Watch Dogs is a renowned video game franchise created by Ubisoft, that blends hacking, stealth, and action in various immersive open-world environments. The franchise consists of four main installments: Watch Dogs (2014), Watch Dogs 2 (2016), Watch Dogs: Legion (2020), and Watch Dogs: Bloodline (2021). Each installment has its own unique protagonist, storyline, gameplay mechanics, and setting.
But which installment is the most outstanding in the franchise? How do they stack up against each other in terms of visuals, narrative, gameplay, and entertainment value? In this article, we will evaluate and rank the Watch Dogs games from the least to the most impressive, based on our personal preference and some criteria.
Let’s dive in List of Watch Dogs Ranked :
4. Watch Dogs (2014)
The first game in the series, Watch Dogs, introduces us to Aiden Pearce, a hacker and vigilante who seeks revenge for the death of his niece. The game is set in a fictionalized version of Chicago, where Aiden can hack into the city’s central operating system (ctOS) and manipulate various devices and systems, such as traffic lights, cameras, bridges, and even people’s phones and bank accounts. The game also features a variety of missions, side activities, and multiplayer modes.
However, Watch Dogs suffers from several flaws that prevent it from being a great game. First of all, the graphics are disappointing, especially compared to the stunning visuals that were shown in the game’s initial reveal at E3 2012. The game looks dull, bland, and outdated, with poor textures, lighting, and animations. Secondly, the story is generic and clichéd, with a boring and unlikable protagonist, a predictable plot, and forgettable characters. Thirdly, the gameplay is repetitive and uninspired, with a lot of hacking gimmicks that quickly lose their novelty, and a lot of shooting and driving that feel clunky and unresponsive. Lastly, the game is riddled with bugs, glitches, and performance issues, that hamper the overall experience.
Watch Dogs is not a terrible game, but it is a mediocre one. It has some cool ideas and moments, but it fails to deliver on its potential and promises. It is a game that tries to be a jack of all trades, but ends up being a master of none.
3. Watch Dogs: Legion (2020)
The third game in the series, Watch Dogs: Legion, takes us to a dystopian version of London, where a hacker group called DedSec fights against a corrupt private military company called Albion, and a mysterious hacker collective called Zero Day. The game’s main selling point is that it allows the player to recruit and play as any NPC in the game world, each with their own unique appearance, personality, skills, and backstory. The game also features a dynamic and immersive open world, with a lot of activities, landmarks, and secrets to discover.
However, Watch Dogs: Legion also has its share of problems that hold it back from being a great game. First of all, the graphics are inconsistent, with some areas and effects looking gorgeous, and others looking bland and low-quality. The game also suffers from frequent crashes, freezes, and glitches, that ruin the immersion and frustrate the player. Secondly, the story is weak and disjointed, with a lack of focus, direction, and stakes. The game tries to tackle too many themes and topics, but fails to explore them in a meaningful and coherent way. The game also lacks a strong and memorable protagonist, as the player can switch between any character at any time, making it hard to connect and care about them. Thirdly, the gameplay is shallow and repetitive, with a lot of missions and activities that feel similar and tedious. The game also lacks challenge and balance, as the player can easily overpower and outsmart the enemies, and exploit the game’s systems and mechanics.
Watch Dogs: Legion is an ambitious and innovative game, but it is also a flawed and unfinished one. It has a lot of potential and charm, but it also has a lot of issues and shortcomings. It is a game that tries to be a revolution, but ends up being a disappointment.
2. Watch Dogs: Bloodline (2021)
The fourth game in the series, Watch Dogs: Bloodline, is a standalone expansion for Watch Dogs: Legion, that serves as a prequel to the main game. The game follows Aiden Pearce, the protagonist of the first game, and Wrench, a fan-favorite character from the second game, as they team up to steal a powerful device from a tech company in London. The game features a new and engaging story, with a lot of humor, drama, and twists. The game also features improved and refined gameplay, with more hacking options, weapons, gadgets, and skills.
However, Watch Dogs: Bloodline also has some limitations that prevent it from being a perfect game. First of all, the graphics are still not very impressive, with some low-resolution textures, pop-in, and clipping issues. The game also has some minor bugs and glitches, that can be annoying and distracting. Secondly, the game is relatively short and linear, with only a handful of main missions, and a few side missions and activities. The game also reuses a lot of assets and locations from Watch Dogs: Legion, making it feel less fresh and original. Thirdly, the game is not very challenging or rewarding, with a lot of easy and straightforward objectives, and a lack of meaningful progression and customization.
Watch Dogs: Bloodline is a fun and satisfying game, but it is also a simple and straightforward one. It has a lot of personality and polish, but it also has a lot of limitations and restrictions. It is a game that tries to be a bridge, but ends up being a detour.
1. Watch Dogs 2 (2016)
The second game in the series, Watch Dogs 2, is the best game in the franchise, in our opinion. The game follows Marcus Holloway, a hacker and activist who joins DedSec, a hacker group that exposes the corruption and abuses of the ctOS system in San Francisco. The game features a vibrant and lively open world, with a lot of variety, detail, and interactivity. The game also features a compelling and humorous story, with a lot of memorable and likable characters, and a lot of relevant and timely themes and messages. The game also features a diverse and dynamic gameplay, with a lot of hacking options, stealth opportunities, combat styles, and customization choices.
Watch Dogs 2 is not a flawless game, but it is a fantastic one. It has some minor issues, such as some unrealistic physics, some cheesy dialogue, and some unfair difficulty spikes. But it also has a lot of strengths, such as its graphics, its story, its gameplay, and its fun factor. It is a game that tries to be a masterpiece, and succeeds in being one.
Conclusion
Watch Dogs is a fantastic video game series, that has evolved and improved over the years, and that has given us some memorable and enjoyable games. Each game has its own strengths and weaknesses, and its own fans and critics. But which game is the best in the series? That is a matter of personal preference and opinion. For us, the best game in the series is Watch Dogs: Legion, followed by Watch Dogs 2, Watch Dogs: Bloodline, and Watch Dogs. But you may have a different opinion, and that is fine. The important thing is to have fun and to appreciate the games for what they are.
FAQ
- Q: What is the order of the Watch Dogs games?
- A: The chronological order of the Watch Dogs games is: Watch Dogs: Bloodline, Watch Dogs, Watch Dogs 2, and Watch Dogs: Legion. However, the games are not directly connected, and can be played in any order.
- Q: Which Watch Dogs game has the best graphics?
- A: The Watch Dogs game with the best graphics is Watch Dogs: Legion, which uses ray tracing technology, to create realistic lighting and reflections. However, the graphics quality may vary depending on the platform and the settings.
- Q: Which Watch Dogs game has the best story?
- A: The Watch Dogs game with the best story is subjective, and depends on the player’s taste and preference. However, some factors that may influence the story quality are: the protagonist, the antagonist, the plot, the themes, the dialogue, and the ending.
- Q: Which Watch Dogs game has the best gameplay?
- A: The Watch Dogs game with the best gameplay is also subjective, and depends on the player’s style and preference. However, some factors that may influence the gameplay quality are: the hacking mechanics, the combat mechanics, the stealth mechanics, the driving mechanics, the customization options, and the multiplayer mode.
- Q: Which Watch Dogs game is the longest?
- A: The Watch Dogs game with the longest duration is Watch Dogs: Legion, which can take up to 40 hours to complete the main story, and up to 100 hours to complete all the content. However, the duration may vary depending on the player’s pace and completion rate.