Uh yeah, infinite ammo stun gun (short range + long reload time), stun mines, melee attacks, most hackable items.
-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
Watch_Dogs 2 |OT| .HTML
- Thread starter Disgraced
- Start date
Uh yeah, infinite ammo stun gun (short range + long reload time), stun mines, melee attacks, most hackable items.
GinoFelino
Member
So now that the honeymoon period should be over, what's the verdict?
Instant open-world classic/must-play or 'just' a really entertaining time sink?
Looking to maybe get this, so I'm curious.
Instant open-world classic/must-play or 'just' a really entertaining time sink?
Or maybe you think it sucks, that's fine too
Looking to maybe get this, so I'm curious.
It's the latter, but I don't mean that to say the game is bad. But it's really hard for any non Rockstar game to claim that kind of mantle these days. There's nothing unique or must experience about this game. It's just fine.
GinoFelino
Member
What brings it down in your opinion?
Wind's Howling
Member
It is definitely worth playing.
Do not expect GTA V in terms of production values but it is definitely a lot of fun to explore the world because the map is made in such a way that you actually get awarded for exploring; unlocking items, gaining followers and research points etc.
The humor is something that you have to like. There are a lot of geeky phrases and lines from popular movies/series.
It's not that there's anything that brings it down so much as there's nothing about it that makes me go wow. Graphics are good, not mind blowing. Soundtrack makes an impact, but isn't endlessly memorable. Characters are likable but I'm not emotionally attached.
I do have a few pet peeves about the more open gameplay of this compared to the predecessor. That's a personal thing more than a criticism. MGSV had the same issue for me where I felt the price of more freedom in gameplay led to less interesting/challenging design overall.
Competently made but that X factor is lacking.
EDIT: Oh lack of invasions currently is a huge negative, that was one of the best parts of the original
Kölsch Bloot
Member
TBH I don't think GTA V (only R* I've played) fits into the "classic/must play" category either.
GinoFelino
Member
Thanks for the replies. I'd mostly get this as a showcase for Pro and because I like the artistry that goes into making open worlds like this.
Does it quickly get repetitive to explore or does it stay fun?
Does it quickly get repetitive to explore or does it stay fun?
Equanimity
Member
This will vary depending on who you ask, but I'm personally enjoying it quite a bit. I have been to San Francisco and the Bay Area (mainly Mountain View wheee my brother used to live) twice so going around the city and finding spots you recognize helps a lot. There are not a ton of places to enter but still enough to not get repetitive, and otherwise there are a lot of landmarks and whatnot.
Exploration-wise I think most people will agree that the city is pretty well made. Some people don't like the small amount of people walking on the streets and few cars in some instances, but I don't think it's bad enough to put you off.
Its OK, maybe a 6 or 7. The world is detailed, characters are good and story up to where i am is cool. But just to compare it to something recent, I liked mafia three alot more and id classify Mafia 3 as an entertaining time sink this game just isnt that fun moment to moment but WD2 is an improvement to WD1.
SJRB
Gold Member
Yo, the
sidemission was some dark shit.
It's kinda amazing how the game has been steering away from the more serious stuff like this. In fact, it's been so "casual" that his mission kinda feels out of place. Especially when literally the mission after this is a "lol let's go troll some dude by making a fail video" mission.
pedophile
It's kinda amazing how the game has been steering away from the more serious stuff like this. In fact, it's been so "casual" that his mission kinda feels out of place. Especially when literally the mission after this is a "lol let's go troll some dude by making a fail video" mission.
Equanimity
Member
The mission structure alone places Mafia 3 among the most boring/repetitive AAA games this year.
Watch Dogs 2 is the Assassins Creed 2 of this gen, in my opinion.
Game kind of has the opposite problem to WD1.
Aiden was so dour about everything it made sense when he went after a human trafficking ring or serial killer or whatever, but it sucked any joy out of the game. Here they're so light hearted it's weird when there's death and darkness. It's hard to take them seriously when they're drinking and doing drugs, and then they're like "we're awake from a bender, we have principles to defend!"
Opinions and all that, but you cant tell me you prefer the combat/action or driving or even character movement in WD 2 to Mafia 3?
Like others have said, I feel like people are gonna vary on their feelings about this. I'm a huge fan of compelling worlds to explore, both open and not (I know from the Dishonored 2 threads that both you and I are huge fans of that game, largely because of the amazing level design), and I feel like the bay area presented here is good, but it doesn't transcend to greatness. It's certainly much, much better than the Chicago in the first game (and what a huge bummer that was given that I live in Chicago and would love to see a great video game version of my city... come on Rockstar...), but it's nowhere near a Rockstar open world. Because of that it's a decent place to explore, but it doesn't really compel me to walk around and take in the scenery.
