Watch Dogs

Overall, the opinions of the critics regarding the story of Watch Dogs are quite mixed. Some critics, such as Cheat Code Central, Game Informer, and Softpedia, appreciate the interesting premise and themes of revenge and justice. They find the story engaging and mention the presence of moral dilemmas and conspiratorial twists. Gameplanet also praises the game for exploring difficult subject matter like human trafficking and handling it delicately. These positive aspects of the story contribute to the overall enjoyment and engagement of the players. However, there are several critics, such as GameCritics, GameFront, Gamestyle, and Slant Magazine, who express disappointment with the story. They criticize the story for being bland, falling short of its potential, and lacking depth in character development and relationships. The lack of a clear main antagonist and meandering plot are also mentioned as negative aspects. NowGamer acknowledges that while there are cliched moments and one-dimensional characters, there are also moments of quality and intrigue in the story. These negative aspects of the story hinder the overall impact and immersion of the players. Taking into account the opinions of the critics, the overall consensus on the story of Watch Dogs is mixed. While some critics appreciate the interesting premise, moral themes, and conspiratorial twists, others find the story to be a total afterthought, falling short of its potential. The lack of depth in character development, meandering plot, and inconsistent storytelling are mentioned as drawbacks. However, there are also positive aspects mentioned, such as the exploration of difficult subject matter and the presence of moral dilemmas. It is clear that the story of Watch Dogs has its strengths and weaknesses, and the overall enjoyment of the players will depend on their personal preferences and tolerance for the negative aspects mentioned by the critics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Watch Dogs are varied, but there are several positive aspects that stand out. Many critics praise the unique hacking mechanic, which allows players to manipulate the environment and use technology to their advantage. Cheat Code Central, Game Informer, and TheSixthAxis all highlight the hacking abilities as a meaningful dimension to combat and a key aspect of the gameplay. The open-world exploration and variety of activities also receive positive feedback, with Game Revolution, Gameplanet, and Gamestyle mentioning the fun and wealth of options available in the game. The ability to approach missions in different ways, whether through stealth, hacking, or shooting, is also commended by several critics, including GameCritics and NowGamer. However, there are also some negative aspects of the gameplay that critics point out. Some critics, such as CalmDownTom and Slant Magazine, describe the gameplay as generic and standard, with repetitive mission endings and limited customization options. The driving mechanics are also criticized by CalmDownTom for taking time to get used to. TheSoftpedia mentions that chases and running after opponents can become tedious, while TheSixthAxis notes that police chases and evasion can get repetitive. IGN Italia and Pure Xbox mention technical issues and underwhelming hacking mechanics, respectively. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Watch Dogs offers a unique and entertaining gameplay experience. The hacking mechanic is widely praised for adding a new layer to the action and allowing for creative approaches to missions. The open-world exploration and variety of activities provide players with a wealth of options and opportunities for gameplay. However, there are some criticisms regarding the generic nature of certain gameplay elements, repetitive mission endings, and technical issues. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is positive, with many critics highlighting the strengths of the hacking mechanic and the ability to approach missions in different ways.

