Are We Legion? A Review of Watch Dogs: Legion
Democracy functions on the idea that each person in a society has an equal voice, the ability to contribute, and the capacity to create change. With Watch Dogs Legion, Ubisoft attempts to demonstrate the power of active democracy against the forces of corporatist fascism.
Watch Dogs Legion presents players with the overall task of reassembling the hacktivist group Dedsec, which we have known from previous Watch Dogs entries. In this iteration, Dedsec takes its aims at corporate paramilitary forces as well as data-mining tech companies and a local street gang. Since the game lacks a central main character, we do not see an individual’s growth, change, or impact. Watch Dogs Legion is certainly about being a part of a team, about being stronger together.
Want to be a plumber? Cool. An investment banker? Awesome. A living statue? All of these are possible, giving rise to Watch Dogs Legion’s most ambitious aim: the ability to play as any of the near-future Londoners. At times, there is an appeal to use different characters’ specific skills. Sending a professional hitman for a mission that involves neutralizing a target feels right. Using a uniformed police officer to steal evidence provides extra infiltration options. However, sending a construction worker with a cargo drone to complete nearly any task is often the most efficient, tempting strategy, breaking some of the game’s sense of immersion. In my initial hours with WDL, I meticulously scanned everyone searching for a new, useful skill or just learning about the people around me. After assembling a small team, I no longer see much of a benefit. There is a strong appeal in the mechanics of team-creation present, but in the end, it feels more like approaching greatness rather than reaching it.
Through my 20–30 hours in WDL, the character I never tired of is the city of London itself. After traversing Egypt’s deserts in Origins, Greece’s cliffs in Odyssey, and D.C.’s monuments in The Division 2, I once again felt amazed crawling through London’s pubs. The city is rich in its history. Sites like The Tower, London Bridge, Big Ben, Walkie-Talkie Building, and even Shakespeare’s Globe Theater find themselves dotted across London’s map. The recreation of London in WDL captures the atmosphere, charm, and bleakness of London. Ubisoft remarkably next-gen graphics with reflections in shop windows and puddles. So many puddles. Walking, driving, or even drone-flying through the city offers many of the games’ best moments.
In typical Ubisoft fashion, players will find their London map covered in fog that needs lifting and then with collectibles and side activities that need to be found. Collectible hunting and side quest chasing will take players through pubs, parks, and to many of London’s significant sites. Though some of these are fun — ultimately it feels we could’ve used less. There are only so many times we can do the same task and feel that it is little more than a chore.
At its core, Watch Dogs Legion is a fun, good game. It is ambitious in its attempt, smooth in its gameplay, and beautiful in its atmosphere. Holding this game back from greatness is its somewhat disjointed story and repetitive quests in the mid-late game.
