Status:
Complete and Play Tested
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Watch Dogs (PS4) Review
Released in 2014, Watch Dogs was Ubisoft's highly anticipated open-world action-adventure game, boasting an innovative mechanic where players can hack into the city's infrastructure with a smartphone. Set in a near-future Chicago, players assume the role of Aiden Pearce, a hacker and vigilante on a quest for revenge. While Watch Dogs brought a fresh concept to the table, it was also met with mixed reactions. The game promised a tech-driven revolution, but its execution left a lot to be desired in some areas.
Gameplay & Mechanics
Watch Dogs offers a blend of action, stealth, and hacking, which is the games central mechanic:
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Hacking is key to the experience. You can manipulate traffic lights, cameras, banks, and even citizens personal data, using your smartphone as a tool to control the environment around you. This creates opportunities for both tactical combat and problem-solving.
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The open-world design is fairly detailed. Chicago is well-rendered with traffic, pedestrians, and a bustling environment to explore. The variety of side activities, like hacking locations, collecting data, and racing, gives players a lot to do.
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Combat is mostly third-person shooting, with decent cover mechanics and stealth elements. You can choose between direct confrontation or using your hacking tools to take a stealthier approach.
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Driving mechanics are average, providing basic functionality to navigate the world, but the physics can feel a bit clunky at times.
While these mechanics show promise, the game often falls into repetition with mission design. Many of the core activitieslike driving from one place to another or hacking a specific pointbecome formulaic over time.
Story & Character Development
The story revolves around Aiden Pearce, who seeks vengeance after a hack that led to the death of his niece. As he delves into the citys criminal underground, he uncovers a conspiracy involving powerful figures who use technology for their own gains.
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Aiden Pearce is a brooding, one-dimensional protagonist who lacks significant character depth. His motivations and personality feel somewhat shallow, making it hard to emotionally connect with him.
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The supporting cast doesnt fare much better. Characters like Clara, Jordi, and T-Bone add some personality, but they are often used as plot devices rather than fully fleshed-out individuals.
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The narrative itself is standard fare for a revenge-driven story but doesnt add anything particularly fresh or engaging. The pacing slows down significantly in the middle of the game, leaving the story feeling stretched thin.
Modes & Features
Watch Dogs has a solid set of modes and features for both single-player and multiplayer:
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Campaign Mode: The main campaign is the story of Aidens quest for vengeance, which includes hacking missions, combat, and chases. While the story can feel drawn out, the missions offer varied activities.
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Multiplayer:
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Online Hacking: Players can invade other players games and attempt to hack into their systems without being detected. This adds an interesting dynamic to the experience, though it can sometimes feel disconnected from the main narrative.
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Co-op missions: Cooperative gameplay allows you to team up with other players to complete side missions, offering a fun alternative to the solo experience.
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Tailing mode: This mode requires you to track another player without them noticing, creating an intense and fun cat-and-mouse experience.
While these modes add replayability, they dont always feel connected to the main story and can feel somewhat disconnected from the game's overall narrative flow.
Sound & Music
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The soundtrack is a blend of atmospheric music and electronic beats, fitting the games urban setting. While not particularly memorable, it provides a fitting backdrop for the games action.
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Voice acting is serviceable, but Aidens voice performance can feel flat at times, making it difficult to empathize with him. The supporting characters, while more dynamic, dont leave much of an impact.
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Sound effects are solid, with gunshots, car crashes, and other environmental sounds helping to immerse you in the world. However, some repetitive sound effects, such as the radio chatter and civilian voices, can feel a bit tiresome.
Final Verdict: 7/10
Watch Dogs (PS4) introduces a fresh concept to the open-world genre with its hacking mechanics, but its execution is somewhat uneven. The story is standard and doesn't offer much in terms of emotional engagement, while Aiden Pearces character is difficult to connect with. The gameplay offers a unique experience, but the repetitive nature of missions and lack of character depth can make it feel stale. On the technical side, the visuals are impressive for the time, though the world can feel lifeless at times.
Despite its flaws, Watch Dogs still offers an enjoyable open-world experience, especially for those looking for something different from the typical action-adventure game. If you enjoy exploring a tech-driven world and engaging in strategic gameplay, its worth a look.
Pros:
Innovative hacking mechanics
Solid open-world design with a bustling city to explore
Fun multiplayer modes, especially the online hacking feature
Good variety of side activities and missions
Cons:
Aiden Pearce is a one-dimensional and hard-to-connect-with protagonist
Story and mission design become repetitive
Character development is weak across the board
Visuals can sometimes feel empty and dated in some areas
Recommendation:
If youre into open-world games and like the idea of hacking your way through a modern city, Watch Dogs is worth experiencing. Just keep your expectations in check regarding the story and character development. Its a solid game with innovative mechanics, but its narrative shortcomings prevent it from being truly outstanding.
