Watch Dogs 2 Deals & Offers

Action-Adventure Game: Watch Dogs 2

Released in late 2016, Watch Dogs 2 was (unsurprisingly) a direct sequel to Ubisoft's Watch Dogs, and built on the original in almost every respect. Unusually for a first person action-adventure, the game makes hacking and strategy its core dynamic, although there's a healthy helping of violence in the in-game mechanics as well. Fusing some elements of Assassin's Creed with games like Grand Theft Auto, it has developed a loyal following among PS4, PC and Xbox gamers.

This buyer's guide will introduce the game itself and the main buying options, helping any gamers to launch their hacking career and master the ins and outs of one of the most sophisticated titles ever made.

Getting to Know the Watch Dogs Universe

Watch Dogs is a very contemporary gaming franchise. Probably seeing the rise of hackers and digital culture in general as a marketing opportunity, Ubisoft have created a series which does away with pure shooting and mass destruction. Instead, the Watch Dogs universe is a place where the hero needs to use their mental skills and experience with digital technology to liberate their fellow citizens from an oppressive cyber-state.

The Watch Dogs series kicked off in 2014 with the release of the first Watch Dogs instalment for Windows, Wii U, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. In the original title, players took on the role of Aiden Pearce, a citizen of Chicago in the not-so-distant future.

Pearce, a hacker and bank robber, becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue after a heist goes wrong, leading to the death of his young niece. In the process, Pearce discovers that organised criminals have hacked into what is known as the “centralised operating system” or CtOS – a key part of the series' gameplay dynamic.

The plot of the first title is as complex as they come, with kidnappings, blackmail and murders galore, but it boils down to Pearce fighting to shut down the CtOS, which he finds out has become an instrument of surveillance and oppression.

But it wasn't really the plot which grabbed the attention of gamers and critics. The original enjoyed a very warm reception due to its huge open game world which recreated Chicago skillfully, providing plenty of ways to get around and interact with non-player characters. And critics also praised the missions which blended combat, stealth and hacking, creating something new in the gaming world.

With so much success, it wasn't surprising to find Ubisoft set to work straight away on a sequel. Watch Dogs 2 was the result, and it debuted in late 2016.

This time around, the action has been moved to San Francisco and Aiden Pearce had left the scene. Now, players would take on the role of Marcus Holloway, a Bay Area hacker and member of a hacking community called dedSec. But seasoned Watch Dogs players will be familiar with Holloway's nemesis: a city-wide surveillance system called CtOS.

The sequel sees Holloway fighting to bring down a network which has the whole of San Francisco in its grip, compromising the innocent and protecting the powerful. And it's quite an experience.

Watch Dogs 2 Reviews: What Do the Critics Say?

Much like the original title, critics were broadly positive about Watch Dogs 2, welcoming the continuation of the hacking gameplay elements and lauding improvements to the graphics and the nuts and bolts of interacting with the in-game world.

For Trusted Reviews, Ubisoft had made great strides, creating far more amusing character interactions and absorbing missions, while creating one of the most immersive environments ever seen.

Gaming website IGN were very positive as well, praising the construction of its puzzles and the joy of exploring the Bay Area map and welcoming the more complex musings of Marcus Holloway compared to Aiden Pearce's more simplistic character. As with most reviewers, IGN also noted the wide range of tools and inventive ways to use them.

Even the conventional UK media were on board with the praise for Watch Dogs 2. For instance, the Guardian found that the whole experience was more approachable and enjoyable, applauding the writing for its humour and real world resonance.

If the critics had a major gripe, it may have been with the game's AI, which often failed to act in realistic ways, making stealth missions harder to achieve (forcing players into more violent solutions). But by and large, Watch Dogs 2 scored highly with almost every critic who rated it.

Official Watch Dogs 2 Trailer

Understanding the Gameplay in Watch Dogs 2

If you didn't play the original Watch Dogs, it's definitely worth getting to grips with the basic gameplay before making a purchase. With slightly offbeat mechanics and themes, it may not be to everyone's tastes.

Firstly, the action is built around a series of missions. These missions are divided into “main missions”, which propel the core story forwards, and “side missions” which aren't essential to completing the story. However, they are worth completing as they help Marcus to build his “followers”. The more followers he has, the better his hacking skills become, helping him influence the world in new ways.

These missions are diverse but usually involve some form of hacking (Marcus is a hacker, after all). And they move through a range of adversaries, from evil pharmaceutical companies to sinister social networks.

Aside from the main missions, you can also just choose to explore the Bay Area world as a freelancer, which might actually be the most enjoyable way to experience Watch Dogs 2.

Exploring the Watch Dogs world is a good way to get used to the in-game mechanics. For example, you can hack the smartphones of almost every character you pass (possibly earning some money in the process). And the more money you earn, the more weapons you can purchase to help complete later missions.

