Watch Dogs, an action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft, has garnered significant attention for its engaging storyline, immersive gameplay, and the vast open world it offers players to explore. One of the most common questions among gamers and potential buyers is how long it takes to finish the game. The completion time can vary significantly based on several factors, including the player’s skill level, the level of difficulty chosen, and how thoroughly they wish to explore the game’s world and complete its side missions. In this article, we will delve into the details of Watch Dogs, exploring its main storyline, side quests, and other activities that contribute to its overall completion time.
Introduction to Watch Dogs
Watch Dogs is set in a fictionalized version of Chicago, where players take on the role of Aiden Pearce, a highly skilled hacker seeking revenge for the death of his niece. The game is known for its innovative hacking mechanics, allowing players to control various electronic devices and systems throughout the city, from traffic lights and security cameras to personal data and bank accounts. This unique feature adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, enabling players to approach missions and challenges in a variety of creative ways.
Main Storyline Completion Time
The main storyline of Watch Dogs is the core component of the game, driving the player’s progression and character development. The time it takes to complete the main story can vary, but on average, it requires around 20 to 30 hours of gameplay. This timeframe can be shorter for experienced players who focus solely on the main missions and longer for those who take their time to explore the city and engage with side activities. The storyline is engaging and full of twists, keeping players invested in Aiden’s journey and the mysteries surrounding his niece’s death.
Side Quests and Activities
Beyond the main storyline, Watch Dogs offers a plethora of side quests and activities that significantly extend the game’s completion time. These include:
- Side Missions: These are smaller, optional quests that provide additional backstory, characters, and rewards. Completing all side missions can add an extra 10 to 20 hours to the gameplay.
- Collectibles: Scattered throughout the city are various collectibles, such as audio recordings and hidden items, which can reveal more about the game’s world and characters. Collecting all of these can take 5 to 10 hours, depending on how diligently the player searches.
- Profiling and Hacking: The game encourages players to profile and hack civilians to uncover their secrets and earn money. While not necessary for completion, this activity can be time-consuming and addictive.
Game Modes and Difficulty Levels
The completion time of Watch Dogs can also be influenced by the game mode and difficulty level chosen by the player. The game offers several difficulty levels, ranging from Easy to Hardcore. Playing on higher difficulty levels can significantly increase the time it takes to complete the game, as players will need to be more strategic and cautious in their approach to missions and combat.
Online Multiplayer
Watch Dogs features an innovative online multiplayer mode, where players can invade each other’s games, engaging in a form of cat-and-mouse gameplay. This mode can add countless hours to the game, as players compete and cooperate in various challenges and missions. The multiplayer aspect of Watch Dogs is a significant factor for players who enjoy competitive or cooperative gameplay, extending the game’s replay value and overall completion time.
Impact on Completion Time
The inclusion of online multiplayer and the variety of game modes mean that the total completion time for Watch Dogs can vary widely. For players who delve deep into the multiplayer mode and aim to complete all side quests and collectibles, the total gameplay time can easily exceed 60 to 80 hours. This makes Watch Dogs a game that offers considerable value in terms of gameplay hours per dollar spent, especially for players who enjoy exploring every aspect of a game’s world and mechanics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the time it takes to finish Watch Dogs depends on a multitude of factors, including the player’s level of engagement with the game’s world, the difficulty level chosen, and the amount of time spent on side quests and multiplayer mode. For players looking to complete the main storyline, 20 to 30 hours is a reasonable estimate. However, for those who wish to explore every nook and cranny of the game, including all side missions, collectibles, and multiplayer activities, the completion time can extend to 60 hours or more. Watch Dogs is a game that offers something for everyone, from a gripping main storyline to a richly detailed open world and engaging multiplayer mode, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of action-adventure games.
What is the average completion time for Watch Dogs?
The average completion time for Watch Dogs can vary depending on the player’s skill level and playing style. However, according to various sources, including HowLongToBeat, a website that estimates game completion times, the average completion time for Watch Dogs is around 40-50 hours. This includes completing the main storyline, side missions, and some of the optional activities. Players who want to complete every aspect of the game, including all side missions, collectibles, and achievements, can expect to spend upwards of 80-100 hours playing the game.
It’s worth noting that the completion time can also depend on the player’s level of exploration and experimentation. Watch Dogs features a large open world, and players who want to explore every nook and cranny, try out different hacking techniques, and experiment with different gameplay mechanics can expect to spend more time playing the game. Additionally, players who want to complete the game on higher difficulty levels or with specific challenges can also expect to spend more time playing. Overall, the average completion time for Watch Dogs is a good estimate, but it can vary significantly depending on the player’s approach to the game.
How long does it take to complete the main storyline in Watch Dogs?
The main storyline in Watch Dogs can be completed in around 20-30 hours, depending on the player’s skill level and playing style. This includes completing all the main missions and story-driven quests. The main storyline follows the protagonist, Aiden Pearce, as he seeks revenge against those who killed his niece and uncovers a conspiracy involving corrupt government officials and corporate executives. The storyline is engaging and well-paced, with a mix of action, stealth, and hacking gameplay.