That's sort of my problem with Watch Dogs 2 as a whole: it does a lot of stuff very competently but it doesn't do anything amazingly. For me that's a bit of a problem, as if a game doesn't really wow me with something, I tend to drift away from it quickly. Case in point, I just bought the game yesterday, but I spent tonight playing Overwatch instead. Contrast that with Dishonored 2 where I played the fuck out of that game to the expense of pretty much everything else until I beat it.
I'll play more Watch Dogs 2, but this isn't the kind of game I can't stop thinking about at work.
Kölsch Bloot
Member
Driving sucks in both. But Mafia is a bit better though.
Movement goes to WD2 easily.
Combat: yet to use in WD2. I'm a h@xxor, remember?
Certinty
Member
Driving sucks in Mafia 3? Have you tried the realistic option in the settings. It's the best driving of any open world sandbox game by a long way for me at least.
Combat is also far better in Mafia 3, gunplay is amazing in that. I agree with movement though, it's far better in Watch Dogs 2.
Net_Wrecker
Member
Core mechanics are absolutely more satisfying in Mafia 3, but they're not enough to drown out the host of other issues in that game. In a genre where even the top dog (Rockstar) is given a pass for a ton of different annoying idiosyncrasies, you won't win many arguments with Mafia 3.
At the same time, my perspective on this is different than most since I came out of GTAV not that impressed beyond the world design/detail, so I don't really have an "OMG AMAZING" open world action game that I place above everything. Each of these games do a few things really well, and drop the ball hard in other areas.
________________________________________
This is the 2nd time I've read criticism for Mafia 3's driving in this thread. Drugs are bad.
Kölsch Bloot
Member
Why am I only hearing about this realistic option now?
Mafia 3's gunplay ia amazing indeed. But again: I haven't tried it in WD2 yet, and no intention in doing so.
Opus Angelorum
Member
I think people are willing to accept the driving and combat isn't quite up to scratch, but have been much more engaged by the fun and interesting characters, story and missions.
More towards the second IMO, I do like the game a lot though.
It's kind of weird given I was pretty high on watch dogs 1 but I'm not sure if this one is actually better, yes the characters, story and world see all better, I do miss a lot of things about wd1 eg digital trips, gang hideouts (the ones in 2 pale in comparison) and focus during driving on the other hand the rc jumper is great, I love the stun gun, open world is improved ...... 🤔🤔🤔
GinoFelino
Member
Thanks for the helpful comparison to D2
Surprised to see such a mixed response overall. I thought WD2 would be a big crowdpleaser, judging from media reviews.
Guess I'll pass for now...? I'm trading in Titanfall 2 for *something*, so I'll probably just get ROTTR instead
Thanks for the helpful comparison to D2
Surprised to see such a mixed response overall. I thought WD2 would be a big crowdpleaser, judging from media reviews.
Guess I'll pass for now...? I'm trading in Titanfall 2 for *something*, so I'll probably just get ROTTR instead
ROTTR is a great call! If you liked the first one, you'll almost certainly love the second.
GinoFelino
Member
More of an oldschool Tomb Raider guy myself, but I did like the first one. And it looks to be a great PS4 Pro showcase, so
Honestly I find the driving in Mafia 3 to be pretty bad even on realistic. Cars swing all over the place.
The driving isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be since I was expecting something super horrid based on what I've heard about the first and this game. But it definitely isn't wonderful. The cars react to easily to turning. It takes some getting used to but I guess without drifting it makes the turns relatively easy at higher speeds.
matrix-cat
Member
So can you keep playing after the final mission? I'd assume so, but I want to be sure. The game pops up a "This is the final mission, do you really want to continue?" tooltip when you're about to start the mission.
FarFromAnyGame
Banned
Always-honest
Banned
More of an oldschool Tomb Raider guy myself, but I did like the first one. And it looks to be a great PS4 Pro showcase, so
Playing it now. It's a really good game imo.
Though i also bought W_D2 .. ;P
FarFromAnyGame
Banned
I like TR but when it comes to combat and weapons, it's the worst.
Always-honest
Banned
Really, why? The weapons aren't as satisfying to use as in other shooters, and i'd like more melée options but i don't see a lot of wrong with it. I like making the explosive devices and headshotting with bow and arrow. You get more options the further you get in the game.
SentryDown
Member
Yes you can do everything left, the tooltip is a bit misleading,it's just to remind you to upgrade your skills & co (although their is no difficulty gap IMO)
matrix-cat
Member
Thanks, that's what I figured. I always get nervous when those 'point of no return' messages pop up
Thanks for the helpful comparison to D2
Surprised to see such a mixed response overall. I thought WD2 would be a big crowdpleaser, judging from media reviews.
