Watch Dogs

Watch Dogs, a twist in gaming with exciting results... please Ubisoft, can we have some more?

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Watch\_Dogs Complete Edition allows you to experience Chicago as a weapon in your quest for revenge as hacker Aiden Pearce, with access to additional game modes, weapons, outfits, and missions from the Season Pass. The game explores the dangers of urban connectivity, where every device and infrastructure is monitored by the Central Operating System . Fight for justice and control the city's technology to your advantage.

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Play Modes

Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 16,053 reviews

story2,598 positive mentions

optimization523 negative mentions

story
8,090 mentions
32 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story of *Watch Dogs* centers around Aiden Pearce, a vigilante hacker seeking revenge for the death of his niece, which sets off a chain of events involving crime, corruption, and personal loss. While many players appreciate the dark and gritty narrative, some criticize it for being predictable and cliché, with a protagonist that lacks depth. The game features a mix of engaging main missions and repetitive side quests, with the overall experience often described as enjoyable despite its flaws in execution and pacing.
- “This game has a dark, uncompromising, and genuinely gut-wrenching setting and story, with a solid, real, flawed main character, and a tremendous supporting cast.”
- “The story is quite interesting and full of twists.”
- “The story is engaging and entertaining, some good plot twists and character development.”
- “The story is bland, some of the game elements while cool are repetitive, the driving is not streamlined at all and there are several other elements of glitches in gameplay.”
- “The story is your classic revenge plot revolving around integrated systems, individual privacy and hacking; simplified into circuit-based minigames, interactable objects and abilities given by upgradable skills and items.”
- “The story is easily one of my favorites and the side missions though they get repetitive are really fun time killers as well.”
gameplay
3,024 mentions
36 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Watch Dogs" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its innovative hacking mechanics that allow for creative problem-solving and strategic gameplay. However, criticisms often focus on the clunky driving mechanics and repetitive mission structure, which can detract from the overall experience. While the game offers a unique blend of action, stealth, and open-world exploration, some players find the execution lacking compared to other titles in the genre, leading to a somewhat polarizing reception.
- “Set in a fictionalized version of Chicago, the game offers a unique blend of open-world exploration, action-adventure gameplay, and a narrative that resonates with contemporary issues surrounding technology, surveillance, and personal privacy.”
- “The ability to hack into various systems created a dynamic gameplay experience that encouraged creativity and strategic thinking.”
- “Through its engaging gameplay and thought-provoking themes, it has carved a unique space in gaming culture, influencing both players and developers alike.”
- “Almost everything about this game feels subpar—driving, aiming, hacking mechanics, story, NPC interactions, and AI all fall short.”
- “The driving mechanics are clunky and the AI can be pretty dumb at times.”
- “The gameplay is atrocious - the gunplay has no impact at all even with the heavy weapons, driving feels stiff and the camera works against you, the puzzles are brain-dead.”
graphics
2,505 mentions
33 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Watch Dogs" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant downgrade from the impressive visuals showcased during its E3 reveal. While some praise the game's aesthetic, particularly in dynamic weather and lighting conditions, others criticize its optimization issues, especially for AMD graphics card users. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for a 2014 title, but players recommend using mods to enhance the visual experience and address performance problems.
- “The graphics are stunning, even for today's standards, though I have to say the lack of modding capability brings the game down a bit.”
- “The game's depiction of Chicago is stunning, with realistic graphics and a dynamic interesting environment.”
- “For a game released in 2014, Watch Dogs boasts impressive graphics that still hold up well today.”
- “The graphics downgrade was so significant that it felt like a bait-and-switch.”
- “The graphics are washed out and bland, aiming & mouse control in general is fkd, driving is bad even for an ubisoft game, physics system is broken, textures tearing and flickering, npcs bugging out frequently, aiden is about as interesting as wet cardboard, the list goes on...”
- “The graphics were really awful too.”
optimization
1,140 mentions
12 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
46 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Watch Dogs" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from players, particularly regarding its performance on PC. Many users report severe stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes, especially on AMD hardware, while even high-end NVIDIA systems struggle to maintain smooth gameplay. Despite some players finding workarounds or experiencing fewer issues after updates, the consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, making it difficult to recommend without significant patches to address these performance problems.
