Status:
Complete and Play Tested
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Watch Dogs: Legion (PS4) Review
🎮 Gameplay & Mechanics
Watch Dogs: Legion builds upon the hacking-centric formula of its predecessors but takes a bold new approach with its "Play as Anyone" mechanic. Rather than following a single protagonist, the game allows players to recruit and control nearly any NPC in London. Each operative comes with unique traitssome are skilled hackers, others might be former spies, construction workers, or even pensioners wielding tasers.
While the novelty of this system is impressive at first, it can feel shallow over time, as character abilities become repetitive and their personalities often lack depth. However, the core mechanicsstealth, remote hacking, and gunplayare still fun and rewarding, especially when paired with creative mission approaches.
🗺 World Design & Exploration
Set in a near-future dystopian London, the open world is dense, atmospheric, and filled with landmarks, side missions, and optional objectives. The city feels alive with protests, surveillance drones, and propaganda-spewing screenscreating an immersive and timely setting.
Traversal is varied, with options to drive, hack drones, or use construction worker cargo drones to fly. Driving mechanics remain serviceable but not a standout feature.
📘 Story & Narrative
Legion's main story revolves around a resistance group (DedSec) trying to dismantle an authoritarian regime and expose the mysterious Zero Day group. While the plot has moments of intrigue, it lacks the emotional weight of a central character arc, largely due to the rotating cast. The narrative impact is diluted because no single operative truly develops.
There are some standout missions and side stories, especially involving AI character Bagley, who serves as comic relief and emotional anchor.
👤 Character System & Customization
The recruitment system is a major focus. Each potential recruit has a backstory, routine, and set of traits (some useful, others humorous or risky). Operatives can be customized with outfits and equipment, and permadeath (optional) adds stakes to losing your best team members.
While the idea is ambitious, it sometimes results in voice acting mismatches or awkward dialogue due to the procedural nature of NPCs.
🎨 Graphics & Performance
Visually, the PS4 version delivers solid visuals but is clearly limited compared to its next-gen counterparts. London looks impressive with atmospheric lighting and dense urban detail, but occasional texture pop-ins and frame rate dips can disrupt immersion.
🔊 Sound & Voice Work
The soundtrack is a mix of moody electronic tunes and in-world radio music. Voice work is hit-or-miss due to the procedurally generated nature of dialogue, but the AI companion Bagley steals the show with dry wit and charm.
Pros
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Innovative Play as Anyone system
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Detailed and atmospheric London setting
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Flexible mission design with multiple approaches
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Bagley is a memorable and well-written AI companion
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Customization and optional permadeath enhance replayability
Cons
Shallow character development
Repetitive gameplay loops
Technical issues on PS4 (frame rate, loading times)
Story lacks emotional depth due to rotating cast
🏁 Final Verdict
Watch Dogs: Legion is a bold experiment that mostly succeeds. The freedom to build your own resistance from everyday citizens is unique and engaging, even if the execution doesnt always match the ambition. Despite some technical shortcomings and a somewhat hollow story, the game offers plenty of fun for players who enjoy creative, tech-driven gameplay in a dystopian sandbox.
Score: 7.5 / 10
Recommendation:
Worth playing for open-world and stealth-action fans
May not appeal to those who prefer strong central narratives or polished character development
