"GTA 5 meets Splinter Cell" – open-world stealth game drops from $50 to $5 on Epic Games Store
Watch Dogs 2, developed by Ubisoft Montreal and released in November 2016, is an open-world action-adventure game centered around hacking, satire and social media culture. As the direct sequel to Watch Dogs, it enhances nearly every element of the original with a lighter tone, a more vibrant world and greater gameplay freedom.
The game takes place in a stylized version of the San Francisco Bay Area, featuring locations like Oakland, Silicon Valley, Marin County and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The story revolves around ctOS 2.0, an advanced operating system that controls infrastructure, devices and even personal data – a dream for corporations, a nightmare for privacy advocates. Players step into the shoes of Marcus Holloway, a gifted young hacker from Oakland who’s been wrongly flagged by the system. After being kicked out, he joins forces with the underground group DedSec to take on the corrupt powers behind the surveillance network.
Much like GTA 5, Watch Dogs 2 features an open world that encourages free exploration – whether on foot, by car, by boat or with hacked drones. Ubisoft puts a strong emphasis on player choice, letting you decide how to approach each mission. You can go in quietly and strategically, using remote-controlled gadgets or face challenges head-on. Fans of stealth gameplay will find shades of Splinter Cell here: with smart timing, distractions and clever use of drones and RC vehicles, it's possible to slip into heavily guarded buildings without raising an alarm.
In Watch Dogs 2, nearly every piece of tech becomes a tool – or a weapon – in the digital underground war. From traffic lights and cars to security cameras, smartphones, drones and even forklift trucks, everything can be hacked and repurposed. You're backed by remote-controlled RC vehicles and a drone, both ideal for stealthy operations. Rather than earning traditional experience points, progression is tied to social media followers – the more attention you attract, the more abilities you unlock.
Reviews: Strong gameplay meets tonal turbulence
The German gaming magazine GamePro describes Watch Dogs 2 as a blend of GTA 5 and Splinter Cell. It earned praise for its varied gameplay, which mixes open-world action with stealth and hacking elements – and can be surprisingly challenging at times. The editors also appreciated how the game tackles current issues like data misuse and mass surveillance.
Watch Dogs 2 faced some criticism for its clichéd character portrayals and uneven tone. According to GamePro, the game shifts between serious topics and a light, almost comedic style, which creates a somewhat inconsistent experience. The magazine still gave it a solid 80 out of 100. On Steam, the open-world adventure has around 75,000 reviews, with 82% of players giving it a thumbs up. Over on Metacritic, Watch Dogs 2 holds a Metascore of 75 and a user score of 7.0.
90% discount in the Epic Games Store
Watch Dogs 2 typically sells for around $50 on Epic and about $60 on Steam. However, until April 9, players can grab the hacker-themed open-world game for just $5 thanks to a 90% discount – a rare deal at this price point. According to SteamDB, the game is often on sale, but usually only at 85% off. The same offer is currently available in the Ubisoft Store as well.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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Image source: Steam
