Watch Dogs
Producer: Ubisoft
Release Date: May 27, 2014
Platform: Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, PC
Rating: Mature
Genre: Action-Adventure
Hacking the Hype Machine
Written by Josh Schilling
It seems at times that the games we enjoy get larger and larger with each passing release. Larger in scope, larger in craft, and, most certainly, larger in hype. Most games today could easily handle a 100 hour play-through when all of the side quests, collectibles, and multiplayer aspects are considered, and it offers up the conundrum of how much is too much. With all of the quantity of content, it is a rare bird that connects with the most important facet of quality, and these games seem to throw a bunch of stuff at you in the hopes that a player will find at least a little bit of the plethora of content to be absolutely outstanding. Watch Dogs attempts this blitzkrieg approach, by taking a well-known, Rockstar-ian, open-world foundation and sprucing it up in new and exciting ways. Mix that with the heightened capabilities of the next-gen consoles, and the high expectations for this game that were started back in 2012 could actually be realized. Or at least they could in one of the mini-games, right?
Watch Dogs takes place in an alternate version of Chicago in which the city is linked together with a computerized system called ctOS, which keeps on eye on the citizenry by linking cameras, personal devices and all other means of electronica. Enter the main character Aiden Pearce, the typical coolly named Caucasian video game protagonist who is an expert hacker that makes the most of his technical skills. He is able to tap into ctOS in order to manipulate the city in a variety of truly interesting ways. Since he operates beneath the law and is often pursued by a variety of foes, he can change traffic lights, raise bridges, or cause a multitude of other distractions to evade and escape. In addition, he uses his handy dandy smartphone to assist him in his many infiltrations, and the player can opt for a stealthy, hacking method of getting the job done rather than going in guns blazing, but of course you can do that too if that is your choice.
This game offers an interesting choice in multiplayer as well. Along with some seen-it-before free roam antics and auto races, you can hack in another player’s game, or be hacked into by a random stranger. You must discover the infiltrator by the identification mode on your phone and then halt his escape, or if you are the invader, you must hide in plain sight as your opponent frantically searches for you. This leads to some intense moments as you avoid then escape, and brings the overall flavor of this game to the forefront of the multiplayer experience.
Along with the decently told main story, there are a ton of other things to do around the open world of this brilliantly rendered city. Tons of side quests, the various multiplayer modes, mini-games, collectibles, and just general farting around the town can take up a great deal of game time. This can be a little distracting when you realize that the main character is on a revenge quest and can’t stop the digital drug-like trip that have you bouncing on psychedelic flowers or destroying the city as a giant mechanical spider.
There is some serious quality in this game. Just driving around the city that seems so very alive is impressive in itself. Add to that the unique hacking aspects and you have a game that does set itself apart from previous open world games, but not far enough to completely take away the feel that you’re playing a technologically advanced GTA V. I did have a lot of fun in this world, however, even though it tried hard to make me stray from the ultimate goal of finishing the story. For any player that loves to explore every nook and cranny of a game, you will have a long way to go if you want to call this game completed.