Watch Dogs 2 Review: A Step Forward, But Not Far Enough

Posted on by John Doe in Reviews Leave a Comment

Ubisoft's Watch Dogs series has always walked a fine line between high-octane action and shallow narrative design. With the release of Watch Dogs 2, developer Ubisoft Montreal attempts to strike an even balance – but ultimately falls short.

While Watch Dogs 2 improves upon its predecessor in several key areas, it fails to fully live up to expectations set by its forefather. The game's biggest strength lies within its faithfulness to what came before; the sense of immersion and tension that permeates each mission is undeniably authentic – a testament to Ubisoft Montreal's clear understanding of what made Watch Dogs 2 so compelling in the first place.

However, as with any attempt at recreating success, there are also inherent risks involved. In this case, those risks manifest themselves through an overly formulaic approach that quickly becomes monotonous and predictable. Missions feel like rehashed versions of their predecessors – a far cry from what players may have hoped for given the promise made by Watch Dogs 2's marketing campaign.

Furthermore, Ubisoft Montreal seems to struggle with tonal consistency throughout its narrative. At times, the game veers precariously close to campy comedy; at others it attempts something darker and grittier but ultimately falls flat due to poor execution.

The story itself is perhaps one of the greatest disappointments here – especially when compared favorably against Watch Dogs' more engaging narrative arc. While there are glimmers of promise throughout, much like its predecessors, the overall experience feels hollow and lacking in substance; a feeling that only serves to further alienate players who had initially invested hours into what promised to be something truly special.

In conclusion, while Watch Dogs 2 represents an improvement over its predecessor – albeit one marred by several significant missteps – it ultimately fails to live up fully to the lofty expectations set for it. With a more innovative approach in both mission design and narrative execution needed if Ubisoft Montreal hopes to compete with some of gaming's current heavy hitters, we can only hope that Watch Dogs 3 will finally deliver on its promise.

Rating: out of 10

Recommended For Fans Of:

- Fast-paced action titles

- Players looking for a faithful recreation of their favorite IP

Not Recommended For:

- Those seeking something truly innovative in terms of gameplay mechanics or narrative design

Watch dogs 2 review