Multiplayer Is Watch Dogs 2’s Most Underrated Feature

The original Watch Dogs was a fascinating game for many reasons but not all of them good. Ubisoft pitched it at exactly the right time when, as gamers, we still didn’t know what to expect from the current generation of home consoles. That initial reveal footage blew our socks off and even if you go back and watch those early trailers today they still look pretty stunning. It was more than enough to draw punters in by the thousands, making Watch Dogs one of the most hyped games to ever see release. Ultimately, it didn’t deliver on every promise though I firmly stand by my review of game, scoring it a solid 8/10 back in May 2014.

Tonally, it was a bit glum and the hacking may not have been as intuitive as what we’d dreamt but it still looked superb with plenty of open world hijinks to immerse oneself in. One feature that really stood out for me personally was Ubisoft’s unique approach to online multiplayer. From what I understand many players neglected this vital piece of the Watch Dogs experience. Whether due to their indifference or the frustration of having their game sessions invaded, it didn’t take off in the way Ubisoft had no doubt envisioned.

In Watch Dogs 2, the developers carried over some of those original ideas while cutting and adding others, and this holds true across the entire game. The biggest change here is the complete removal of the competitive team-based modes. These have been supplanted by a suite of co-op missions designed for two players, dotted all over San Francisco. Naturally these are way more fun when teaming up with a friend, the pair of you working in sync to distract and dispose of guards while carrying out objectives and generally having a laugh. Getting lumped with a random buddy can be just as good, though some modicum of coordination is needed, especially when opting for a stealthy, non-lethal approach. It’s definitely a mode I’ll come back to once I’ve purchased more weapons and fleshed out my skill tree.

In the meantime, I’ve been exploring San Fran at my own leisurely pace. The one thing I enjoy most about Watch Dogs 2 is being able to set small objectives and kick back without feeling any sort of pressure to pursue story beats or unlock certain features. Sometimes, those “small objectives” involve hacking into another player’s session, looking for an easy source of XP while testing just how much of a sly little pest I can be.

Hacking events can be triggered by selecting them on the world map or started via the seamless multiplayer when players come within a certain proximity – despite its initial troubles, it’s been working fine for a couple weeks now. They work in almost exactly the same way they did in the original Watch Dogs. First you need to establish a line of sight before hacking your mark. Doing so will create a radius on the map in which to hide and wait until the hack is complete.

As the defending player, it’s your job to hunt down and neutralise the hacker. This can be daunting at first though the tracking radius will eventually shrink, allowing you to focus your search. Of course, there are plenty of gadgets and hacking tools at your disposal. Instead of running around like a muppet, you can now cast a drone into the sky, picking up any suspicious movement on the ground below.

Attackers have an equal number of advantages available. Before initiating a hack, there’s usually time to scout a perfect hiding spot or escape route. Establishing a line of sight doesn’t have to be done in person either thanks to the RC jumper and drone. Once the defending player starts searching for you, there’s plenty of ways to throw them off your trail by hacking cars, cameras, and other objects in your environment. Being able to dupe and manipulate your online opponents in such a way is extremely satisfying.

Although not quite as fun, becoming a bounty hunter is yet another brilliant distraction from the main game. If a player attracts too much heat then others can seamlessly phase into their session and help the cops bring them down. Unlike invasions, there’s little room for subtlety as you strap in and blast across San Fran, looking for the perfect moment to strike. At such speed, making use of hacks can be tricky but can yield some thrilling set pieces. Nothing beats hacking a convict’s steering wheel just as they come to the edge of a cliff.

One small yet clever change to multiplayer is how rewards are dished out. Part of the reason why people switched it off in the original game was down to losing online XP whenever targeted by a successful hack. Here, however, there are no such penalties; fail to complete your objective and you’ll walk away with nothing more than damaged pride.

The whole seamless aspect is also a nice touch. Don’t expect a GTA Online level of player interactivity here – most of your encounters with others will be fleeting moments of emergent gameplay. Having prompts pop up whenever a multiplayer opportunity nearby is great, but can be completely bypassed if you’d rather not get involved.

While ploughing through Watch Dogs 2’s many missions and side ops, it’s easy to block out the multiplayer component even when it’s right there in your face. It’s certainly not for everyone, but we’d strongly recommend giving each mode a try.