Ubisoft Previews The Open World Of Watch Dogs

Ubisoft has shared a significant amount of gameplay details for Watch Dogs, following their announcement of the game’s release date. We’ll cover the main points for you below.

This preview comes from Ubi’s Communications Manager Gary Steinman, who deviated from directives for a mission demo to explore Watch Dogs’ open world. As he reveals, even at this stage, the open world is significantly fleshed out.

So, Watch Dogs’ Chicago is populated by Gang Hideouts throughout, giving Aiden a fresh batch of small fry bad guys perpetually in need of a lesson every time. Gary went for the Viceroys gang, and used them as practice for the main mission.

Because of the emphasis on hacking and problem solving, approaching small areas unfold as intricate puzzles to unlock. Gary tried this little side mission thrice. The 1^st time, he inadvertently killed his target, and the 2^nd time he was unprepared for the target killing him. The 3^rd time was the charm, as he hacked his way to the target, taking enemies down non-lethally.

All throughout, he felt his way around the mechanics, and learned it. Gary learned how to best utilize the hacking, make it come together with use of the environment and combat to make his way around a game map. Gary estimates he went from starting out to mastering it in fifteen minutes, and describes it as “complex yet thoroughly accessible.”

I’m hopeful Watch Dogs is a good game, whatever its final fate in the markets, and this preview bolsters my hope. We will have to wait for reviewers and fans to corroborate on this, but so far, Ubi’s next big IP is looking very good.