Guess I'll pass for now...? I'm trading in Titanfall 2 for *something*, so I'll probably just get ROTTR instead
I don't even have WD2 and I sort of think you're making the wrong call here. RotTR is a solid game, I enjoyed it, but just like the first one it was very bland. Having watched a lot of videos of WD2 and read some of the stuff people were saying earlier in this thread, it sounds like an excellent game, and probably more straight up fun and engaging than RotTR.
Not to mention the reviews are almost on par with Dishonored 2 which is brilliant. I feel like you got a bum hand in terms of people giving you feedback on this page.
(I'm waiting for the PC version to drop, FYI.).
I'm wired the other way round i guess. I like the story and characters and i think the main missions are interesting so i'm still playing it but its all just window dressing if the minute to minute gameplay is weak.
In WD 2 I fast travel because the driving is not satisfying . I try to find a way not to enter combat because combat is meh. The game is larger than the sum of its parts though.
I really like the SF they built. Walking around and trying to get the research points with their environmental puzzles is fun. Also You are rewarded for exploration, which i think should be applauded.
Its just that i feel If im looking for ways not to play parts of the game, specifically the driving and fighting parts, which feature quite a bit, the devs might not have hit the mark.
Agreed.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a fun, well-designed action romp, but it's neither as varied nor mechanically interesting as WD2/Dishonored 2 (for my money, at least). And as far as taking advantage of your Pro - while Tomb Raider does feature more optimized performance (for now), I imagine Dishonored 2's stunning art design and WD2's overall vibrance serve as more impressive showcases for 4K.
MiamiWesker
Member
I'm only a few hours in so this is still early impressions but I feel they went backwards from WD1. WD1 was incredibly unique, first because it was the first time we had this hacking ability and it became a stealth version of GTA with cool powers.
But for me it was because of the incredible side quests and mini games that were so much better than anything in any open world game. Where else can you become a giant spider tank and attack the city? Or all of a sudden enter a carmaggedon mini game. The AR games were fun too. There was chess puzzles, drinking games, and the awesome QR puzzles. No after every mission I could just go off and do something entirely different and that is very important for me in open world games.
In WD2 they replaced all that with boring standard crap from every open world game. UBer driving? It's just a bunch of random car missions. Taking pictures of landmarks? One side quest has me just driving to hacking points and messing with people in an ATM. It's like we are back to chasing icons on a map.
Not having online up is the other huge issue as online stuff was part of the great variety of the first game and I am really missing it so far.
Yeah the city is better to explore. Now they put random shit to find with the hacker vision all over the place and the hack puzzles are outdoors now which is cool. The hack powers are better but so far it's mostly the same as WD1.
I feel this is a step back so far, no where close to the AC2 equivalent. You can't lose content and be a bigger game.
But for me it was because of the incredible side quests and mini games that were so much better than anything in any open world game. Where else can you become a giant spider tank and attack the city? Or all of a sudden enter a carmaggedon mini game. The AR games were fun too. There was chess puzzles, drinking games, and the awesome QR puzzles. No after every mission I could just go off and do something entirely different and that is very important for me in open world games.
In WD2 they replaced all that with boring standard crap from every open world game. UBer driving? It's just a bunch of random car missions. Taking pictures of landmarks? One side quest has me just driving to hacking points and messing with people in an ATM. It's like we are back to chasing icons on a map.
Not having online up is the other huge issue as online stuff was part of the great variety of the first game and I am really missing it so far.
Yeah the city is better to explore. Now they put random shit to find with the hacker vision all over the place and the hack puzzles are outdoors now which is cool. The hack powers are better but so far it's mostly the same as WD1.
I feel this is a step back so far, no where close to the AC2 equivalent. You can't lose content and be a bigger game.
GinoFelino
Member
Really... Thanks for the feedback!
Well, as has been well-documented, I adore Dishonored 2. No argument there.
WD2's tone appeals to me more than ROTTR does...I really don't like Grim Murderous Lara.
But ROTTR has a really vocal fanbase, and I haven't really seen anyone (on GAF/Twitter) get that excited about WD2. But that's all anecdotal, of course.
Guess I'll wait and see some more
Darryl M R
Member
Does anyone know how the pothole hack work when driving fast?
It is like Watch Dogs 1 but with Watch Dogs 2 I know I need to press the left bumper. Do I not need to press that when I get the prompt for a timed hack with potholes?
Also how do you attack in cars?
It is like Watch Dogs 1 but with Watch Dogs 2 I know I need to press the left bumper. Do I not need to press that when I get the prompt for a timed hack with potholes?
