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SWAT4 - The Stetchkov Syndicate Mini Review
Jon Wilcox
10/03/2006
Armed and ready to deal with almost any situation, the SWAT return for another shift...
Expanding upon last year's SWAT4, VU Games newly released SWAT4: The Stetchkov Syndicate once again places gamers at the heart of one of the United States' most famous policing units. Developing on the original SWAT4 with additional gadgets, multiplayer features, and perhaps more interestingly, a cohesive narrative rather than standalone missions, The Stetchkov Syndicate looks set to offer fans a worthy expansion pack experience.
This time around the team of top cops uncover a story arc across seven missions that build up to a final confrontation with the criminal Stetchkov Syndicate. Beginning with what appears to be a routine job, in other words taking down armed criminals and freeing hostages, the group slowly follows the crumb trail to their new nemeses. The introduction of a narrative to the game really creates a more rounded experience, and allows for a level of immersion greater than that of the original SWAT4 where the standalone missions felt a bit fractured.
Strategy remains an important element in the Stetchkov Syndicate, and careful squad management is essential in order to complete a mission to a successful degree. Splitting the team into Red and Blue, the gameplay carries over from SWAT 4 as you'd expect, although Irrational have added a couple of features to the Stetchkov Syndicate that refine and improve upon the original. A slightly annoying element missing from SWAT 4 was a delayed order tactic, which would allow for synchronised entry into a multi-entrance rooms. Whilst players could attempt such a strategy, a specific order would streamline the process, making it far more user-friendly. Thankfully, Irrational have done just that, making that section of gameplay that little bit smoother, and certainly helps against an AI that seems to be far more resilient to arrest than before.
In addition to the already established gadgets from SWAT 4, Stetchkov also includes a couple of new technologies that develop the gameplay in their own ways. First and foremost is the ability for players to use glow sticks. On the face of it such an ability may not make much sense, but since it allows gamers to easily mark the rooms that have already been cleared is a significant improvement and at least means an end to the 'Have I been here?' issues of SWAT 4. Night-Vision goggles again offer obvious advantages to the SWAT of Stetchkov Syndicate, especially when it comes to illuminating those gloomy settings were armed perps lurk in the shadows. Like the glow sticks, they're a worthy addition to the game. In true expansion pack fashion, Stetchkov Syndicate also features new weapons for both sides including a new sub-machine gun for the SWAT, and a stungun that offers a greater range over the original's Taser. These are only there to really pad out was already a decent range of weapons at the player's disposal, but aren't to be sniffed at.
Visually the Stetchkov Syndicate is similar in both looks and atmosphere to the original SWAT 4, just as you'd expect. It retains a depressive ambience that reflects the criminal underworld, and also raises the tension meter since you can never be too sure what's going to be around the next darkened corner. The developers hit the nail on the head with the atmosphere created in the original, and thankfully the touch hasn't left them in its expansion pack, with the first mission at an eerie amusement arcade setting the scene for the rest of the game.
Of course being an expansion pack there's not a drastic departure from the original SWAT4, which means that any fan of the title is sure to enjoy The Stetchov Syndicate. Besides the new single-player campaign, the title also tweaks and evolves the multiplayer side of the game too, with a range of extras and a new gametype that looks set to develop the online experience. Additions such as VoIP capabilities for improved communication and the Unique Leader setting, which designates one team member allowing them to take control of a multiplayer group, really improve the online experience and the sense of immersion for players and are worthy improvements. The new gametype, called Smash 'n' Grab, where one team tries to escape with a suitcase and the other team tries to stop them, creates a tense siege-like mentality if you're on the defending team, meaning that strategies such as forming perimeters are utilised in the hope of stopping opposition forces who aim to escape with the case. More so than the more traditional gametypes (despite its obvious links with Capture the Flag) Smash 'n' Grab really feels more like how SWAT 4 multiplayer should be done, and certainly adds a more original air in what is traditionally a stagnant area of gameplay.
SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate features enough new changes to the original title to make it an instant buy for fans of all things SWAT. It may seem like a small thing but bringing an over-arcing storyline really knits the action together quite nicely, although it would have been even better if there were more than just the seven missions. Additional gadgetry such as the glow sticks, and the ability to delay commands, merely smooth some of the issues with SWAT4 to great effect, making it a far more rounded experience than last year's title.
