For some reason I never really heard much about this game (I think I know more about games from the 80's than the 90's), and so I was wondering what all the hoopla about it was.

When I looked at the screenshots, I didn't really see anything that caught my eye, to justify all the excitement (not that screenshots from old games usually do), so then I watched a YouTube video of some gameplay,, and I can start to see why the game is so popular. It does look like a really good game (I'm sure the dev is glad to have my approval).

Anyway, before I decide on whether or not to buy this game, I do have a couple of questions, that I'm hoping someone can answer.

First of all, how difficult is the game? I find that the older I get, the less difficult I want my games to be. Unlike my earlier years when I played games for the challenge of beating them, now I just want to enjoy myself without getting stressed about a game being too hard. Is this a really hard game, or is it relatively easy to complete each mission?

Secondly, how much freedom do you have to explore? Is it pretty linear, or can you complete each mission the way you want to?

Finally, is there a time limit on each mission? Do you have the freedom to take your time and explore, or do you need to try and finish each mission in a given time (I HATE timed missions in games).

I appreciate any help / feedback about this.

How difficult is the game? Well, I'm no great gamer and when I played it I managed to get to the last mission. Can't remember whether the game has difficulty settings or not, or if it did what difficulty I played on. My only regret is that I wasn't able to finish that last level and as since then I've changed my machine I don't believe I have my save file any more, so I'd have to start from scratch again. But then that isn't a completely bad thing as the game is one of the all-time classics.

There is an open ended-ness to the game. You can choose what to upgrade, which countries to go to, that kind of thing, but the missions themselves are objective driven. I don't remember there being time limits, or possible only a small number of missions that had them. A lot of the time I was able to spend quite a while amassing a huge army of followers through my use of the persuadertron.

The game actually gets easier the further you get into it if you play reasonably well and research wisely and capture a few more agents along the way instead of just killing them. So as long as you make use of the options available to you rather than doing the bare minimum required then I'd say it's not too difficult.

It's the American Revolt expansion you've got to watch out for. Very, very difficult, that one.

1. Syndicate is not very difficult.
There is a strategy element I suppose where you need to find a proper balance between region taxes and money you eager to invest in research (more cash means less time to progress).
I remember when I raised very high tax rate for one region, it revolts against my corporation and I have to complete the very same mission again like nothing changed.

2. You have the option to choose your next mission on global map.
However some missions will require you to progress with your technology tree (decent weapons, mods, etc.).
And you will have to conquer all regions completely to finish the game.

3. There is no time limit.
Though you have escort missions where you need to act timely or else your "protege" will be terminated.

From my point of view the game was great for its time!

I will buy the game just because it was made by Bullfrog (still can't believe EA closed the company before Dungeon Keeper 3 completion)

Does the Version which is offered on GOG include the AddOn American Revolt?

No, sorry.

Bummer, only wishlisted then. :(

I remember this game when me and my older brother played this game for a long time ago. I was sitting close by my brother looking as he tried to make it. The game was not that hard if you just did read what to do and tried once or twice. So I just hope that old memorys will come back. But I remember the game did look a bit diffrently. But maybe there was some other games to this to, I don´t remember but I think this will be some nice game play to be made here.