Throughout the action, Marcus “levels up” as in most adventures and, as he levels up, he can build up his skills. Skills need to be purchased with money or followers, and there's a huge range to accumulate. Examples include Botnet Upgrades, which massively improve Marcus' hacking abilities, the ability to take control of platforms and forklifts to access hard to reach areas, and vehicle hacking skills which provide access to almost all of the cars on the map.

Skills also include “social engineering” which lets you influence how other characters behave, “city disruption” which allows you to control urban infrastructure such as traffic lights, and “marksmanship” which improves Marcus' weapons skills.

You'll probably need those fighting skills, as many missions involve dispatching enemy characters, and you might also need the “tinkering” skills which help Marcus use techniques like 3D printing to create new weapons.

Mastering weapons, hacking and using vehicles will take players through Watch Dogs 2. But there's much more to experience. For one thing, Holloway can use parkour skills to explore the urban environment. He can find “collectibles” like special cars and outfits (and he can also upgrade his own look with hundreds of different styles). There's even a huge community of dogs to get to know – although it's not the core part of the gameplay.

Brief Trophy Guide for Watch Dogs 2 Newbies

Another key aspect of Watch Dogs 2 are trophies. These can be earned by completing every mission, but even then you won't accumulate all 56 of them. Some have to be earned by purchasing certain fashion items, others can be earned by taking cable car rides and petting 10 dogs even earns you a trophy. So there's a varied range of challenges to explore and you can find out about all them in a special Trophy guide.

Watch Dogs 2: Buying Options

If you'd like to experience the hacker lifestyle in Watch Dogs 2, there are numerous ways to get hold of the game, including:

• The Standard Edition – Consisting of just the game itself, the standard edition can be downloaded (for PC users) or purchased in CD form for PS4 and Xbox platforms. It comes with all of the missions and side missions as well as providing access to the Watch Dogs 2 multiplayer mode (see below for info about what else is needed to join the multiplayer action).

• The Deluxe Edition – The Deluxe version of Watch Dogs 2 comes with the main missions along with additional content that fans will love. Extra content includes unique vehicles, drones, clothing and weapons skin, making the game world more dynamic and customisable.

• The Gold Edition – The Gold edition has all of the extra content included with the Deluxe and Standard editions along with extra missions, extra multiplayer modes and a “psychedelic pack” which adds some creative vehicle skins and clothing. It also comes with a season pass for the multiplayer mode.

• Collectors Standard Edition – If you're really into Watch Dogs 2, the Collector's Edition is a must. Along with the game and all of the content that comes with the Standard Edition, it comes with a quirky Watch Dogs robot on wheels which speaks and responds to voice commands and can be controlled via a smartphone app – a really creative bit of extra content to go with the game.

• Collectors Deluxe Edition – Includes both the content bundled in with the Deluxe Edition and the Watch Dogs robot.

• Collectors Gold Edition – Again, comes with the core Watch Dogs 2 content included with the Gold Edition as well as the Watch Dogs controllable droid.

So there you have it. There are six different buying options for Watch Dogs 2, and they all have different price tags. The cheapest way to dive in via the Standard Edition, and you can expect price increases as you rise up the various editions. If you're a fan, you won't mind paying a bit extra, and with the deals available from HotUKDeals, money-saving is always possible.

Watch Dogs: Minimum Specs

If you purchase the Windows version of Watch Dogs 2, it might be handy to run through the minimum specifications, just to make sure that your system can handle it.

• Operating system: Windows 7 and upwards

• CPU: Intel Core i5-2400S at 2.5GHz or AMD FX 6120 at 3.5GHz

• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660

• RAM: 6GB and 2GB VRAM

• Disk space: 50GB

And the recommended specs:

• Operating system: Windows 7 and upwards

• Intel Core i5-3470 at 3.2GHz or AMD FX 8120 at 3.9GHz

• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780, 970 or 1060

• RAM: 8GB, 3GB VRAM

• Disk space: 50GB

How Do Watch Dogs 2 Season Passes Work?

When you search for Watch Dogs 2 deals online, you may well see offers for season passes. But what are they?

Season passes are time limited purchases which unlock extra content in the game. In Watch Dogs 2, this means purchasing access to many of the features which come with the Deluxe and Gold Editions such as unique vehicles, vehicle skins, clothing and weapons, as well as different cooperative play modes.

You don't need a season pass to play in multiplayer mode or to complete all of the missions. But if you're a keen Watch Dogs 2 player, you'll want all of the additional content. The thing is, it's sometimes cheaper to buy a more expensive edition than to buy the Standard Edition and a season pass separately. But this isn't always the case. Because of this, it makes sense to research current deals on HotUKDeals and compare the price of, say, the Deluxe Edition with the cost of the Standard Edition plus a season pass.

