Watch Dogs may have been a success on the sales charts when it first launched, but the critical reception was very much the opposite of those million-plus numbers. A boring protagonist, clearly downscaled graphics and a few bugs that still send PC adopters of the title into a catatonic state when mentioned resulted in lukewarm reviews on launch.
It’s also very much an example of history repeating itself. Remember the first Assassin’s Creed? Massively impressive but let’s be honest here: It was kind of crap. Working better as a tech demo than an actual game, Ubisoft had a lump of coal that they needed to squeeze into a diamond. And they did just that with the first sequel, which earned the rave reviews that the first game lacked.
That’s the result of going back to the drawing board and listening to the fans, a process which the developers of Watch Dogs adopted for the first sequel. “The team were really proud of what the first game accomplished and we learned a lot from that experience,” marketing director Mark Slaughter said to MCVUK.
The development team listened to players and have worked very hard to implement changes based on that feedback into the next instalment. There will be a more relevant narrative with deeper characterisation; a fresh, lighter tone, more creative hacking options, better driving and a seamless online experience.
Add to this more choice on how to approach challenges and a great sense of dynamism and variety in the game world and the team have worked very hard to produce a strong offering that the players will love.
“There’s been a huge amount of feedback from Watch Dogs; the studios have listened and have added everything possible to the new game to ensure that the experience is a significantly better one. The previews so far have shown this is the case,” UK MD Rob Cooper added. Enh, I’m still thinking that a preview is your usual vertical slice of tightly constrained action but I’m still cautiously optimistic.
[typed string0=”Everything changes tomorrow” typeSpeed=”20″ startDelay=”0″ backSpeed=”20″ backDelay=”100″ loop=”1″]If anything, I’m definitely behind the more optimistic tone of Watch Dogs 2, even if it does require playing as my natural enemy: Young idealistic hacktivists who emote through LED emoticons on their helmets. You don;t know how to hack, maaaaaaaaan. Did you ever rollerblade down a city street trying to escape the law while quoting the Hacker manifesto?
Neither did I, but 1995 was a weird time man. HACK THE PLANET! Anyway, Watch Dogs 2 is out this week.
Last Updated: November 14, 2016
Kromas Ryder
November 14, 2016 at 07:59
WD2 can GTFO. The only thing Ubisoft I am looking forward to is that Division survival DLC whatever it is called. And only getting it cause I was an idiot who got a season pass.
Andre Fourie
November 14, 2016 at 08:09
The game is actually not that bad after the 1.4 fix. I still play. Its like a drug, doesn’t want to let me go. Had fun in the DZ for the first time since I bought the game. Previously it was just butthurt.
Kromas Ryder
November 14, 2016 at 08:20
Division like many other MMO’s get super repetative and boring for me. The only reason I still play WoW is the major investment of play time over the years and the attachment to many of my toons. Division with its rather stupid story and really bad gear system kept me busy a month before I packed it up. Did play last week once to see if anything changed but sadly not. The survival thing however is right up my ally and should be pretty sweet.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
November 14, 2016 at 08:03
https://media.giphy.com/media/w5rqYLk1QEndu/giphy.gif
Andre Fourie
November 14, 2016 at 08:06
I have a more important question and I need help. Overwatch or Titanfall 2? I have the opportunity to buy one of these.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
November 14, 2016 at 08:13
Overwatch, Titanfall 2 later. Overwatch has a massive player base atm while Titanfall 2 is struggling a bit thanks to the EA muppets releasing the game when they did. Plus Titanfall 2 might be on sale in December.
Viper_ZA
November 14, 2016 at 08:16
Is Titanfall 2 any good with the MP though?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
November 14, 2016 at 08:21
People really love it as far as I can tell.
Viper_ZA
November 14, 2016 at 08:22
Will definitely consider for a December purchase 😀
Andre Fourie
November 14, 2016 at 08:52
Thanks Hammer. Think I will go with that then. Probably going to have a 1TB update. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/931d0a989b5488d6f252a0d9406c5caddcce8bd27eaec5aa48f18b1fb1754618.jpg
Kromas Ryder
November 14, 2016 at 08:20
Save your money for Mass Effect!. 😛
Andre Fourie
November 14, 2016 at 08:45
Haven’t even played the first two. Just didn’t interest me, so I doubt I will go for that.
Kromas Ryder
November 14, 2016 at 09:09
You are missing out. I would suggest you at least try to get 3 on special and try that out. The MP scene is still super busy.
Andre Fourie
November 14, 2016 at 09:23
Will slot it into my backlog. 😛
Avithar
November 14, 2016 at 10:59
so we assuming they driving mechanic has been changed from arcade racer to sandbox (GTA)