Watch Dogs 2 Leads the Pack but Each Game Has a Draw?

Yes, Watch Dogs 2 is often considered the best overall entry in the series for its polished open world and engaging hacking, but every game in the franchise—including the original, Legion, and Bloodline—has its own unique appeal and drawbacks. This article breaks down what makes each title worth playing, what holds it back, and how to choose the right one for your play style.

Background: The Watch Dogs Series

Watch Dogs is an open-world action-adventure franchise developed by Ubisoft. The series revolves around hacking—players control characters who can infiltrate city infrastructure, manipulate traffic lights, hack security cameras, and access personal data through a fictional operating system called ctOS. The first game launched in 2014 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, set in a fictionalized Chicago. Watch Dogs 2 followed in 2016, moving to San Francisco and introducing a more lighthearted tone. Watch Dogs: Legion (2020) shifted to a dystopian London where players can recruit almost any NPC as a playable character. The series also has a story expansion, Bloodline, which focuses on the first game’s protagonist, Aiden Pearce.

What Makes Watch Dogs 2 Stand Out

Watch Dogs 2 is widely praised for its cohesive design. You play as Marcus Holloway, a young hacker in the DedSec collective, fighting against a surveillance state. The game’s strengths:

• Gameplay variety: You can approach almost every mission with stealth, hacking, drones, or direct combat. The RC drone and jumper bot add creative options that the first game lacked.
• Open world: San Francisco is vibrant, colorful, and full of activities—from hacking cultural landmarks to racing drones. The city feels alive and supports the playful tone.
• Character and story: Marcus and his crew are likable and the narrative, while not deep, is engaging and consistent. The game doesn’t take itself too seriously, which fits the hacking fantasy.
• Hacking mechanics: The ability to hack almost anything—traffic, cranes, steam pipes, and even people’s phones—makes you feel like a true hacker. The game rewards creativity.

However, Watch Dogs 2 also has drawbacks: the driving physics are floaty and less satisfying than in other open-world games, and the shooting feels weaker than in the first title. The story’s stakes are lower, and the villain is forgettable.

Each Game’s Own Draw

Watch Dogs (2014)

The original game’s draw is its gritty, serious tone and its iconic protagonist, Aiden Pearce. The story is a revenge thriller with a darker atmosphere that many players prefer. The hacking is more limited (you can’t control drones or jumpers), but the focus on stealth and the ability to trigger traps (like exploding steam pipes) feels satisfying. The game also has a strong multiplayer mode where you can invade other players’ games. Its main weakness is that the hacking feels less integrated into the world—you mostly press a button to trigger a scripted event, and the driving is also stiff.

Watch Dogs: Legion (2020)

Legion’s unique draw is the “Play as Anyone” mechanic. You can recruit any NPC you see—from a construction worker with a cargo drone to a grandmother with a stun gun—and each character has unique abilities and perks. This allows for incredible replayability and emergent stories. The setting of near-future London is detailed and atmospheric, and the ability to switch between characters mid-mission adds strategy. However, the trade-off is that the story feels disconnected because the characters are interchangeable, and the voice acting can be repetitive. The game also removed the protagonist-driven narrative that gave the previous games emotional weight.

Watch Dogs: Bloodline (DLC)

Bloodline is a story expansion for Legion that brings back Aiden Pearce and introduces Wrench (from Watch Dogs 2) as playable characters. Its draw is nostalgia and a more focused narrative. The missions are designed around these two characters, giving a more personal story than the main Legion campaign. It also adds new gadgets and abilities. The downside is that it’s short (around 6–8 hours) and still uses Legion’s engine, so it inherits some of the same issues like weaker driving and a less lively world.

How to Choose the Right Game for You

Your choice depends on what you value most in a game:

• If you want the most polished, fun experience: Play Watch Dogs 2. It has the best balance of gameplay, world, and character.
• If you prefer a serious, gritty story: Play the original Watch Dogs. It’s more grounded and has a more memorable protagonist.
• If you love emergent gameplay and replayability: Try Legion. The recruit-anyone mechanic is unique and can lead to hilarious moments.
• If you’re a fan of Aiden Pearce and want more of his story: Play Bloodline after Legion (or even without it, but it’s best played after the main campaign).

If you’re new to the series, start with Watch Dogs 2—it’s the most accessible and gives the best first impression.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that Watch Dogs is a “GTA clone.” While both are open-world crime games, Watch Dogs focuses on hacking and stealth rather than pure chaos. Another issue players often complain about is the driving physics, which are notoriously floaty across all games. The series also has a reputation for downgraded graphics compared to early trailers, though this was mostly a launch issue for the first game. In terms of technical problems, Legion had performance issues on last-gen consoles (PS4/Xbox One) at launch, with frame rate drops and bugs. Watch Dogs 2 had some online connectivity issues, but these have largely been fixed over time.

Comparing the Games: A Quick Overview

Here’s a side-by-side look at the main entries:

• Setting: Chicago (WD1), San Francisco (WD2), London (Legion).
• Protagonist: Aiden Pearce (WD1), Marcus Holloway (WD2), any NPC (Legion).
• Tone: Dark and serious (WD1), light and playful (WD2), dystopian and satirical (Legion).
• Hacking depth: Basic (WD1), advanced with drones (WD2), similar to WD2 but with more gadgets (Legion).
• Multiplayer: Invasion and co-op (WD1), co-op and competitive (WD2), co-op (Legion).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Watch Dogs 2 better than Watch Dogs 1?

Most players and critics agree that Watch Dogs 2 is a better game overall—it has a more engaging world, better hacking mechanics, and more personality. However, if you prefer a serious story with a brooding protagonist, you might enjoy the original more.

Do I need to play the previous games before Watch Dogs 2 or Legion?

No, each game has a standalone story. There are references to previous events, but you won’t be lost. Bloodline, however, is best played after Legion and ideally after the first game to fully appreciate Aiden’s character arc.

Which Watch Dogs game has the best multiplayer?

Watch Dogs 2 has the most robust multiplayer, with seamless co-op missions and competitive modes like Bounty Hunter. Legion’s multiplayer is also fun but less populated. The original had a unique invasion mode that was tense and innovative.

Can you play as Aiden Pearce in Watch Dogs 2?

No, Aiden does not appear as a playable character in Watch Dogs 2. He appears in a side mission as an NPC, but you play as Marcus. Aiden is playable in Legion’s Bloodline expansion.

Is Watch Dogs Legion worth it after the other games?

If you’re a fan of the series, yes—Legion offers a unique experience with the play-as-anyone mechanic. However, it’s the weakest in terms of narrative and character development. If you’re only interested in a strong story, you might skip it and just play Watch Dogs 2.

What is the best way to play Watch Dogs 2?

Play on PC or a current-gen console for the best performance and visuals. On PC, you can also use mods to enhance the experience. The game is also playable on last-gen consoles but with lower frame rates and longer load times.

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