# Cardinal Syn

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1998 video game

1998 video game

Cardinal Syn European box art Developer Kronos Digital Entertainment Publishers EU: Sony Computer Entertainment NA: 989 Studios Producers Andy Koo Sany Abe-Tsukii Designer John Paik Programmer Mohammad Asaduzzaman Artist Albert Co Writers Stanley Liu Patricia Winters Composer Brian Min Platform PlayStation Release PAL: June 26, 1998[2][3] NA: August 25, 1998[1] Genre Fighting Modes Single-player, multiplayer

***Cardinal Syn*** is a 1998 [fighting](/source/Fighting_game) [video game](/source/Video_game) developed by [Kronos Digital Entertainment](/source/Kronos_Digital_Entertainment) and published by [Sony Computer Entertainment](/source/Sony_Computer_Entertainment) for the [PlayStation](/source/PlayStation_(console)). [989 Studios](/source/989_Studios) released it in North America.[4] It received mixed reviews.

## Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot

*Cardinal Syn* is 3D [fighting game](/source/Fighting_game) with free roaming features that allow the player to move around a small interactive stage during the fight,[5] similar to *[Ehrgeiz](/source/Ehrgeiz)* and *[Bushido Blade](/source/Bushido_Blade_(video_game))*. Moving away from the sci-fi theme in *[Criticom](/source/Criticom)*, *Cardinal Syn* takes place in a dark [medieval](/source/Medieval) and bloody world.[6] The combatants too fit within this dark fantasy design and are somewhat similar to *[Dungeons & Dragons](/source/Dungeons_%26_Dragons)*, and a great number of them non-human, each armed with melee weapons fitting for the style. The title character gives access to combos, juggles, stage hazards, [finishing moves](/source/Fatality_(Mortal_Kombat)), projectiles and battlefield power-ups.

Small crates found in each stage can be broken open to acquire items.[7]

## Plot

Warfare had engulfed the Clans of the Bloodlands for many generations, each having a great hatred for the other. But one day a mysterious being put a stop to the carnage, summoning all the clans together and read from his Book of Knowledge which spoke of the harmony they could achieve by uniting in peace. For many years, the Clans put aside their weapons and enjoyed peace under the guidance of the stranger they had named the "Wanderer". Then when the land seemed to be paling and dying, the stranger divided the Book into scrolls and gave one to each clan before he vanished before their very eyes. It took no time at all before the Clans were at each other's throats, vying for control of all the scrolls in the Book's entirety and war again fiercely reclaimed the Bloodlands.

In the middle of a particularly brutal battle, a mysterious and powerful sorceress known as Syn appeared brandishing the icon of the Wanderer that he had used as a symbol of clan unity. She coerced the clan leaders to hand their scrolls over to her where she turned them into three inscribed swords which held the knowledge of the Book. She then declared a tournament. Each clan would send its greatest warrior to engage in battles to the death. The survivor and winner of the tournament would be declared ruler of their Clan and given the entire Bloodlands to command, as well as gain access to the secrets of the swords. Yet that first tournament saw no winner, as Syn herself secretly killed the final warrior. Centuries passed and the wars raged on, but now a new tournament is about to be held and the Clan leaders are sending their very best to battle for the rite to power.

## Characters

*Cardinal Syn* has eight playable fighting characters, each with their own goal for retrieving the Book of Knowledge:[6]

- Mongoro, a cannibalistic cyclops

- Plague, an undead corpse

- Nephra, an Egyptian princess

- Vanguard, a knight

- Heckler, an insane jester

- McKrieg, a dwarf

- Princess Orion

- Finkster, a thief

## Development

The game was showcased at [E3 1997](/source/E3_1997).[8]

## Reception

Reception

Aggregate score Aggregator Score GameRankings 57%[9]

Review scores Publication Score AllGame 2/5[10] CNET Gamecenter 4/10[6] Electronic Gaming Monthly 3.125/10[11][a] EP Daily 5/10[12] Game Informer 7/10[13] GameRevolution B−[14] GameSpot 4.8/10[15] Hyper 70%[16] IGN 5.5/10[17] Next Generation 2/5[18] Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine 3/5[19]

