"Computer Gaming World" criticized the lack of multiplayer, random research, poor AI, and repetitive missions. The magazine concluded that ""Syndicate" is a polished and significant effort" that would appeal to fans of other Bullfrog games but "doesn't quite offer the staying power of its predecessors". "COMPUTE!" noted, "This isn't a game to use as a morality lesson for the kids – it's bloody, it requires you to be ruthless, and some people may take issue with the use of drugs to control your agents. But it's a ball to play."