Watch Dogs 2 (2016)
What is the game about
Trading Chicago’s grim downpours for the sun-drenched technology capital of the world, Watch Dogs 2 puts players in the sneakers of Marcus Holloway ("Retr0"), a charming Oakland-born hacker falsely accused of a high-profile crime by ctOS 2.0's predictive algorithm. Marcus allies with the San Francisco branch of DedSec—including the masked anarchist Wrench, graffiti artist Sitara, coding prodigy Josh, and Horatio. Armed with 3D-printed gadgets, RC Jumpers, Quadcopters, and mobile exploits, DedSec launches an irreverent digital campaign to expose corrupt tech CEOs, corrupt politicians, data brokers, and Blume CTO Dušan Nemec.
How is the game optimization
Powered by Disrupt Engine 2.0, Watch Dogs 2 stands as one of the most mechanically and visually accomplished open worlds Ubisoft has ever crafted. The simulation of the San Francisco Bay Area—spanning Silicon Valley headquarters, Lombard Street, Golden Gate Bridge, and Oakland docks—is extraordinarily reactive. On modern PC rigs, the game scales effortlessly above 100+ FPS at 1440p and 4K, featuring realistic San Francisco maritime fog physics, dynamic crowd AI, and rich volumetric lighting. On Xbox Series X|S, the game benefits from Microsoft's official 60 FPS Boost, delivering an exceptionally fluid gameplay experience.
What is the launch price
Watch Dogs 2 launched at $59.99 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Ubisoft structured the game across three distinct tiers:
| Edition | Launch Price | Included Content |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | $59.99 | Complete base game + San Francisco Bay Area sandbox and full co-op/multiplayer modes. |
| Deluxe Edition | $69.99 | Base game + Deluxe Customization Pack (Punk Rock and Urban Artist weapon skins, outfits, and vehicle wraps). |
| Gold Edition | $99.99 | Base game + Deluxe Customization Pack + Full Season Pass (including all 3 major story DLC expansions). |
Detailed Edition Breakdown
Because post-launch story content expands the gameplay mechanics considerably, here is a detailed breakdown of each edition:
What Do You Get?
- The entire 40+ hour main campaign taking on Silicon Valley titans like !NViTE, Nudle, Galilei, and Blume.
- Full access to Marcus's RC Jumper and Quadcopter drone toolkit.
- Seamless co-op missions and PvP Bounty Hunter multiplayer integration.
What Do You Get?
- Base game with all standard content.
- Punk Rock Cosmetic Pack (leather jacket, studded jeans, custom stun gun).
- Urban Artist Cosmetic Pack (street graffiti hoodie, painted drone, matching vehicle wrap).
What Do You Get?
- Full base game + Deluxe Pack cosmetics.
- Human Conditions DLC: 3 massive multi-part story operations (Automata, Bad Medicine, and Caustic Progress) investigating biotech scandals, autonomous vehicle hacking, and the return of Jordi Chin.
- No Compromise DLC: Story operation 'Moscow Gambit' pitting Marcus against the Russian mob, plus non-lethal Air Shotgun and Stun Sniper weapons.
- T-Bone Content Bundle: Raymond Kenney's monster truck, signature outfit, and Mayhem Mayhem co-op challenge difficulty.
Which edition/version to buy
The Gold Edition is the definitive choice. While the base game is packed with content, the Human Conditions expansion features some of the sharpest writing in the series and reintroduces fan-favorite Fixer Jordi Chin. During seasonal sales on Steam, Ubisoft Connect, and PlayStation/Xbox storefronts, the Gold Edition frequently drops to $8.99 - $11.99 USD (over 85% off), making it an incredible bargain for 50+ hours of premium open-world gaming.
Rating of the game
The crown jewel of the series: an exuberant, mechanically inventive, and joyous hacking sandbox that perfected Ubisoft's modern open-world formula.
Game Pass & Subscription Status
Watch Dogs 2 is included in Ubisoft+ Premium and Ubisoft+ Classics. It is also available in the PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium game catalogs and has seen long-term inclusion in Xbox Game Pass (Console & PC).
The Good & The Bad
The Good
- Unrivaled gadget freedom: RC Jumper and Quadcopter allow 100% remote ghost infiltrations.
- Vibrant, culturally rich recreation of San Francisco and Silicon Valley tech campuses.
- Deep environmental systemic AI: pit gangs against police for chaotic emergent sandboxing.
- Charming, energetic cast with Marcus and Wrench providing genuine heart and humor.
The Bad
- Some tonal dissonance if the player opts for lethal automatic weapons with Marcus's cheerful persona.
- Vehicle handling, while vastly improved over the original, remains somewhat arcadey.
Is it worth to buy the game
Yes, without hesitation. Watch Dogs 2 is widely regarded by critics and players alike as the absolute pinnacle of the franchise. It replaces cynical gloom with infectious energy, smart satire of Big Tech monopolies, and a toolset that treats every building, camera, crane, and vehicle as a playground for creative problem solving. At modern discounted prices under $10, it is one of the best value-for-money purchases in the entire open-world genre.
Discount Predictor
Watch Dogs 2 is discounted by 80% to 90% off in nearly every major digital sale. The Standard Edition regularly drops to $4.99 USD, while the Gold Edition drops to $8.99 USD. With discounts occurring almost every 4 to 6 weeks, there is never a reason to pay full MSRP.
When are major sales for this game
- Steam Summer & Winter Sales: Massive 85% to 90% cuts ($4.99 base / $8.99 Gold).
- Ubisoft Publisher Spotlights: Frequent catalog deals throughout spring and autumn.
- PlayStation "Planet of the Discounts" Sales: Gold Edition regularly reduced below $12.
- Xbox "Deals with Gold / Game Pass": Recurring deep discounts for console players.
Conclusion
By embracing colorful counter-culture, inventive drone mechanics, and the sheer joy of emergent cyber-sabotage, Watch Dogs 2 didn't just iterate on its predecessor—it revolutionized the entire franchise. It remains a shining example of how listening to player feedback can transform a promising concept into an unforgettable classic.