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Watch_Dogs® 2 similar games & best alternatives

Watch_Dogs® 2

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2016

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Quick resume

Welcome to San Francisco. Play as Marcus, a brilliant young hacker, and join the most notorious hacker group, DedSec. Your objective: execute the biggest hack of history.

Global score

83/100

Genres

Action, Adventure

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging and creative hacking gameplay
    • Vibrant and detailed open world of san francisco
    • Extensive character customization
    • Good multiplayer and co-op modes
    • Varied mission approaches and side activities

    Cons

    • Story is light and sometimes cringy
    • Vehicle handling and physics could be improved
    • Optimization issues on some pc setups
    • Limited depth in multiplayer community
    • Some repetitive mission structures

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to choose playstyle, use various hacking tools, and approach missions creatively with multiple options."

    • Competence
      3

      "Game offers skill-based stealth, hacking puzzles, and combat mechanics with progression and feedback, though some aspects are easier or less challenging."

    • Competition
      2

      "Includes multiplayer modes with PvP and bounty hunting, but many players focus on singleplayer or cooperative play without heavy competitive pressure."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Many players report long playtimes, side missions, collectibles, and multiplayer content encourage extended engagement."

    • Cooperation
      3

      "Supports co-op missions and multiplayer modes where players work together, though some find coop content limited."

    • Creativity
      4

      "Strong emphasis on creative problem solving using hacking tools, drones, and gadgets to complete objectives in multiple ways."

    • Domination
      -3

      "Interactions emphasize teamwork and shared goals rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players enjoy immersive open world, exploration, and distraction from real life through vibrant city and hacking fantasy."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Encourages trying different hacking methods, gadgets, and mission approaches to find novel solutions."

    • Exploration
      4

      "Open world encourages discovery of landmarks, collectibles, and hidden secrets in a detailed San Francisco setting."

    • Expression
      4

      "Extensive character customization, clothing, vehicle skins, and gadget personalization allow self-expression."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Fictionalized hacking and exaggerated tech elements create an imaginative, stylized experience."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Players feel part of a hacker community (DedSec) and can interact socially in multiplayer modes."

    • Growth
      3

      "Skill trees, upgrades, and learning new hacking abilities provide personal development opportunities."

    • Health
      -5

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires active attention and engagement during missions and exploration; not designed for idle play."

    • Intimacy
      1

      "Some social interaction with NPCs and multiplayer friends, but limited deep emotional connections."

    • Leadership
      1

      "Players can lead in cooperative missions but mostly participate equally without strong leadership roles."

    • Progression
      4

      "Collecting research points, money, and upgrades drives progression and unlocks new skills and gear."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Generally balanced gameplay with moments of flow, though some missions and police chases add tension."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Vibrant visuals, dynamic city life, and varied soundtracks provide stimulating sensory experience."

    • Status
      1

      "Some recognition through multiplayer modes and follower counts, but mostly individual-focused gameplay."

    • Story
      1

      "Story is lighthearted and less serious than predecessor; some players find it enjoyable, others find it weak."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Missions require planning, stealth, and tactical use of hacking tools and gadgets."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Police chases and stealth encounters provide moments of suspense and excitement."

    • Value
      3

      "Many players find good value especially when purchased on sale, with extensive content and replayability."

    • Violence
      -2

      "Game encourages non-lethal approaches and hacking over direct violence; combat exists but is not glorified."

    • Survival
      1

      "Some survival elements in avoiding detection and police, but overall low-risk compared to hardcore survival games."

    Last update: 29/04/2026