Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Platform: PS3
Most open world games features exploration and combat. For every open world games, it offers players its own unique experience that will make us remember every aspect of living in that world. In the case of Watch_Dogs, it tries to be innovative by adding one more way to gameplay, hacking. The city is your weapon as everything is connected and can be hack via the smartphone. Living in the world of technologies where everything is connected, make Watchdogs a good game to explore in. The theme on cyber security looks fresh and the joy of excitement feels as soon as you hold the controller. You play as Aiden Pearce, a rogue hacker turns vigilante after a job gone wrong causing the death of his niece. Driven by vengeance, he swore to avenge his niece and find the one responsible for her death.
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| CtOS controls all activities in Chicago. Think you're safe? Think again |
Players will explore the city of Chicago, large city control by a central operating system also known as CTOS. Everything is connected in the city including traffic lights and bridges which you can exploit to your advantage. The smartphone is your tool and weapon as you can hack into the city's system and put it to good use. The new hacking mechanic is very interesting as it provides you with a new approach to combat. For every main mission you encounter, players are free to exploit whatever means to tackle the objective. Of course the best part for doing so is via the CCTV. Jumping from camera-to-camera or in other words 'railing the camera' makes player plan their approach towards objective in different style rather than direct approach. The style of play in Watchdogs makes it so unique as it introduce players as how to complete the mission without even engaging the enemy.
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| Railing the camera is good way to approach combat without being detected |
The driving in Watchdogs is a bit arcadey and takes time to get used too. Players can also hack while driving and it is the only means players can do. It is a bit frustating when you cannot shoot your enemies and most of the time players tend to avoid driving and will find it hard when doing the main mission that requires to drive in order to escape your enemy or chasing down the target.
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| Escaping mission can be quite lengthy. You have to act fast and smart |
The online multiplayer are one of the best features in Watchdogs. When roaming the city, a player can be hack by another player. It is a good way to deviate the player from the main mission and it is a race against time as players trying to identify the hacker. There are also online racing which players can compete between 2 to 4 players race and also online tailing as the player required to tail another player without them noticing. There is also digital trip where players are transported to the digital world which comprises of 4 mini games; i) Alone, ii) Madness, iii) Epic Spider Tank and iv) Psychedelic that player can play when becoming bored for the main mission. The most enjoyable is the Epic Spider Tank where player control a spider robot and cause destruction and mayhem to the city.
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| Spider Tank. Tell me how is that not awesome?? |
The main story in Watchdogs is lacking in plot and uninteresting. The characters are forgettable and seems lack of persona. The main protagonists, Aiden Pearce is shallow and weak as his every action sometimes doesn't justify his means. The motivation of revenge for Aiden, doesn't quite feel to the players. It is hard to get that motivation as you are not sure what makes Aiden tick. The personality of Aiden is confusing and not presented very well.
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| Aiden looks bad ass but lacks character |
Overall, Watch_Dogs tries to put something new to the table of open world genre as it introduces the hacking style of combat blending with the usual combat that the players used too. It is a good way but not so innovative as everyone imagine could happen in the world. Instead of giving players the feel and lively city, it feels too remote and shallow. The players are force into the world of Chicago and not enjoying it. The world is a bit overshadow by another open world titles like Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and it tries really hard to become unique to the other. Improvement is needed for the game as it has the potential of being able to compete with many other open world title. Maybe not the best open world game nor the worst.
The Verdict
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7
Average
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