Watch Dogs 2

Watch Dogs 2 is an action-adventure, open-world game developed by Ubisoft Montreal (with additional support from other Ubisoft studios) and published by Ubisoft.

The PC version was released on November 29, 2016.

In the game you play as a hacker named Marcus Holloway. He joins the hacker group DedSec to fight against a powerful surveillance system (ctOS 2.0) and attempt to expose corruption in a fictionalized version of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The gameplay is open-world, third-person, and offers a variety of playstyles: hacking, stealth, driving/vehicles, on-foot exploration, combat, and mission-based story progression — plus optional multiplayer/co-op modes for those who want to play with others.

Reception & Rating

• On its PC store page, user reviews are overwhelmingly positive: the overall user rating is “Very Positive” based on tens of thousands of reviews.
• Critically, the game was well-received: reviewers and players praised its vibrant open world, improved mechanics (especially hacking and driving), engaging setting and characters, and the flexibility of how missions can be approached (stealth/hacking/combative).
• Some criticisms often mentioned: occasional technical issues or performance problems on lower-end hardware at launch, as well as glitches for certain players. Over time many of these have been patched or mitigated.

In short: Watch Dogs 2 is considered among the stronger open-world action/hacking games on PC — especially if your hardware meets recommended specs.

System Requirements

Minimum System Requirement

• OS: 64-bit Windows 7 SP1 / 8.1 / 10 (or newer)
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2400S @ 2.5 GHz or AMD FX-6120 @ 3.5 GHz
• RAM: 6 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 (2 GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon HD 7870 (2 GB VRAM) — or better
  Storage: at least ~27 GB free space (though 50 GB recommended for full install + updates/patches)
• Additional: DirectX-compatible sound, broadband internet for activation, 64-bit OS only.

Recommended System Requirement

• OS: 64-bit Windows 7 SP1 / 8.1 / 10 (or newer)
• CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 @ 3.2 GHz or AMD FX-8120 @ 3.9 GHz
• RAM: 8 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 / GTX 970 / GTX 1060 (3 GB+ VRAM) or AMD Radeon R9 290 (4 GB+ VRAM) or better
• Storage: ~50 GB free space recommended (for base + updates/high-res textures)
• Input: keyboard & mouse or supported controller (e.g. Xbox One / DualShock 4).

Graphics & Settings: On PC, Watch Dogs 2 supports a wide range of graphics options — from low-end settings (for older/weak PCs) to “High/Very High/Ultra + extra effects” (for stronger PCs).

Installation & Launch Guide — Step by Step

If you’re planning to install and play Watch Dogs 2 on PC, here’s a general guide to help you get started smoothly:

1. Purchase / Obtain Legally — Get the game via a legitimate platform (e.g. Steam, Ubisoft Store). The game requires a valid license.
2. Ensure OS & Drivers are Updated — Use a 64-bit version of Windows (Windows 7 SP1, 8.1 or 10+), and update your GPU drivers (NVIDIA or AMD). This ensures better performance and fewer bugs.
3. Install the Game — Make sure you have enough free storage (50 GB recommended). Then install via the store or setup.
4. First-time Activation & Online Requirements — On first launch, the game needs online activation (because of DRM / anti-tamper / anti-cheat systems). Once activated, single-player mode works offline, but online/multiplayer requires internet.
5. Configure Graphics Settings Based on Your PC — If your PC meets only minimum requirements, choose lower settings. If you have good hardware (as per recommended), you can enable higher graphics, better effects, etc., for optimal visuals.
6. Optional: Use a Controller — If preferred, you can play with a controller (e.g. Xbox One, DualShock 4) in place of keyboard + mouse.

Is It Worth Playing (in 2025)?

If your PC meets the recommended specs (or better), Watch Dogs 2 remains a very solid and enjoyable open-world hacking/adventure game — with a rich setting, flexible gameplay, and strong replay value. Its blend of hacking, stealth, driving, and open world exploration still holds up well even years after the original release.

If your PC is older or barely meets the minimum, you can still play — but expect to lower graphics settings, maybe face some performance hiccups, and trade off visual fidelity for smoother play.