Review: Watch Dogs

Watch Dogs is Ubisoft’s newest action and realism game. Released for Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and even Wii U (yes!), the game features a complex narrative in which you take control of Aiden Pearce—a hacker whose family was attacked by mobsters. Check out my complete review below!

The game’s story is quite interesting—it involves a lot of player-driven actions as you work to achieve your objectives. Everything begins after your character and his family suffer a brutal attack that results in an irreparable loss (his daughter). This tragedy propels Aiden Pearce into a relentless quest for justice across the city.

All of Chicago is interconnected by the powerful CtOS system; as the player, you will use the city itself as a weapon to finally overhaul its corrupt regime. What’s most impressive about Watch Dogs (aside from its graphics) is its storyline, which possesses fantastic depth.

The excellent Brazilian Portuguese voice acting, combined with the impressive graphics and narrative, really makes you empathize with Aiden Pearce’s motivation and pain. You can also feel the heavy burden of his past, drawing you deeper into the game’s story.

In Watch Dogs, the graphics impress no matter the platform—in our case, on the Xbox One. Even those playing the PC version, which meets only the minimum installation requirements, will not be disappointed; the visuals hold up well even on lower-end computers.

Another aspect that has earned much praise from gamers is the fantastic particle effects—like the realistic fire (we even found a bug!) and explosions. The modeling and water physics are perfectly in sync with the game’s visuals, and the reflections on vehicles, objects, buildings, and more are rendered exceptionally well.

The dynamic environments are a spectacle on their own. Perhaps the most remarkable of the game’s weather effects is how well the rain is reproduced—not only do you see countless droplets falling, but you also notice their impact on Chicago, from slick, wet roads to people taking cover.

Taking it a step further, the way objects are constructed within Chicago is another standout feature that players notice immediately. A well-known cutscene begins when the hacker defeats an enemy, and as you look around, you can see the aftermath of the conflict with debris scattered across the scene.

Another positive point is the high level of realism in the game. Even the light projections and shadows are intricately detailed—down to the glow of Aiden Pearce’s smartphone, which illuminates his face and clothing.

Good background music is practically a trademark of the developer; think of series like Assassin’s Creed and Rayman, known for their unique and captivating soundtracks. Well, Watch Dogs firmly takes its place here—it is compelling not only visually but also sonically. The background tracks, ranging from melancholic tunes to energetic beats for both in-game radios and ambient environments, seem to have been chosen with great care.

And what do you think about this review?