Ubisoft’s highly anticipated open-world hacking-game, Watch_Dogs, will be released later this month, so JOE takes a look at what the game is all about before its worldwide release.
Right, so what’s it all about?
Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, Watch_Dogs is set in an ‘alternate reality’ version of present day Chicago, Illinois, and in the game, almost every piece of technology, from ATM’s to traffic lights, are connected via a centralised control supercomputer called ‘ctOS’ (Central Operating System). The designers made sure to mirror as much of the real city as they could in the game and the results are pretty amazing. Check out this picture showing the real Chicago below the Watch_Dogs version…
The ctOS system was set up after an event called the ‘Northeast Blackout of 2003’ – which was actually a real event, in case you didn’t know/don’t remember.
In the game’s version of the ‘Northeast Blackout of 2003’ it’s found that the blackout was actually caused by a hacker, so to avoid any more sneaky hacks cutting off the city’s power supply, a company known as Blume Corporation set up the ctOS to keep tabs on citizens at all times. So basically, the ctOS is the ‘Big Brother’ of Chicago and it watches your every move… Pretty freaky, right?
In Watch_Dogs, you play as a ‘hacktavist’ named Aiden Pearce who has smartphone loaded with apps that are capable of hacking into various parts of Chicago’s infrastructure including: traffic lights, bridges, steam pipes, fuse boxes, road blockers and much, much more (we’re not sure if Aiden has Flappy Bird downloaded to his app laden smartphone, but we’ll let you know in JOE’s review of Watch_Dogs later this month). Aiden can use the apps to his advantage whenever he needs to make a quick getaway or if he wants to stop a target in their tracks.
As well as hacking into the city’s infrastructure, Aiden can also hack into other people’s texts, phone calls and personal information, which can lead to finding new missions and very valuable info that can lead to some very lucrative rewards.
But why does Aiden want to hack everything? Is he upset because he has no Facebook friends?
Well, not exactly. Aiden is a highly skilled hacker and in a previous life he was a bit of a, how do we put this… delinquent. After a “violent family tragedy” he takes it upon himself to seek out his own form of justice by infiltrating the ctOS to find out what he needs to get revenge.
Oh…. right. So will there be a multiplayer?
Yes there is a multiplayer option in Watch_Dogs and Colin Graham, the animation director for the game, explains everything you need to know in the video below…
So why should you buy it?
First and foremost, Watch_Dogs is a game of EPIC proportions. Apart from having a massive map that’s beautifully designed, the main storyline will run from 35 to 40 hours long, depending on how fast you play though the various levels. So it’s not something that you’ll breeze through in one day. The online gameplay also promises gamers hours of additional gameplay and you and your mates can battle out to see who’s the better hacker… in the game, that is.
Aesthetically, the game is absolutely stunning and it features some of the most realistic looking graphics we’ve ever seen. The PC version of the game is certainly something to behold…
So where and when will it be available and on what platforms?
Watch_Dogs will be available in Ireland following its worldwide release on May 27.
The game will be released on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and later this year on Wii U. You’ll be able to pick up a copy, including certain special editions, in Smyths, GameStop, Xtra-Vision and Littlewoods Ireland, along with all good video game stockists nationwide.
Until then, here’s a look at the epic 14-minute gameplay trailer for Watch_Dogs.
Find out more about ‘Watch_Dogs’ on the official website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
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