- “The game runs smoothly on my low-end PC and has decent graphics.”
- “Performance was very stable.. 130 fps at 1440p on ultra.. graphics-wise it was very beautiful.”
- “The graphics are really good and the performance is good.”
- “This game is poorly optimized for PC as the movements, aiming, and other aspects feel clunky.”
- “Even after all these years, the optimization of the game has not been fixed and runs poorly even on next-gen graphics cards.”
- “The game is very poorly optimized for PC, the need to use Ubisoft's Uplay sucks, and if the game crashes, your save games will be ruined.”
stability
438 mentions
6 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly detract from the overall experience. While some users have noted that the game runs well on certain hardware configurations, many others have encountered game-breaking issues, particularly in missions and cutscenes. Overall, the consensus is that the game remains a buggy mess, even years after its release, making it difficult for players to fully enjoy its content.
- “The game is pretty stable and bug-free.”
- “No glitches, great story, and fun gameplay.”
- “Runs great on my rig at 1080p on high settings!”
- “The game is riddled with bugs, errors, and glitches that have gone unpatched for years.”
- “The problem is that the game is good before the first 2 hours of gameplay, but after that it just turns into a buggy mess that is not fun to play at all.”
- “This game is an unfinished, buggy mess..and that's after it was delayed by 6 months.”
music
421 mentions
30 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the dynamic soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere and fits the urban setting. However, criticisms often focus on the limited selection of radio music, which can become repetitive and lacks variety compared to other open-world games. While some players enjoy the ability to unlock additional tracks through hacking, others find the overall music experience underwhelming and not memorable.
- “The soundtrack features a mix of ambient music and radio stations that fit the game's urban setting.”
- “[✔️] 🎵 Immersive soundtrack: the game features a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere, from tense action sequences to quiet, reflective moments.”
- “The soundtrack complements the urban setting perfectly, creating a captivating ambiance.”
- “One of the drawbacks is the limited radio music, which quickly becomes repetitive and tiresome.”
- “The radio soundtrack is really lame and lacking too, so you are better off to have it turned off anyway.”
- “The music selection is bland, but if you hack really hard you can unlock an additional 20 some odd bland tracks.”
humor
251 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as a mix of dark and absurd, with players finding amusement in the quirky interactions and dialogue of NPCs, as well as the chaotic physics and glitches that lead to unexpected comedic moments. Characters like Jordi Chin provide a humorous contrast to the more serious protagonist, Aiden Pearce, while the game's hacking mechanics allow for funny scenarios, such as eavesdropping on ridiculous conversations. Overall, while the game may not aim for consistent humor like some of its competitors, it still offers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments through its unique gameplay and character interactions.
- “Cartoonish crash physics and roads littered with tons of breakable objects make smashing through shortcuts spectacular and hilarious.”
- “There was a hilarious moment where I decided to hack an electronic sign on the highway to see what would happen.”
- “The good bits include various humorous situations you can witness throughout the city, such as a guy getting his stuff thrown on the sidewalk by his enraged girlfriend, that bring life to the city.”
- “Usually it's just very stereotypical and simply not funny.”
- “At least an interesting title, but as tradition with Ubisoft, not worthy of the expectations, and unfunny.”
- “It affects so many people it's not funny.”
atmosphere
149 mentions
52 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, gritty portrayal of a dystopian Chicago, enhanced by impressive graphics, dynamic weather, and an immersive soundtrack. Players appreciate the sense of realism and tension, particularly during night-time exploration and stealth missions, which evoke a cinematic feel reminiscent of thriller films. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to the storytelling and player experience.
- “The atmosphere is insane, heavily recommend.”
- “It brilliantly captures the atmosphere of a slightly alternative 2013-2014 America, showcasing a grim city with diverse and interesting streets, which has its own soul.”
- “The atmosphere of this game is incredible, you truly feel like a vigilante in Chicago.”
- “I'm not a fan of such an atmosphere as in the first part, criminal, like in the movies, even a little noir and paranoid; the game is about surveillance and control.”
- “The overall grim atmosphere throughout this game was completely ruined in the sequel, and I will forever remain bitter about that.”
- “The atmosphere of virtual Chicago is really lacking, and there is not much to do in terms of interactivity with the game world.”
grinding
116 mentions
3 % positive mentions
16 % neutral mentions
81 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that it requires an unrealistic time investment to unlock items or achievements. Side missions and hacking puzzles often contribute to this sense of monotony, leading to frustration and a lack of engagement as players navigate through similar tasks repeatedly. While some enjoy the ancillary missions, the overall sentiment suggests that the grinding can detract significantly from the game's enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “New twist on side missions which unfortunately get tedious if you want to unlock items or achievements (in-game, not Steam).”