Are There Any Cheats For Watch Dogs 2?

As with all games, there are plenty of tricks and tactics that will help gamers succeed. There aren't many classic “cheats” which give infinite energy or extra weapons, but there are trophies (as discussed above). When you complete certain tasks, they unlock content which works just like a conventional cheat.

So, for example, if you manage to stop 10 criminal convoys, you'll be handed the “destroyer sniper rifle” and after foiling 20 crimes, you'll get hold of the chrome revolver. A full list of these “cheats” can be found on a GameSpot guide, and they can come in pretty handy if you're struggling to equip your character.

Additionally, if you're really stuck and want to complete a tricky mission, you can find an easy to follow walkthrough at IGN.

How Does the Multiplayer Mode Work in Watch Dogs 2?

One of the great things about Watch Dogs 2 is the multiplayer mode. Just as with the original title, you can play cooperatively and competitively for in-game cash and real world glory. There are a number of multiplayer modes to try:

• Seamless co-op – The main multiplayer mode, seamless co-op is available to all players regardless of what they have unlocked. In this mode, you have the chance to team up with friends and hack into San Francisco's infrastructure together.

• Bounty hunt – If you cause too much chaos in multiplayer mode, you may well trigger bounty hunt mode, when other players and AI-controlled police hunt you down. You can also team up with people who are being hunted and gain followers and cash by defending them. And if you prefer, you can participate as a hunter.

• Invasion – Even while you are exploring the Watch Dogs 2 world casually, at any time you could be subject to an “invasion” by another human player. Your opponent will be seeking to capture your data (and money), while you can defeat them and take theirs. But it's not easy to identify who they are with hundreds of AI-controlled civilians around.

• Racing – The driving aspect of Watch Dogs 2 has also been turned into an adrenaline-filled racing mode which takes place across the Bay Area map.

Can You Access Downloadable Content (DLC) for Watch Dogs 2?

Ubisoft haven't rested on their laurels, and plenty if DLC content has been made available.

• T-Bone Bundle – Available only for the PS4, this bundle introduced a vehicle from the original Watch Dogs that was driven by Raymond "T-Bone" Kenney, and added another multiplayer co-op mode.

• Human Conditions – Made available for the PC, PS4 and Xbox versions, the Human Conditions DLC pack added a series of new missions based around Big Pharma, and also added a new adversary class called “jammers” who can knock out your own electronics, leaving you much more vulnerable.

• No Compromise – Another pack released for all three platforms, No Compromise was as good as its name, with new missions themed around the adult entertainment industry, extra driving challenges, and new costumes for your character to wear.

• Root Access – Introduces a series of missions based around the Zodiac Killer story along with extra weapons and costumes.

• Psychedelic Pack – Added some amazing new vehicle and costume designs, making the whole gaming experience much more colourful.

Is Watch Dogs 2 Suitable for all Types of Gamer?

Before you buy Watch Dogs 2, it might help to know that it has a PEGI rating: 18, meaning that the UK and European gaming regulator has assessed it as suitable only for those aged 18 and above. That's probably due to the adult content in some missions and the high level of violence that players can witness, depending on how they choose to play. So it's probably not child-friendly.

Tips on Buying Watch Dogs 2

If you fancy trying your luck with CtOS and the bad guys of the Bay Area, Watch Dogs 2 could be the game for you. As we noted above, the game can cost more if you go for a Deluxe or Gold Edition and bundle in some DLC along the way. But you should be able to cut the cost by shopping intelligently.

First off, decide whether you want to buy the Standard Edition with DLC and a Season Pass, or you are going to go for a more expensive version. If you're a big fan of the franchise, the Collector's Edition may be worthwhile too, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

The game has been out since 2016, which is good news for people who are just coming to it. Because it's been around for a couple of years, there are some amazing deals for Watch Dogs 2 (at least for the basic editions), and you can build up the whole portfolio of DLC relatively cheaply.

Versions of the game for Windows PCs, Xbox One and PS4 systems should be available from major UK merchants like GAME, Amazon, CDKeys and even Ubisoft themselves, as well as Microsoft and the PlayStation Network.

If you really want to get the cheapest Watch Dogs 2 deals, you could also wait for major sales periods like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday/Cyber Monday in November. But, it's not an expensive title to pick up at most times of year, providing you know where to get the best deals.

Watch Dogs 2 Discounts at HotUKDeals

Watch Dogs 2 was one of 2016 and 2017's biggest titles, and it's still a great title to play through or for multiplayer battles. Available for PS4, Xbox One and PC, it offers a neat blend of strategy and action, with hours of gameplay to enjoy. Even better, it's not too expensive, especially if you take advantage of the Watch Dogs 2 discounts at HotUKDeals.