Also how do you attack in cars?
I dunno. I really like the game but something about it isn't clicking with me like the first game did. I don't think it was the novelty of a hackable world, as I replayed the first a couple months ago and still loved it.
I think a big part of it is the required physical hack stuff. I know they didn't want people to cheese the missions with the drone, but one of the best parts of the first game was using cameras and completing missions without going anywhere near the restricted areas. Hopper is way too easy to spot so that isn't the same.
Checkpointing in missions is atrocious.
The environmental puzzles are too samey. There's a 90% chance that if your objective is on a roof, there's a lift somewhere nearby. Say what you will about towers, but the first game made you think about how to solve them.
Shooting feels stiff. First game felt much smoother. The point someone else made about the camera being too zoomed out is accurate. Digital trips would have fit perfectly here so it's baffling why they're gone. Alone San Francisco would have been awesome, as well as the GOAT Spider Tank.
Writing and characters are much better, so there's that.
This guy gets it. No convoys + gang hideouts is a huge miss as well.
I think a big part of it is the required physical hack stuff. I know they didn't want people to cheese the missions with the drone, but one of the best parts of the first game was using cameras and completing missions without going anywhere near the restricted areas. Hopper is way too easy to spot so that isn't the same.
Checkpointing in missions is atrocious.
The environmental puzzles are too samey. There's a 90% chance that if your objective is on a roof, there's a lift somewhere nearby. Say what you will about towers, but the first game made you think about how to solve them.
Shooting feels stiff. First game felt much smoother. The point someone else made about the camera being too zoomed out is accurate. Digital trips would have fit perfectly here so it's baffling why they're gone. Alone San Francisco would have been awesome, as well as the GOAT Spider Tank.
Writing and characters are much better, so there's that.
This guy gets it. No convoys + gang hideouts is a huge miss as well.
Maybe you can attack with the top shoulder buttons instead of the lower ones when you are on foot?
MiamiWesker
Member
It's weird, it seems to me it's a mash on square promo that appears on the bottom of the screen, I've done it but I never see the slow motion reaction if I hit the pursuing car which was great in WD1. Driving and hacking generally seems messy in this game where in WD1 it was super easy.
Another step back.
Really... Thanks for the feedback!
Well, as has been well-documented, I adore Dishonored 2. No argument there.
WD2's tone appeals to me more than ROTTR does...I really don't like Grim Murderous Lara.
But ROTTR has a really vocal fanbase, and I haven't really seen anyone (on GAF/Twitter) get that excited about WD2. But that's all anecdotal, of course.
Guess I'll wait and see some more
Ah - I misread your post. Thought you were deciding between all three.
In that case, yeah - I'd wait. Keep in mind that people generally didn't like the first WD game, so it'll probably take a bit longer for the consensus to settle on just how good WD2 is. My guess based on my first few hours is that it might take a bit longer to build its audience, but once it does - it'll be just as vocal as RoTR. In the meantime, Tomb Raider is the perfect candidate for Black Friday-type deals if you live in a country that goes out for that sort of thing.
PS - it's worth mentioning that FF15 is just around the corner (if that's your cup of tea). It'll more than likely be a technical showcase for the Pro - though the actual quality of the game is still very much in the air.
GinoFelino
Member
Net_Wrecker
Member
The outdoor hacking puzzles are basically equivalent to the hacking mini-games + QR codes from the first game.
As for the Digital Trips and AR stuff, I think they did the right thing going away from those. The strengths of Watch_Dogs' gimmicks are in AI manipulation. If they're ever going to fully realize what this franchise can do, I don't think they should be wasting resources on intricate, instanced mini-games. If the trade off for this was the increase in dynamic pedestrian activity, it was well worth it.
The Driver SF App stands in for the vehicle fixer contracts.
No Gang Hideouts and Convoys definitely sucks. Those were the most dynamic parts of the first game, and really showed off what the combat was capable of. Tonally they don't fit here, but I wish there was something to fill that void.
The loss of small city games like chess, cards, and drinking contests is strange though.
Dr Duncan Steel
Member
So is there any way to do the Destroy ATMs missions without operating the forklifts?
Because let me tell you, forklifts should be banned from games forever. The physics are just too incompetent in this game to do well. Fuck that shit.
Because let me tell you, forklifts should be banned from games forever. The physics are just too incompetent in this game to do well. Fuck that shit.
Waylon Drums
Member
The Gang Hideouts were the best part of the first game by far. Even the situations that feel similar in this game are somehow worse. I loved screwing with bad guys and blowing up their grenades in 1 but in 2 it feels...weird. I don't know what it is that I don't like as much about it.
Similar threads
- Featured