Watch Dogs (2014) - [Review]

A recent addition to the videogame universe this year was Watch Dogs, a multiple platform video game that offered its players the chance to take control of a fictional version of Chicago, by ‘hacking’ the City. The game, developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft collective, enticed players in with the idea of being able to hack every technological feature in the City, after its installation of the ctOS network, which connects the whole city together ‘as a community’. The centralized operating system manages and controls the whole city of Chicago, and as evidenced, is apparently easier to hack into than anything before. Whilst the construction of said system was probably the most idiotic thing a person could do, it serves as a great function for the game, as players are able to control (after acquiring the needed skill points and abilities) everything from blockers to bridges, steam pipes to junction boxes, helicopters to explosive packs on enemies, are much, much, more.

Watch Dogs focuses on the character Aiden Pearce (Noam Jenkins), whom the player controls throughout the game, a grey-hat hacker who can hack into the poorly designed ctOS network and use the system for his own means. By opening his phone (which contains the software), he can profile those around him and access cameras, vehicles and other technological items in order to infiltrate people’s bank accounts and steal money from them, in addition to a wide variety of other things (like one-time hacks, songs and vehicles). The story begins with Pearce and his former partner, Damien Brenks, as they carry out a job on the Merlaut Hotel, which Pearce transferring funds from his smart-phone. Things start to unravel when Brenks comes across a mysterious file, and although Pearce tells him to leave it, whilst Brenks tries to unlock it, he alerts another hacker, who notices them both. Pearce quickly leaves the scene, disabling Brenks’ abilities to further investigate the file. Pearce hurries to get his family out of the city and away from any danger, but a hit has already been put out on Aiden and a man named Maurice (Christopher Jacot) drives past Aiden’s car, which is also carrying his sister (Nicole/Nicky, voiced by Anne Hopkins), neice (Lena) and nephew (Jackson/Jacks, voiced by Nicholas Bode) and shoots out the tyre, causing the car to crash – and Lena to die. Post funeral, the game focuses on Aiden’s character as he tries to get revenge and answers for his neice’s death.

In addition to Aiden, the only playable character in the game, there are other character who help him, in the form of DedSec member Clara Lilles (Isabelle Blais), a tattoo artist and hacker; Raymond “T-Bone” Kenny (John Trench), a former ctOS engineer who designed the network; and Jordi Chen (Aaron Douglas), a ‘fixer’. The notable other characters in the game who Aiden converses with are his former partner, Damien Brenks (Daniel Kash), ‘Lucky’ Quinn, a crime boss of Chicago’s underground (Myron Natwick), and a gang leader with a military background in the form of Iraq (Jerod Hayes). The character’s storylines are particularly developed, and this is one of the positive features of the game, with particular reference to Clara and Raymond Kenny, and the player can also discover audio files throughout the games campaigns that reveal further information as to their back-stories.

The weapons available to players to use range from semi-automatic weapons like machine guns/rifles, SMG’s, pistols, grenade launchers, sniper rifles, shotguns and more. Ammo for the weapons are available to buy at the gun stores located throughout the districts, whilst hacking is available in the districts once the player has infiltrated the various compounds that hold each connection. After Aiden has ‘defeated’ the compound in that district, he will be able to hack into, and control, that area. Players also have the option of visiting the craft stores that stock things like jam coms (which disable communication and tracking devices in the area), IED’s (bombs that detonate on command or motion detection) frag grenades and blackouts, which can be used to aid in mission completion. The variety of weaponry and the hacking features of the game propel gameplay to exciting new levels and further the level of interactivity one can have with the city, making for adventurous and action-packed sequences and explosions, particularly during chase sequences. Furthermore, the player can earns skill points from XP advancements, which can be used to purchase increased abilities that span across four areas; hacking, driving, combat and crafting. These allow gameplay to be moulded around individual choices, which make for an engaged gameplay situation (note – there aren’t enough skill points to buy all the options, so choose wisely!).

In addition to the developed character back stories (through audio files, cut screens, video files and interludes) and hacking and weaponry abilities, the graphics are particularly on point (we played the PS3 version of the game) and there are extra online features that are available through the game’s network. Players are able to take fixer contracts that range from criminal convoys to gang hideouts, and are also alerted to when a crime is being committed; a player can also choose whether to be a ‘criminal’ or a ‘vigilante’, by the actions and choices they make in the open-world game. The extra online features are an appreciated addition to Watch Dogs varied gameplay, and the mission stylings are ever changing, meaning campaigns don’t become boring or repetitive. As mentioned, the graphics are particularly advanced (as would be expected), and the details on the features of the city and the characters themselves are intricate and well-researched and developed.

Whilst we would have liked to see more resolution for some characters in the end, and perhaps an increased understanding as to why exactly the main character would risk hundreds of other lives over the death of one girl, his niece; he only ever truly seems to contemplate this actuality towards the end of the game (after many, many, people have died). Whilst the narrative is sketchy (but the accompanying characters are great), the visuals and the open-world gameplay are the true feature to the game. The abilities Aiden possess in this playground truly make Watch Dogs a highly enjoyable game, whether you wish to cause the upmost destruction, watch your enemies simmer, or sneak past undetected; the game has all of the options to do so.

So, whilst the title character is plagued with ‘ghost of the past’ and clouded in uncertainty and ambiguity, the actual game is a full-out affair of open-world freedom, which provokes genuine enjoyment. A chaotic adventure that is fuelled by its sheer choice and abilities, and kept on a sturdy path by its secondary characters; Watch Dogs is another successful open-world game, which is sure to delight and entertain you whatever direction you choose to take with it.