In terms of the graphics and visual design of Watch Dogs, the overall sentiment among the critics is mixed. There are several positive aspects that are highlighted by multiple reviewers. Cheat Code Central praises the game for its well-done and realistic graphics, particularly noting the presence of gruesome scenarios. AusGamers also commends the visuals, describing them as stunning and highlighting the beautiful and alive city that feels realistic. Game Revolution considers the interpretation of Chicago in the game to be highly detailed and sets a new standard for open-world environments. They acknowledge some minor frame-rate issues but overall view it as a technical achievement. TheSixthAxis mentions that Watch Dogs captures the essence of the original reveal and has a "next-gen" look, especially during rainy nights. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the graphics and visual design of Watch Dogs. GameCritics points out a noticeable visual downgrade from the original footage showcased at E3, which disappointed some players. CalmDownTom mentions that while the city of Chicago looks good, there are issues with character models and clipping that detract from the overall visual design. Game Informer highlights that the graphics betray Watch Dogs' cross-gen status, with bland textures, sparse crowds, and occasional pop-in of cars and objects when traveling at speed failing to meet the new standard set by Grand Theft Auto V on last-gen hardware. Toronto Sun mentions that while the virtual Chicago in the game is detailed, there are inconsistencies in the city's behavior that can be jarring. VideoGamer states that while the setting of Chicago is large and fairly dense, it lacks graphical prowess to impress. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Watch Dogs has impressive visuals, particularly in terms of the detailed depiction of Chicago and the realistic atmosphere it creates. The game is praised for its attention to detail, such as stunning lighting effects, well-designed urban decay, and impressive water effects. However, there are criticisms regarding issues such as visual downgrades, character models, clipping, and occasional graphical inconsistencies. While some reviewers consider the graphics to be a technical achievement and a step forward for open-world environments, others feel that Watch Dogs falls short of the expectations set by earlier promotional materials. It is worth noting that the opinions on the graphics and visual design of Watch Dogs are subjective and may vary depending on individual preferences and expectations.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Watch Dogs, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects to be considered. Several critics, such as Softpedia, The Escapist, and Digitally Downloaded, praise the game's soundtrack and voice acting. Softpedia specifically mentions that the soundtrack is "quite good" and that the voice acting is "really well done." The Escapist goes as far as stating that the game has a "fantastic soundtrack" that enhances the most evocative moments of the game. This positive feedback indicates that the sound design and music successfully contribute to the overall immersive experience of Watch Dogs. However, there are also critics who express some negative opinions about the Sound Design and Music of the game. GameCritics and CalmDownTom both criticize the licensed soundtrack, stating that it is not the best choice Ubisoft could have made. Giant Bomb echoes this sentiment, mentioning that the loss of the radio format in the game makes the city feel lifeless. They also point out that the occasional forced, in-mission music and news reports feel out of place. These criticisms suggest that the soundtrack and sound design could have been improved to create a more dynamic and immersive audio experience for players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is somewhat mixed. While there are positive remarks about the soundtrack and voice acting, there are also criticisms regarding the choice of licensed music and the absence of a radio format. Despite these negative aspects, the positive feedback from Softpedia, The Escapist, and Digitally Downloaded indicates that the Sound Design and Music of Watch Dogs still manage to contribute positively to the overall experience of the game. However, it is clear that there is room for improvement in terms of the soundtrack selection and integration within the gameplay.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Watch Dogs are varied, with some praising its effectiveness and others expressing criticism. GameCritics commends the voice acting for being stylishly told and well-acted. This positive sentiment is echoed by Softpedia, who states that Aiden's voice is reasonably rough and grizzled, and the other actors also do a good job. Digitally Downloaded also shares a generally positive view, stating that the voice acting in the game is generally quite good. These opinions highlight the strengths of the voice acting, emphasizing its quality and effectiveness in bringing the characters to life. However, there are critics who express negative opinions about the voice acting in Watch Dogs. NowGamer specifically mentions the protagonist's voice as being tough to bear, indicating a lack of satisfaction with the voice portrayal. This negative sentiment is further supported by Guardian, who describes the lead character's voice as a throat-shredding growl, which adds to his characterization as a dead-eyed sociopath. While this may be effective in conveying the character's personality, it also suggests that the voice acting may not be appealing to all players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed regarding the voice acting in Watch Dogs. While some critics appreciate the stylish and well-acted performances, others find certain aspects of the voice acting to be lacking. NZGamer's opinion that the cast of characters is detailed and varied suggests that there may be a range of performances to consider. Ultimately, the voice acting in Watch Dogs seems to have both its strengths and weaknesses, leaving room for individual preferences and interpretations.