The game received "mixed or average" reviews according to the [review aggregation](/source/Review_aggregator) website [GameRankings](/source/GameRankings).[9] *[Next Generation](/source/Next_Generation_(magazine))*'s early review called it "a pretty, if confusing, waste of time and effort".[18] *[GamePro](/source/GamePro)*'s early review said it "isn't the kind of action sedative you need—especially in the middle of a heated match. The *Syn* committed in this game is *syn*-ple: Mediocrity."[20][b]

*[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine](/source/Official_U.S._PlayStation_Magazine)*, with a score of 3 out of 5, praised "beautiful graphics" and a "KILLER end-boss!", but were critical of AI and that it would not be deep for fighting game enthusiasts.[19] *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)* in its review wrote that "*Cardinal Syn* has some nice graphics and sound to set it apart from other games in the genre [..] with its typical weapon-based fighting system that plays like *[Soul Blade](/source/Soul_Blade)* and *[Dynasty Warriors](/source/Dynasty_Warriors_(1997_video_game))*, *Cardinal Syn* just ends up coming off as another 3D fighting game knockoff".[15]

A common theme that many reviewers, including *[Electronic Gaming Monthly](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly)*, had, was that the computer AI is too weak.[11] On a more positive note, *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer),* while acknowledging that the game has flaws in gameplay and controls, praised *Cardinal Syn*'s concept, presentation and gore.[13]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Four critics of *[Electronic Gaming Monthly](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly)* gave the game each a score of 4/10, 5/10, 3.5/10, and 3/10 in an early review.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** *[GamePro](/source/GamePro)* gave the game 4/5 for graphics, two 3.5/5 scores for sound and control, and 3/5 for fun factor in an early review.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["*Cardinal Syn* Finally Arrives"](https://web.archive.org/web/19990128102322/http://www.gameinformer.com/news/aug98/082598d.html). *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)*. August 25, 1998. Archived from [the original](http://www.gameinformer.com/news/aug98/082598d.html) on January 28, 1999. Retrieved May 11, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Key Dates"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/896431722). *Staines and Ashford Leader*. June 11, 1998. p. 3. Retrieved May 11, 2024. June 26th//*Cardinal Syn*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Perfect for a head-to-head"](https://www.newspapers.com/image/1054514840). *[Bolton Evening News](/source/The_Bolton_News)*. June 27, 1998. p. 16. Retrieved May 11, 2024. *Cardinal Syn*//(SCEE / Kronos Digital Entertainment)//For PlayStation//Price: £34.99//Out Now

