5 reasons to revisit Watch Dogs 2 in 2024

Almost eight years after its release (as of January 2024), Watch Dogs 2 remains a memorable sequel to Watch Dogs, even though it received mixed reviews from fans. Coming two years after the launch of its prequel, this title stars a new protagonist alongside several fresh characters and antagonists. Set in modern-day San Francisco, it features a diverse map that offers a variety of terrains to explore as well.

Despite receiving complaints regarding its repetitive content, the game delivers a solid and unique experience to anybody looking to try out the sequel after finishing its predecessor. Here are a few of the reasons why players should revisit Watch Dogs 2 in 2024.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the author's opinions.

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5 best reasons to get back to Watch Dogs 2 in 2024

1) Immersive hacking experience

The hacking in Watch Dogs 2 can span from small devices to city power grids (Image via YouTube/Ubisoft North America)

Watch Dogs 2 expands upon the already existing hacking experience created by its prequel in certain exciting ways. The protagonist, Marcus Holloway, can access cameras and tag enemies through the walls with his "nethack." Proximity-based lethal and non-lethal traps can be set all around the game's map and can help gamers take control of a mission area.

Moreover, players can now access vehicles and control their steerings remotely, letting them move slow traffic away or create distractions or accidents with parked cars. This feature can be used in other ways too.

Moreover, you can also perform a mass hack where NPCs are subjected to an extremely high frequency, which disorients them and renders them useless for some time.

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2) Depiction of San Francisco

The scenic city of San Francisco offers amazing panoramic views (Image via YouTube/Ubisoft North America)

Watch Dogs 2 has a fun map that ranges from the small introductory region of Marin, where players start this game, to the small countryside landscape of Oakland. The latter is featured on the map's eastern part and can be reached after crossing the Richmond San Rafael Bridge. Oakland features oil fields, a superior court, a lakeside park, a city hall, and a port, all set around a rural theme.

Continuing down the southern side of this game's map, players will come across the modern skyrise of Oakland. Here, they can cross a bridge and reach Silicon Valley, situated on the map's extreme south. Tech companies reside in this area, along with Stanford University, Nudle HQ, and Palo Alto.

The Crystal Spring and Sam Mateo regions provide a smooth transition, introducing gamers to the main location of San Francisco. This place is depicted very accurately, showcasing the dense concrete jungle set across the San Bruno mountain region on the map's far west side.

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3) Fun and unique gadgets

A wide range of gadgets are available for the players to tinker around (Image via YouTube/Ubisoft North America)

The protagonist has access to a 3D printer, which gives players the ability to get their hands on some cool weapons with badass names as well as toys that help with recon and facilitate stealth. This tool grants access to a quadcopter and an RC jumper, both of which are very convenient little gadgets that help gamers scan enemy locations, reach hard-to-access terminals, carry explosives, and set traps.

Watch Dogs 2 offers a few different approaches to all the missions, and these two gadgets make sure the protagonist is always one step ahead.

Marcus also has the option to carry a non-lethal stun gun with him for subduing enemies without killing them. Moreover, he has two backup offensive options he can fall back on in case a situation requires the player to be more aggressive.

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4) Wide range of accessible vehicles

Players are given a wide selection of vehicles to play around with in Watch Dogs 2 (Image via YouTube/Ubisoft North America)

Along with the numerous different locations, Watch Dogs 2 players can access many different vehicles. When not on the hunt for Blume antagonists, gamers can explore the map using bikes and cars and even cross under the Golden Gate Bridge by captaining a boat.

When they feel extra adventurous, they can even hack into trains. San Francisco houses many trains, including cable cars, freight trains, and street trams. Also, when players feel like off-roading, they can drive ATVs across the terrain of Oakland or Silicon Valley hills.

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5) Enhanced hacking tool

The interactive hacking tool in Watch Dogs 2 houses a big battery to allow multiple hacks at a time (Image via Ubisoft)

Watch Dogs 2 has three playstyles: Trickster, Aggressor, and Ghost. This game's new and improved profiler, which can be unlocked from the skill tree, caters to the first one the most. Trickster facilitates a "hackerman" approach, emphasizing stealth and the manipulation of world objects. The improved profiler gives players more hacking opportunities and more detailed information about NPCs. It also helps unlock additional skills.

When you're playing as an Aggressor, the hacking is focused towards maximum lethality and destruction, and all your gadgets can aid in this approach.

Lastly, the Ghost playstyle emphasizes hacking to create distractions, as this approach heavily favors stealth, silent weapons, and non-lethal takedowns.