Completing the main storyline is just the beginning, as there are many side missions, optional activities, and collectibles to discover in the game. Players who want to experience everything the game has to offer can expect to spend many more hours playing. The main storyline provides a solid foundation for the game’s narrative and gameplay mechanics, and completing it is a good starting point for players who want to explore the rest of the game. Additionally, completing the main storyline can also unlock new abilities and upgrades, making it easier to complete side missions and other activities.
What are the different types of completion times for Watch Dogs?
There are several types of completion times for Watch Dogs, including completion time for the main storyline, completion time for the main storyline plus extras, and 100% completion time. The main storyline completion time refers to the time it takes to complete all the main missions and story-driven quests. The main storyline plus extras completion time includes completing the main storyline, side missions, and some of the optional activities. The 100% completion time refers to the time it takes to complete every aspect of the game, including all side missions, collectibles, and achievements.
Each type of completion time provides a different level of challenge and satisfaction. Completing the main storyline provides a sense of accomplishment and completion, while completing the main storyline plus extras provides a more comprehensive experience. 100% completion time, on the other hand, requires a significant amount of time and effort, but provides the ultimate sense of satisfaction and completion. Players can choose the type of completion time that suits their playing style and goals, and can always come back to the game to complete more activities and achievements.
How do player choices affect the completion time of Watch Dogs?
Player choices can significantly affect the completion time of Watch Dogs. The game features a dynamic storyline with multiple branching paths, and player choices can influence the outcome of missions and the overall narrative. Players who make choices that lead to more conflict and action can expect to spend more time playing the game, as they will have to complete more missions and fight against tougher enemies. On the other hand, players who make choices that lead to more stealth and strategy can expect to spend less time playing, as they will be able to complete missions more quickly and with less resistance.
Additionally, player choices can also affect the level of difficulty and the number of side missions and optional activities available. Players who make choices that unlock more side missions and activities can expect to spend more time playing, as they will have to complete these additional tasks. Players who make choices that lead to a more focused narrative can expect to spend less time playing, as they will have fewer side missions and activities to complete. Overall, player choices can significantly impact the completion time of Watch Dogs, and players should be aware of the consequences of their choices as they play through the game.
Can completion time be affected by the player’s skill level?
Yes, the player’s skill level can significantly affect the completion time of Watch Dogs. Players who are more skilled and experienced can expect to complete the game more quickly, as they will be able to complete missions and defeat enemies more efficiently. On the other hand, players who are less skilled and experienced can expect to spend more time playing, as they will have to retry missions and learn from their mistakes. The game’s difficulty level can also be adjusted to suit the player’s skill level, with easier difficulty levels providing more assistance and harder difficulty levels providing more challenge.
The player’s skill level can also affect the completion time of specific missions and activities. For example, players who are skilled at hacking can expect to complete hacking-related missions more quickly, while players who are skilled at combat can expect to complete action-oriented missions more quickly. Additionally, players who are skilled at exploration and navigation can expect to complete missions that involve exploring the game’s open world more quickly. Overall, the player’s skill level can have a significant impact on the completion time of Watch Dogs, and players should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses as they play through the game.
Are there any tips or strategies for completing Watch Dogs quickly?
Yes, there are several tips and strategies for completing Watch Dogs quickly. One of the most effective strategies is to focus on completing the main storyline first, and then going back to complete side missions and optional activities. This approach allows players to experience the game’s narrative and gameplay mechanics in a linear fashion, and then provides the opportunity to explore and complete additional content. Another strategy is to use the game’s hacking mechanics to complete missions more efficiently, such as by hacking cameras and alarms to avoid detection.
Additionally, players can use the game’s skill tree system to upgrade their abilities and improve their performance. For example, players can upgrade their hacking skills to complete hacking-related missions more quickly, or upgrade their combat skills to complete action-oriented missions more quickly. Players can also use the game’s fast travel system to quickly move around the game’s open world, and can use the game’s checkpoint system to retry missions and activities without losing progress. Overall, there are many tips and strategies for completing Watch Dogs quickly, and players should experiment with different approaches to find what works best for them.
How does the completion time of Watch Dogs compare to other open-world games?
The completion time of Watch Dogs is comparable to other open-world games, such as Grand Theft Auto V and Assassin’s Creed. These games all feature large open worlds, complex narratives, and a wide range of activities and missions to complete. The completion time for these games can range from 40-100 hours, depending on the player’s level of engagement and completionism. Watch Dogs is similar in scope and scale to these games, and players who enjoy open-world games can expect to spend a similar amount of time playing.
However, the completion time of Watch Dogs can also be affected by its unique gameplay mechanics and features, such as the hacking system and the dynamic storyline. These features can add a new layer of complexity and depth to the game, and can provide players with a more immersive and engaging experience. Additionally, the game’s open world is set in a fictional version of Chicago, which provides a unique and interesting environment to explore. Overall, the completion time of Watch Dogs is comparable to other open-world games, but its unique features and gameplay mechanics set it apart and provide a distinct gaming experience.