Watch Dogs®: Legion Review Summary

Visually stunning, detailed London: The game features impressive graphics, especially the detailed and vibrant recreation of London. The city's design, attention to detail, and atmosphere contribute significantly to an immersive open-world experience, making virtual exploration enjoyable.

Enjoyable and engaging story: The game features an enjoyable and engaging story with interesting missions and plot twists. The narrative keeps players invested, and the DLC content is often considered even better than the base game's storyline.

Recruit and play as anyone: A key feature is the ability to recruit almost any NPC in the game world. Each recruit possesses unique skills, backstories, and abilities, adding strategic depth and variety to gameplay, and making the city feel alive.

Improved, more diverse gameplay: The game introduces improved mechanics and more diverse gameplay compared to previous installments. Driving, combat, and mission approaches offer more variety, and the open world is richer with activities and secrets, enhancing the overall player experience.

Good Watch Dogs installment: The game is a good addition to the Watch Dogs series, with some reviewers finding it superior to previous installments. It offers a unique experience with a darker tone and improved graphics compared to Watch Dogs 2, appealing to fans of the franchise.

Downgrade from previous games: Many reviewers feel that the game is a significant downgrade compared to previous installments, particularly Watch Dogs 2. They cite missing features, a less engaging world, and a decline in overall quality. The game fails to capture the charm and innovation of its predecessors, leaving players disappointed.

Numerous bugs and frequent crashes: The game is plagued with numerous bugs and frequent crashes, some of which are game-breaking, leading to save file corruption and loss of progress. These technical issues significantly hinder the gameplay experience and make the game unstable, with some players reporting crashes every few minutes. The issues are further compounded by poor optimization, leading to inconsistent frame rates even on high-end PCs.

Simplified and reduced hacking: Hacking mechanics have been simplified and reduced compared to previous installments, limiting player options and creativity. The game lacks the depth and complexity of hacking found in earlier Watch Dogs titles, making it less engaging and more reliant on direct combat.

Poor driving and physics: Driving mechanics are poorly implemented, with cars described as having unrealistic handling and physics. Players report difficulty controlling vehicles, leading to frequent crashes and frustration. The game's physics, in general, are inconsistent and strange, further detracting from the overall experience.

Repetitive and monotonous gameplay: The game becomes repetitive quickly, with missions and gameplay loops that lack variety. Players report a sense of monotony and boredom after only a few hours of play. This repetitiveness diminishes the game's appeal and makes it difficult to maintain player interest.

Extensive hacking and gadget use: Hacking is a core gameplay element, allowing players to control drones, cameras, vehicles, and other devices to solve puzzles, infiltrate areas, and combat enemies. Players can approach missions with stealth, direct combat, or by utilizing hacking tools and gadgets. The cargo drone is a notable vehicle for traversal.

Gameplay and story are average: Some reviewers found the gameplay and story to be average or repetitive, with short missions and little impact from player choices. Some felt the game was not particularly fun or difficult.

Unique character abilities/perks: Recruited characters possess unique abilities and perks that can be useful in missions. However, some reviewers noted that many agents feel useless, and missions can be completed regardless of the agent used, diminishing the impact of character choice.

Near-future London setting: The game is set in a near-future London with advanced technology. The setting contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere.

Easy to learn, hard to master: The game's difficulty is generally considered easy to learn but hard to master. Permadeath is recommended for a more engaging experience.

Inconsistent and poor optimization: Many players report inconsistent performance, even on high-end hardware. Some experience smooth gameplay, while others encounter stuttering, frame drops, and freezes regardless of settings. Optimization is a widespread concern.

Frequent and disruptive game crashes: The game suffers from frequent crashes, sometimes occurring randomly or during specific actions like destroying drones or entering certain areas. These crashes disrupt gameplay and can be frustrating for players.

Frame rate drops in specific scenarios: Several players have reported frame rate instability during cutscenes, fast travel, and in busy areas. This can lead to stuttering and a less fluid gaming experience.

Large file size, long loading: The game demands a significant amount of storage space, exceeding 100GB. Additionally, some players report long loading times, even when the game is installed on an SSD.

Ubisoft Connect issues/requirement: The game requires the Ubisoft Connect launcher, which some players find inconvenient or problematic. Issues include launch failures and forced online logins even for offline play.

Buy only on deep sale: The game is frequently recommended only when on sale, often with a significant discount. Many reviewers feel the full price doesn't justify the experience due to technical issues, lack of polish, and repetitive gameplay. Some suggest waiting for deep discounts (70-90% off) or purchasing specific editions during sales.

Good for open-world chaos: The game is recommended for players who enjoy open-world games with a focus on hacking, experimentation, and causing chaos. The game's unique aspects may appeal to those seeking a novel experience within the genre. However, some reviewers note that the story, character development, and mission variety may not meet everyone's expectations.

Disappointment with Ubisoft: Several reviewers express disappointment with Ubisoft's handling of the game, citing a decline in quality and a loss of trust in the publisher. Some reviewers state they will reconsider purchasing Ubisoft games in the future. This point reflects a broader sentiment about the publisher's recent releases.

Resistance mode not recommended: Some reviewers advise against playing the main campaign in Resistance mode. It is recommended to create a separate save file before starting the Assassin's Creed mission.

Potential for gameplay improvements: Reviewers suggest improvements to voice acting, mission variety, shopping immersion, and weapon acquisition systems. The game's potential is heavily dependent on the player's willingness to explore and recruit diverse characters to experiment with different playstyles.

Immersive dystopian London setting: The game is set in a beautifully realized, near-future dystopian London. The setting blends futuristic elements with traditional aspects of the city, creating an immersive experience. One reviewer specifically enjoyed a virtual trip to England within the game.

Limited achievement/support concerns: The game lacked Steam achievements at launch, which was disappointing for some players who enjoy collecting them. While achievements were eventually added, Ubisoft's support is primarily focused on maintaining multiplayer servers, with limited attention to other aspects of the game.

Ubisoft's priorities questioned: Some reviewers feel that Ubisoft is prioritizing sales figures over game quality and optimization, leading to unresolved issues and a lack of passion in game development. They suggest the game's design caters to a broad audience, potentially sacrificing innovation.

Lengthy game experience: The game is considered to be long, with playtime around 12 hours. Some reviewers described it as a 'labor of love' by the developers.

Explores themes of corporate control: The game explores themes related to corporate control, big data, and the implications of unchecked technology, prompting reflection on privacy and societal issues. The audio fragments, particularly radio interviews, are well-crafted and contribute to the game's thematic depth.