In terms of technical performance on PC, GameCritics and GameStar both mention performance issues with Watch Dogs. GameCritics specifically states that the game suffers from performance issues on every platform, particularly on PC. GameStar mentions technical issues with the Uplay service, which caused problems for players trying to start the game. These opinions suggest that the PC version of Watch Dogs may have had significant technical issues affecting gameplay. On the other hand, when it comes to the PlayStation 4 platform, AusGamers, Game Revolution, Giant Bomb, IGN Italia, NowGamer, Playstation Official Magazine UK, Toronto Sun, and games(TM) all generally agree that the game runs smoothly with minimal performance issues. AusGamers mentions no slowdowns or performance issues, except for a few times in multiplayer. Game Revolution acknowledges minor frame-rate issues but overall considers the game stable. Giant Bomb praises the usually stable frame rate and good visual implementation of hacking, but criticizes the animations and reliance on a phone for gameplay. IGN Italia mentions some technical issues at the end of missions but still states that the game runs well. NowGamer points out frame rate issues and lack of visual quality in certain situations. Playstation Official Magazine UK mentions server issues during week-one online play, but it is unclear if there are other technical problems. Toronto Sun describes the game as a polished technical achievement, and games(TM) states that the game moves smoothly at all times. These positive opinions from multiple critics indicate that the PlayStation 4 version of Watch Dogs generally performed well. Regarding the Xbox One platform, Digitally Downloaded mentions limited loading times and generally well-adapting AI. However, they also note that there are situations where the AI can be boneheaded. Giant Bomb, who played the game on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, reiterates the usually stable frame rate and good visual implementation of hacking, but criticizes the animations and reliance on a phone for gameplay. Worth Playing mentions a few minor issues, such as a mission needing to be restarted and occasional screen tear during cutscenes. These opinions suggest that while the Xbox One version of Watch Dogs had some positive aspects, there were also some technical issues and criticisms related to AI behavior and cutscenes. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the PlayStation 4 version of Watch Dogs performed well, with smooth gameplay and minimal performance issues. The Xbox One version also had some positive aspects, such as limited loading times and well-adapting AI, but there were also technical issues and criticisms. The PC version, according to GameCritics and GameStar, suffered from performance issues on every platform, particularly on PC. It is important to note that while there were some varying opinions and criticisms, the majority of critics seemed to agree that Watch Dogs had stable frame rates and good visual implementation of hacking.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Watch Dogs are generally positive. Many critics highlight the game's multiplayer modes as a significant factor in enhancing the replayability. GameCritics mentions that the multiplayer modes are integrated directly into the campaign, offering a unique and intense dynamic. Game Informer also praises the Dark Souls-style multiplayer elements, which they find engaging. Game Revolution mentions the abundance of side objectives and the exciting team-based decryption mode, providing plenty of content beyond the main campaign. Digitally Downloaded adds that the multiplayer mode offers different modes and a progressive skills system, further increasing the replay value. However, there are some negative opinions regarding the replay value of Watch Dogs. VideoGamer criticizes the multiplayer, describing it as throwaway and lacking a significant impact. TheSixthAxis mentions that while there is a lot of side content, the progression system peaks too soon, and unlocks are available quickly. Toronto Sun notes that some of the optional side missions wear thin quickly, which could potentially impact the replayability for some players. Overall, the critics agree that Watch Dogs offers a substantial amount of content and variety, contributing to its replay value. The game provides a wealth of unlockables, side missions, collectibles, and mini-games, as mentioned by Game Informer, TheSixthAxis, and Worth Playing. The integration of multiplayer modes into the campaign, as highlighted by GameCritics and Gameplanet, adds another layer of replayability. The constant sense of progression, variety of side missions, and online multiplayer modes, as noted by ZTGD and Digitally Downloaded, further contribute to the game's overall replay value. While there are some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the replayability, the general consensus among the critics is that Watch Dogs offers enough content and variety to keep players engaged and prevent repetition, making it a game with high replay value.