For this review I'm not going to waste my time writing about how the story unfolds and everything else you can find in other reviews that have been out for days now. What I will write about however is the gameplay .... very simple. After reading other online reviews from the mainstream video game sites I became concerned that just maybe I had wasted $60 on a GTA5 clone with 20 hours of gameplay. Well I'm here to tell you that non of this is true whatsoever.
Watch Dogs had around 2 years, since first being announced, for feelings to build up about what the game would be like and what was possible in game by those who have been anticipating the games release. There was (and still is) a lot of talk about Watch Dogs being a GTA5 clone. Watch Dogs should not be compared with GTA5, or any other GTA for that matter, simply because Watch Dogs is in most ways its own game with its own defined personality. Comparing all open world games with GTA5 all because, well, there open world games, is not fair for the genre as a whole.
When I first jumped in the game I wasn't very exited at all for awhile until I started to get about 2 hours into the game. That is when I began to realize the huge scope and grand scheme of the game in its entirety. Admittedly, some aspects of the game such as phone hacking peoples bank accounts and checking into their past was somewhat stale after awhile, but, with so much other stuff to do these are very small gripes which only effect the gameplay in a very minute way if at all. The possibilities of hacking street lights, cameras and a plethora of other devises across the huge world map becomes infinite.
While just walking around enjoying the view and maybe looking for some hidden objects random crimes would happen that would pop up on your handy smart phone. These were always different and can go in any of thousands possible ways all depending upon your own imagination and how you use your hacking skills and environment. Sick of chasing the bad guy? No problem .... hack the transformer and blow it up as the bad guy runs by sending his body flying like a rag doll in a horrible yet realistic way. Working on the campaign is equally as fun as free roaming and you can always take a break from the main story to finish side missions, find hidden object, collect cars, ect.
It seams to me that those who complain about this game lack a certain amount of imagination the is seriously required to play and enjoy this game to its full potential. I suggest to those who had worked out in their minds what Watch Dogs "was going to be" for two years replay the game again with an open mind and how the "game is going to be" according to how Ubisoft had made it. A game that at first seems like a let down had turned out being a great game with huge potential all depending upon the player and I respect Ubisoft for putting the ultimate power in the hands of those who play the game not create it. In the end, Watch Dogs is a huge game with tons to do and an almost endless amount of replay value. With a few updates in which Ubisoft is going to release over the course of the next few months Watch Dogs will even grow better. For those who have decided to purchase this game..... just remember, Watch Dogs treats you just like you treat it. If you approach the game with little imagination you will not enjoy the game or find it "good". If you go in with an open mind with the understanding that this game can go any way you want it to .... then you'll love it like I do.
Verdict : 9/10
