9 Powerful Reasons Watch Dogs 2 Is Still a Must-Play Open-World Masterpiece (Honest Review)
Key Takeaways
- Watch Dogs 2 improves on the first game in almost every way
- San Francisco feels alive, colorful, and fun to explore
- Hacking is smarter, smoother, and way more creative
- Stealth and non-lethal playstyles actually feel rewarding
- The story is lighter, funnier, and surprisingly relevant
- Side missions are not boring filler
- Multiplayer blends smoothly into single-player
- Still holds up visually in 2026
- It’s one of the best modern Ubisoft open-world games
Watch Dogs 2 is a huge step up from the original, offering better hacking mechanics, a vibrant open world set in San Francisco, and a fun, relatable cast led by Marcus Holloway. With creative missions, improved stealth, and seamless online features, it remains one of Ubisoft’s most underrated open-world games.
Introduction: My Unexpected Love for Watch Dogs 2
I’ll be honest. After playing the first Watch Dogs, I wasn’t exactly hyped for the sequel. I enjoyed it, sure, but it felt a bit too serious. A bit too gray. A bit too “I’m brooding in the rain.”
Then I booted up Watch Dogs 2… and five hours disappeared like my weekend plans.
This game surprised me. It didn’t just fix problems. It flipped the entire tone and said, “Let’s have some fun.”
And fun is exactly what I got.
A Brighter, Bolder San Francisco
One of the first things that hit me was the setting. Goodbye gloomy Chicago. Hello sunshine.
San Francisco feels alive. Bright streets. Tech campuses. Hipster cafés. Coastal views. It’s colorful and playful, and that energy matches the game’s vibe perfectly.
The Open World Actually Feels Alive
I’ve played a lot of open-world games. Too many, probably. Some worlds feel like pretty backgrounds. This one feels like a playground.
You can:
- Hack traffic lights and cause chaos
- Call gang hits on enemies
- Control drones and RC cars
- Listen to random NPC conversations (some are hilarious)
- Trigger police responses without firing a single bullet
And somehow, it rarely feels repetitive.
Exploration That Rewards Curiosity
Instead of climbing towers (you know the drill), you scout locations creatively. Sometimes I’d spend 20 minutes just figuring out how to sneak into a building without stepping inside.
And yes, I felt like a genius every time it worked.
Marcus Holloway – A Hero You Actually Like
Let’s talk about Marcus.
Unlike Aiden Pearce, Marcus feels human. He jokes. He smiles. He messes up. He reacts like a real person would.
The crew at DedSec feels like actual friends, not cardboard cutouts.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Watch Dogs | Watch Dogs 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Dark & Serious | Light & Playful |
| Protagonist | Aiden (Brooding) | Marcus (Relatable) |
| Humor | Minimal | Frequent & Smart |
| World Vibe | Gritty | Colorful |
The shift in tone makes a massive difference.
Hacking Is Where the Game Truly Shines
If you’re playing Watch Dogs 2 like a normal shooter, you’re doing it wrong.
The real magic is in the hacking system.
Creative Chaos
You can:
- Trigger explosions remotely
- Hack forklifts and move objects
- Redirect money from NPCs
- Control security cameras
- Turn enemy traps against them
I once completed an entire mission without stepping inside the building. Drone in. Hack everything. Walk away like I owned the place.
It felt ridiculously satisfying.
Stealth Feels Rewarding
The non-lethal approach is actually viable here.
You can:
- Use stun weapons
- Distract guards
- Call police on enemies
- Create environmental traps
I personally preferred playing as a “ghost hacker.” Mostly because my aim isn’t great. But hey, the game supports that style beautifully.
Mission Design That Doesn’t Feel Copy-Paste
Also Read This Article On 7 Brutal Truths About The Order 1886 – An Honest and Stunning PS4 Review
Open-world games sometimes fall into the trap of repetition.
Watch Dogs 2 avoids that by mixing things up:
- Tech-company infiltration missions
- Social-media satire objectives
- Hacker-themed puzzles
- Story-driven set pieces
- Creative environmental challenges
Some missions even poke fun at Silicon Valley culture. It’s satire, but it feels grounded.
And honestly? It’s more relevant today than when it launched.
Seamless Multiplayer Integration
Here’s something Ubisoft nailed.
Multiplayer doesn’t feel forced. It blends naturally into your world.
You might suddenly get:
- Hacked by another player
- Invaded during free roam
- Random co-op events
And it works smoothly most of the time.
Unlike some other Ubisoft titles, the online features don’t break immersion.
Visuals and Performance in 2026
For a 2016 game, this still looks impressive.
Character animations hold up. Lighting is strong. Reflections are decent. On modern hardware, it runs beautifully.
If you’re playing on PC with updated drivers or current-gen consoles, it still feels modern.
Where It Falls Short
No game is perfect.
Here are a few weak spots:
- Gunplay feels average
- Some characters could use deeper development
- The story stakes don’t always feel urgent
- Enemy AI can act silly
There were moments where I thought, “Okay… that guard definitely saw me.” But overall, these issues don’t ruin the experience.
Is Watch Dogs 2 Worth Playing Today?
Also Read This Article On Little Nightmares 2 Review: 7 Terrifying Reasons This Masterpiece Will Haunt You Forever
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: Absolutely yes.
If you enjoy:
- Open-world exploration
- Creative stealth
- Tech themes
- Light satire
- Player freedom
Then this game deserves your time.
In fact, I’d argue it’s one of the most underrated entries in Ubisoft’s catalog.
Summary
Watch Dogs 2 is what happens when a developer listens to feedback and makes bold changes. It trades dark seriousness for colorful rebellion. It upgrades hacking into a true gameplay system instead of a gimmick. And it gives players freedom in how they approach missions.
FAQs
Yes. It improves tone, gameplay variety, hacking depth, and world design significantly.
Yes. The full single-player campaign works offline.
They exist in the same universe, but the story stands on its own.
The main story takes around 20–25 hours. With side content, you can easily spend 40+ hours.
Yes. The hacking tools give you many ways to approach missions, even if you’re not great at combat.