- “The main quest is unbelievably poorly-written, and the side quests are tedious and seemingly pointless.”
- “The missions are not fun or challenging, they are just tedious work.”
emotional
115 mentions
85 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its dark and touching storyline that evokes strong feelings, while others criticize the generic protagonist and lack of emotional depth in the narrative. Many found certain moments heart-wrenching and engaging, yet others felt disconnected due to poorly written characters and a repetitive plot. Overall, the game offers an emotional rollercoaster for some, but fails to resonate with others due to its execution and character development.
- “Great gameplay with a dark and emotional storyline; the characters actually had meaning, they all meant something in some sort of way to the story, and that's what made it shine a lot.”
- “Every death made me feel inside, and that says a lot because most games nowadays feel so lifeless that I can't connect to any character, and their deaths don't make me feel anything.”
- “The story line touched my heart in every way possible; it made me feel like I was the character and the character had a purpose.”
- “With a boring story featuring a main character with no personality at all, a D-tier soundtrack, characters that don't act or talk like humans do, terrible 'floating car' style driving, terrible performance, constant graphic pop-in, and much more - this game is one of the most doo-doo open world messes I have played in a very long time.”
- “I bought into the hype and was severely disappointed by a boring story, repetitive gameplay, and a multitude of bugs.”
- “A boring story and protagonist wears on you after hours of repetitive missions.”
replayability
114 mentions
28 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The reviews for replayability in this game are mixed, with some players praising its high replay value due to numerous side missions and engaging multiplayer modes, while others criticize it for lacking meaningful replayability after completing the main story. Many users noted that while the game offers a variety of activities, the overall incentive to replay is diminished once the campaign is finished, leading to a consensus that replayability is limited for some players.
- “This game has really high replay value; there are a lot of things to do, including side missions and online hacking, which can keep you engaged for hours.”
- “The game is very replayable and has many interesting and engaging side missions along with the main storyline.”
- “Despite what people say, Watch Dogs has a very good story, fun content, and is replayable to get one of two endings.”
- “The replay value of this game is minimal; once you beat it, there is no reason to go back.”
- “The story, while not too long, is fun, but once you are done with it, the game has no replayability, which I was hoping for.”
- “Once the campaign is completed, there seems to be a major lack of replay value as the only choices given to players are to either play solely online contracts or to delete their game and start a new one.”
character development
44 mentions
34 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while Aiden Pearce's motivations are clear, his character lacks depth and complexity. Some players appreciated the interactions between characters, which added some narrative richness, but overall, the consensus is that character development is limited and often feels flat, detracting from the overall storytelling experience. Despite this, a few reviews highlighted strong character design and engaging story elements, suggesting that the game has potential but falls short in fully realizing its characters.
- “Aiden Pearce's character design is absolutely perfect; his cold lines give you chills down your spine.”
- “The story is engaging and entertaining, with some good plot twists and character development.”
- “One of the best stories and character developments I have ever played, rivaled by that of The Witcher, Skyrim, and Uncharted.”
- “Character development: while Aiden's motivations are clear, his character development is limited.”
- “The game’s story and character development were not very engaging, but the unique gameplay mechanics and immersive open-world environment made up for it.”
- “As far as character development goes, this game is just trash; Aiden, of whom we know nothing about, with his stupid little revenge plots and 'oh no, the whole world is out to get me' attitude is just stupid.”
monetization
38 mentions
5 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, particularly regarding misleading advertising and a perceived focus on cash grabs by Ubisoft. Many users express disappointment over the disparity between promotional materials and the actual game quality, highlighting issues like broken online modes and a lack of meaningful content. While some players find value in the game despite its flaws, the overarching sentiment is that the monetization strategy prioritizes profit over player experience, leading to a sense of betrayal among consumers.
- “Doesn't have in-app purchases, unlike the later series.”
- “There was no noticeable monetization within the game.”
- “Ubisoft has been misleading customers by advertising this game as having online multiplayer, despite the fact that the online mode has been broken for years.”
- “I was really hoping to find reasons to like this game because conceptually it's really cool, but it's just a shill cash grab like a majority of Ubisoft's other projects.”
- “The advertising and trailer are better than the game itself.”