometimes, the game just punishes you for making what seemed to be an obvious solution to a problem. This has happened to me twice: once when giving a bystander some food that he didn't end up liking, and another time when a dog bit me after I offered it food despite the dialogue indicating that it wanted the food. It isn't frustrating to the point of unplayability, but there's only so much you can be held accountable for. That could be the point of the whole thing, to drive it home that you can't control everything, but I'd argue that that just makes for poor gameplay.
Is Sovereign Syndicate Worth It?
If You're Up for a Good Read, Most Definitely
Sovereign Syndicate has a modest price of $17.99 and offers hours of great storytelling in return. This game is definitely worth its cost, although I'd be a more discerning consumer before I purchase this game. It doesn't advertise itself falsely and delivers on all its promises well. I only say so because the game is an acquired taste, and for a price tag above $10, this might lead to some people feeling robbed if the game isn't as action-packed as they expected.
If you do know what you're getting into, then what are you waiting for? Get Sovereign Syndicate and treat yourself to a grand old time.
| Platform | Price |
|---|---|
 Steam |
$17.99 |
Sovereign Syndicate Overview & Premise
Sovereign Syndicate follows the stories of Atticus Daley, Otto the Automaton, and Clara Reed as they navigate the Victorian-era Steampunk Fantasy streets of Great Britain. Each of our protagonists has their own backstories, specialties, and aspirations, all of which come to a head when their separate paths converge. Your choices will determine your fate, as will the cards that you draw. Will you see your story to its end, or will this be your final hand?
Sovereign Syndicate FAQ
What Languages Will Be Available for Sovereign Syndicate on Release?
Sovereign Syndicate will be available in the English language upon release. According to the game's publisher, additional localization efforts will be added if the game sells well enough to fund it.
Why Doesn't Sovereign Syndicate Have a Voice Over?
Sovereign Syndicate does not have a voice-over or any voice acting to speak of. According to the game's publisher, this was a deliberate choice, but they'd be willing to add a voice-over should the game sell well enough for a definitive edition.
Sovereign Syndicate Product Information
 |
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| Title | SOVEREIGN SYNDICATE |
|---|---|
| Release Date | January 15, 2024 |
| Developer | Crimson Herring Studios |
| Publisher | Crimson Herring Studios |
| Supported Platforms | PC |
| Genre | RPG, Visual Novel |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | M 17+ (Mature 17+) |
| Official Website | N/A |