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Sneak Previews: Cardinal Syn"](https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_103_February_1998). *[GamePro](/source/GamePro)*. No. 113. [IDG](/source/International_Data_Group). February 1998. p. [62](https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_103_February_1998/page/n67/mode/2up). Retrieved September 5, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["NG Alphas: Cardinal Syn"](https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_32). *[Next Generation](/source/Next_Generation_(magazine))*. No. 32. [Imagine Media](/source/Future_US). August 1997. p. [64](https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_32/page/n65).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cng_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cng_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-cng_6-2) D'Aprile, Jason (September 29, 1998). ["Cardinal Syn"](https://web.archive.org/web/20000823210700/http://gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Cardsyn/). *Gamecenter*. [CNET](/source/CNET). Archived from [the original](http://gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Cardsyn/) on August 23, 2000. Retrieved September 5, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Cardinal SYN: This Time, Fighting's Not a SYN"](https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8a/EGM_US_102.pdf) (PDF). *[Electronic Gaming Monthly](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly)*. No. 102. Ziff Davis. January 1998. p. 64. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230703235249/https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8a/EGM_US_102.pdf) (PDF) from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Commit the Cardinal Syn"](https://web.archive.org/web/20001208064000/http://www.scea.com/news/press_example.asp?ReleaseID=9480). *[Sony Computer Entertainment America](/source/Sony_Computer_Entertainment_America)*. June 19, 1997. Archived from [the original](http://www.scea.com/news/press_example.asp?ReleaseID=9480) on December 8, 2000. Retrieved May 20, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GR_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GR_9-1) ["Cardinal Syn for PlayStation"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190501144552/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196869-cardinal-syn/index.html). *[GameRankings](/source/GameRankings)*. CBS Interactive. Archived from [the original](https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196869-cardinal-syn/index.html) on May 1, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Thorpe, Damien. ["Cardinal Syn - Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141115114728/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7835&tab=review). *[AllGame](/source/AllGame)*. [All Media Network](/source/All_Media_Network). Archived from [the original](http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7835&tab=review) on November 15, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EGM_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EGM_11-1) Smith, Shawn; Davison, John; Boyer, Crispin; Williams, Ken "Sushi-X" (July 1998). ["Cardinal Syn"](https://retrocdn.net/images/4/45/EGM_US_108.pdf) (PDF). *Electronic Gaming Monthly*. No. 108. Ziff Davis. p. 138. Retrieved September 5, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Lucas, Victor (October 7, 1998). ["Cardinal Syn"](https://web.archive.org/web/20030705212724/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=227&full=1#mr_toppy). *[The Electric Playground](/source/EP_Daily)*. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from [the original](http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=227&full=1#mr_toppy) on July 5, 2003. Retrieved September 5, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GI_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GI_14-1) McNamara, Andy; Storm, Jon; Reiner, Andrew (June 1998). ["Cardinal Syn"](https://web.archive.org/web/19990914013732/http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=jun98&doc=cardinal). *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)*. No. 62. [FuncoLand](/source/FuncoLand). Archived from [the original](http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=jun98&doc=cardinal) on September 14, 1999. Retrieved November 28, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Zimring, Jason (September 1998). ["Cardinal Syn - Playstation \[sic\] Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040419233215/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/sony/action/cardinal_syn.htm). *[GameRevolution](/source/GameRevolution)*. [CraveOnline](/source/CraveOnline). Archived from [the original](http://www.game-revolution.com/games/sony/action/cardinal_syn.htm) on April 19, 2004. Retrieved November 28, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GSpot_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GSpot_16-1) MacDonald, Ryan (July 8, 1998). ["Cardinal Syn Review"](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cardinal-syn-review/1900-2546946/). *GameSpot*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20050101104713/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/cardinalsyn/review.html) from the original on January 1, 2005. Retrieved September 5, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Toose, Dan (June 1998). ["Cardinal Syn"](https://archive.org/details/hyper-056). *[Hyper](/source/Hyper_(magazine))*. No. 56. [Next Media Pty Ltd](/source/Nextmedia). pp. [48](https://archive.org/details/hyper-056/page/48/mode/2up), [53](https://archive.org/details/hyper-056/page/52/mode/2up). Retrieved November 28, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Harris, Craig (October 23, 1998). ["Cardinal Syn"](https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/10/24/cardinal-syn). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. Ziff Davis. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230819054353/https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/10/24/cardinal-syn) from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NGen_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NGen_19-1) ["Cardinal Syn"](https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_43). *Next Generation*. No. 43. Imagine Media. July 1998. p. [112](https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_43/page/n113/mode/2up). Retrieved November 28, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-OPM_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-OPM_20-1) Mollohan, Gary (June 1998). ["Cardinal Syn"](https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-play-station-magazine-volume-1-issue-09-june-1998). *[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine](/source/Official_U.S._PlayStation_Magazine)*. Vol. 1, no. 9. Ziff Davis. p. 94. Retrieved October 5, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Scary Larry (July 1998). ["Cardinal Syn"](https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_108_July_1998). *GamePro*. No. 118. IDG. p. [66](https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_108_July_1998/page/n65/mode/2up). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20041031072304/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/262.shtml) from the original on October 31, 2004. Retrieved November 28, 2020.

## External links

- [*Cardinal Syn*](https://www.mobygames.com/game//9090/cardinal-syn/) at [MobyGames](/source/MobyGames)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cardinal Syn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_Syn) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_Syn?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.