There's no denying the importance of the hood in Assassin's Creed. For years we've been hurtling across rooftops with a character who doesn't need to worry about the wind giving them earache. However, Assassin's Creed Syndicate takes away that option and if you aren't sneaking around in stealth mode then Evie and Jacob are hood-free with Mr Frye donning a dapper top hat. Some fans, quite understandably, don't like it, with a discussion on Reddit asking Ubi Quebec to add a toggle.
There's even a change.org petition asking for the update. "It is a symbol that many have come to love and would hate to see restricted or taken away, however realistic it's restriction may be given the game's current time period," says the petition which is sitting at over 500 supporters. "Many support the realism factor of wearing the top hat in Syndicate's Victorian period, and allowing a toggle option would satisfy both parties who want realism and to wear the iconic Assassin hood without having to sacrifice normal walking movements by a forced crouch in Stealth Mode."
Assassin's Creed actually has a history of what I'm now going to call hood-gate. Once you completed Assassin's Creed 3's story, Connor was left hoodless and Ubisoft patched it to return the headgear for free roaming across the Frontier. Black Flag also saw you only popping up your hood when heading into stealth situations or fast travelling for that iconic broody balancing act on the top of a viewpoint.
I'm happy with the stealth up and down option in Syndicate as it plays a helpful role as you are exploring London. It's more in keeping with the modern setting for one. Jump into stealth mode as Evie when you're wandering down the street and chances are an NPC will worriedly ask if you're about to pounce. Plenty of fans too are happy with the change as it clearly separates high and low profile modes.
When asked about the matter on Twitter, creative director Marc-Alexis Cote directed fans to the two free new outfits coming for Evie and Jacob. That Jacob outfit is inspired by Frankenstein's monster so perhaps a top hat doesn't suit that particular combo of rags and means a hood is the only option. This is arriving for Mr Frye on November 17th and Evie will be getting her electric togs a little sooner on November 3rd. Looks like we'll have to wait and see if things are good in the hood.
@OfficialAidenP @Sean_MO_ You should check this then: https://t.co/6h2mClQ1nNOctober 24, 2015
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