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PS5's List of Non-Backward Compatible Games makes Syndicate stand out as one of the only major releases being riddled with issues.
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For other games that have been integrated into PlayStation 5, many developers have properly updated them to ensure they run smoothly. This issue was additionally occurring on the PlayStation 4 Pro for a time but was patched over quickly. The backward compatibility of Assassin's Creed Syndicate is questionable, and even though most of the game may run fine, the flickering greatly hinders its gameplay and a player's sense of immersion. Players are begging Ubisoft to patch this flickering issue over, despite the fact that it doesn't seem likely to happen. Despite it having some of the lowest sales at launch in Assassin's Creed history, Syndicate is considered one of the best. It is the most modern Assassin's Creed before the RPG trilogy and the last in the classic format. Assassin's Creed Syndicate's old formula is proof that the series did not need to change to the way it is today. The intensity of the flickering problem in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate can be seen in the video above, and it is very clear to see why the game could be labeled as unplayable on PlayStation 5. There doesn't seem to be much hope on the horizon, and the thread has continued to be updated by players experiencing issues without any talk of a resolution. This has led some players to believe that Ubisoft does not want to address the issue because of its past problems. Support staff in this support thread for Assassin’s Creed Syndicate state "Unfortunately, it may not be something that can be resolved, as this is an older title that was not intended to be played on this platform." Ubisoft has previously expressed dissatisfaction with Syndicate before, blaming Assassin's Creed Unity's low sales.
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Related: Rainbow Six Extraction Put Ubisoft's Problem On Display The flickering feels as though it could even potentially be seizure-inducing at certain points and in certain lighting. Ubisoft has acknowledged the issue since August 2021 within the support forums, but nothing has been done so far other than forum statements. The same issue is not present on Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S consoles. The PlayStation 5 offers backward compatibility, which means players can use their old PlayStation 4 disc on the new system typically without issue. When doing this on PlayStation 5 and loading up Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, a message appears stating to players that says, "You may experience unexpected gaming behavior when playing this PS4 title on your PS5", preparing them for problems.
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