Assassin's Creed Syndicate's New Rope Launcher Adds a Batman Twist to Your Arsenal

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate will introduce an important new tool to the assassin arsenal: the rope launcher, a string dart that works similar to Batman's grapple hook in the Arkham games.

On first glance, the rope launcher--worn by assassin Jacob Frye--doesn’t seem like much. It’s attached to the assassin gauntlet on his left forearm, resting on the outside of his arm while the hidden blade is nestled on the underside. The rope launcher can be used not only in combat but to scale buildings and traverse the city, making it one of the most versatile weapons in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.

Since the streets of Victorian London are much wider than what players are used to--the cramped alleyways of previous franchise locations didn’t offer much room to brawl or make quick escapes--the rope launcher becomes integral in navigation. Buildings in London are also much taller than what we’ve previously dealt with, making it more difficult to maintain fluidity when parkouring through town assassin-style. Players can shoot the rope launcher to the tops of buildings, then use the dangling rope to quickly climb up the side. It’s a quick process, allowing Jacob to get to the rooftops in no time. The launcher also doesn't need to be manually retrieved; it's ready when you are, always.

The rope launcher can also be used to cross London’s wider streets. From the rooftops, players can shoot and connect the tool to an opposite building, allowing them to climb across or use the rope like a zipline, depending on the incline. There is no limit to where the rope launcher can attach, either. Any surface you see on the buildings in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate will accept its hold.

In combat, the rope launcher makes it easier to whisk you away from enemies and back into stealth mode up on rooftops. Ziplining around London’s high rises is also an excellent way to stay out of anyone’s sight while on missions. And while moving along their makeshift tightrope, players can use any of London’s airspace to set up an aerial assassination, making it much easier to take out tricky-to-reach targets in crowds.

For more details on Assassin's Creed Syndicate, here's everything we know about the title.

Take a closer look at Assassin's Creed Syndicate in the screenshot gallery below.