Watch Dogs 2 gameplay video features hacking, driving, and bounties

The first “open world, free-roam” Watch Dogs 2 gameplay video sends heavily-armed Mr Robot wannabe Marcus Holloway through a “small slice” of the San Francisco Bay area, showcasing the game's hacking, driving, drones, various customization options, and other in-game activities.   

On this showing I can't say I'm entirely enamored with the “magic hacker box” Marcus carries with him, but the city looks great, and there's clearly a lot to do. It's also interesting to learn that Ubisoft Reflections, the UK-based studio that created the Driver series, was brought in to help improve the driving game in Watch Dogs 2, something narrator Colin Graham says was a priority after the release of the original.   

The trailer also demonstrates some online multiplayer action, and reveals a bit more about the Bounty Hunter mode that was announced last week. Players being chased by police are also subject to “bounty events,” until the “felony event” they're caught up in—that is, the police pursuit—comes to an end. 

“A bounty event allows up to three other online players to join the pursuit and try to kill the player for as long as the felony lasts,” Graham explains. “Bounties are a seamless PvP event that are triggered by your player style and how you interact with the police. If you are the type of player who's always in conflict with police, you'll have a higher chance of having a bounty placed on you."

Watch Dogs 2 comes out on November 15. We've got a hands-on for you right here.
 

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.

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