Watch Dogs

Platform PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Release May 27, 2014
Developer Ubisoft
Publisher Ubisoft

Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs sought to update the open-world adventure game to the near future. In the single-player campaign, players take on the role of Aiden Pearce, a vigilante hacker who seeks revenge for the death of his young niece. The game fits in neatly to the Assassin’s Creed universe, as there are some ties between certain characters and the Knights Templar and Assassin orders. Helped along by fellow hackers and other friends of dubious morality, Aiden takes on larger and more dangerous enemies, using his hacking ability to manipulate the city’s defenses to prevent pursuit, sneak into restricted areas, and gain information. Watch Dogs allows players to join others’ games and attempt to hack into their in-game cellphone, as well as more traditional racing modes, competitive decryption, and challenges involving the game’s ctOS system. The game received generally positive reviews for its inventive hacking mechanic and mission variety, though some critics found Aiden’s character to be underdeveloped. Though no sequel has been officially announced, Ubisoft’s senior vice president has said that Watch Dogs is a franchise and rumors say a second game is planned for a 2016 release.

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