Watch Dogs: Legion

Watch Dogs: Legion is the third entry in the Watch Dogs series. It is a third-person action-adventure game featuring an open world, a futuristic London, parkour, combat, and more.

The game takes place roughly a decade from today and is a futuristic world in which the evolution of technology has created many societal problems, dislocated millions of jobs, and altered the face of the economy. You play as a justice-seeking member of DedSec, fighting against an evil hacker group that has framed your organization for a series of terrorist attacks that has caused a major shutdown of futuristic London. The game unquestionably has political overtones that apply today, including noting the perpetual balance of freedom versus safety and the dangers of an overmilitarized state.

One of the more unique features of this one is that almost every NPC is an opportunity. You can recruit each NPC to fight alongside you, within broader limitations created by the mission you are trying to complete. Each NPC has their own talents that can help you on each mission. This allows you to bounce between players, shifting in and out of their lives in order to complete missions. The feature can sometimes be overwhelming and disorienting, but eventually, you do get used to it. This does dramatically change your orientation and play experience, but largely for the better. 

This feature is reflected in how you play as the main characters, as well. You cannot build an all-powerful character as you can in other games. Instead, you are forced to think bigger: If you have a mission that requires players of a certain skill set, how can you recruit them into your team? Where can you find them and how can you integrate them into your overall mission profile and plan? Again, this requires a unique way of thinking compared to prior Watch Dog games and other open world experiences, but that's not a bad thing at all. 

The game features chapter formats in which you can play missions and expand the plot of the story. This adds a literal story-like feel to the game. There are a variety of side-questions, collectables, and areas to explore that can truly enhance your overall experience. 

A great example of this change is the variation of the leveling system. There is no leveling up characters. Instead, you can get upgrades that apply to all of your characters. Experienced players may pause at how this operates, but it still functions nicely for the game's overall aesthetic. This is an open world experience, but a very different one than what you are used to. 

The game is available on all major consoles, including computer, PlayStation 4, XBox One, and Stadia. It will be available on the next generation of consoles as well. Most commercial sites currently price the game at $30. 

PROS:

• The open-world nature of this game is enhanced and expanded.
• Futuristic London is gorgeous, inviting, and enthralling. The game's setting feels like a character unto itself. 
• Dozens of hours of playtime for people who truly want a long experience. 
• The NPC recruitment system is unique, enthralling and truly forces you to think differently. 

CONS:

• As beautiful as the game's setting is, lower-performing computers may not be able to handle all that the game has to offer.
• There are moments where the game fails to properly execute its massive system that allows you to play as any NPC, with lip-syncing stuttering and voices sounding overly modulated.