The Watch Dogs Conundrum: Should I Play Watch Dogs 1 Before Legion?

The Watch Dogs series has been a staple of the open-world gaming genre since its inception in 2014. With the release of Watch Dogs: Legion, fans of the series are once again presented with a dilemma: should I play Watch Dogs 1 before diving into the latest installment? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Watch Dogs and explore the pros and cons of playing the original game before jumping into Legion.

The Watch Dogs Series: A Brief Overview

Before we dive into the meat of the article, it’s essential to understand the Watch Dogs series and its progression. The franchise has grown significantly since its debut, with each installment building upon the last.

Watch Dogs, released in 2014, introduced players to Aiden Pearce, a vigilante seeking revenge in a cyberpunk Chicago. The game pioneered the concept of a “smart city” where everything is connected, and players could hack and control various devices to achieve their objectives.

Watch Dogs 2, released in 2016, took the series to San Francisco, introducing a new protagonist, Marcus Holloway, and expanding on the hacking mechanics. The game improved upon the original’s formula, offering a more vibrant open world and a stronger narrative focus.

Watch Dogs: Legion, the latest installment, takes a bold new approach, setting the game in a dystopian London and allowing players to control any NPC in the game world. This new direction has sparked debate among fans, with some wondering if playing the original Watch Dogs is necessary to fully appreciate Legion.

Arguments For Playing Watch Dogs 1 Before Legion

So, why should you consider playing Watch Dogs 1 before diving into Legion? Here are a few compelling reasons:

Understanding the Series’ Roots

Watch Dogs 1 is the foundation upon which the series is built. By playing the original, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the world, its mechanics, and the themes that Ubisoft has continued to explore throughout the franchise. You’ll be introduced to the concept of a “smart city” and how it serves as a central hub for the Watch Dogs universe.

Appreciating the Evolution of the Series

Playing Watch Dogs 1 will give you a better appreciation for how far the series has come. You’ll be able to see the improvements and refinements made in subsequent games, including Legion. This will allow you to better understand the design decisions made by the developers and appreciate the nuances of the latest installment.

Context for Legion’s Story

While Watch Dogs: Legion’s story is designed to be standalone, playing the original will provide context for the events that unfold in Legion. You’ll gain insight into the world’s progression, the rise of the DedSec movement, and the motivations behind the characters’ actions.

Arguments Against Playing Watch Dogs 1 Before Legion

On the other hand, there are some compelling reasons why you might not need to play Watch Dogs 1 before diving into Legion:

Legion is a Standalone Experience

Ubisoft has explicitly stated that Watch Dogs: Legion is designed to be a standalone experience. The game’s story is self-contained, and you don’t need to have played the previous games to understand what’s happening. This means you can jump straight into Legion without feeling lost or confused.

Time Constraints

Let’s face it: time is a precious commodity, and playing through the entire first game might not be feasible for everyone. If you’re short on time or have a backlog of games to play, diving straight into Legion might be the more practical choice.

Legion’s Improvements Outshine the Original

Watch Dogs: Legion has made significant improvements to the series’ formula, offering a more refined gameplay experience, a more engaging narrative, and a more immersive world. If you’re looking for the best representation of the Watch Dogs series, Legion might be the better choice.

The Verdict: Should You Play Watch Dogs 1 Before Legion?

So, should you play Watch Dogs 1 before Legion? The answer ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you’re a newcomer to the series, playing the original might provide valuable context and a deeper understanding of the world. However, if you’re short on time or looking for a more refined experience, diving straight into Legion might be the better choice.

A Compromise: Play Watch Dogs 2 Instead

If you’re unsure about committing to the original Watch Dogs, consider playing Watch Dogs 2 instead. This game serves as a bridge between the first and third installments, offering a more refined experience while still providing context for Legion’s story.

A Brief Summary

In conclusion, whether or not to play Watch Dogs 1 before Legion is a matter of personal choice. If you’re looking to understand the series’ roots, appreciate its evolution, and gain context for Legion’s story, playing the original might be the better choice. However, if you’re short on time or looking for a more refined experience, diving straight into Legion or playing Watch Dogs 2 instead might be the way to go.

In the end, the choice is yours. Will you take a trip down memory lane and play Watch Dogs 1, or will you dive straight into the world of Watch Dogs: Legion? The fate of London is in your hands.

Is it necessary to play Watch Dogs 1 before playing Watch Dogs: Legion?

Playing Watch Dogs 1 is not strictly necessary to understand or enjoy Watch Dogs: Legion. The game’s storyline is designed to be standalone, and Ubisoft has taken steps to ensure that new players can jump in without feeling lost. However, playing the original Watch Dogs can provide some context and background information that might enhance your experience in Legion.

That being said, if you’re short on time or not interested in playing the entire first game, you can still enjoy Legion without feeling like you’ve missed out. The game’s narrative is self-contained, and the developers have done a great job of making it accessible to new players. So, while playing Watch Dogs 1 might add some depth to your understanding of the series, it’s by no means a requirement to play Legion.

Will I miss out on key story elements if I don’t play Watch Dogs 1?

While Watch Dogs 1 does provide some background information on the world and characters of the series, the story of Watch Dogs: Legion is designed to be a standalone narrative. You won’t miss out on any key plot points or character developments by skipping the first game. Legion’s story is focused on the resistance’s fight against a corrupt government and a powerful corporation, and it doesn’t rely heavily on knowledge from the first game.

That being said, playing Watch Dogs 1 can provide some additional context and depth to the world and characters. You might appreciate some of the nods to the original game and the ways in which the series has evolved. However, this context is not essential to understanding or enjoying the story of Legion.

Are the gameplay mechanics and controls similar between Watch Dogs 1 and Legion?

The gameplay mechanics and controls of Watch Dogs 1 and Legion share some similarities, but they’ve also undergone significant changes. Both games feature an open-world environment and a focus on hacking and stealth, but Legion introduces some significant innovations, such as the ability to play as any NPC and a more emphasis on teamwork and strategy. If you’ve played Watch Dogs 1, you’ll need to adapt to some new mechanics and controls, but they’re generally intuitive and easy to learn.

The biggest change is probably the shift from a single protagonist to a system where you can play as any NPC. This adds a lot of replayability and flexibility to the game, but it also means you’ll need to get used to controlling different characters with different skills and abilities. Fortunately, the game does a great job of introducing these mechanics gradually, so you’ll have plenty of time to get comfortable with them.

How does the tone and atmosphere of Watch Dogs 1 compare to Legion?

The tone and atmosphere of Watch Dogs 1 and Legion are somewhat different. Watch Dogs 1 had a more personal, gritty tone, with a focus on the story of Aiden Pearce and his quest for revenge. Legion, on the other hand, has a more epic scope and a greater emphasis on action and spectacle. The game’s vision of a dystopian London is also more stylized and exaggerated, with a greater focus on humor and satire.

That being said, both games share a common concern with themes of surveillance, control, and the impact of technology on society. Legion might be more lighthearted and humorous, but it’s still a game that’s deeply concerned with the consequences of our actions and the importance of standing up against oppression. If you enjoyed the tone and atmosphere of Watch Dogs 1, you’ll likely find that Legion offers a fresh and exciting take on the series.

Will playing Watch Dogs 1 spoil some of the surprises in Legion?

Playing Watch Dogs 1 might spoil some of the surprises in Legion, but only to a limited extent. The games share some common characters and plot elements, but Legion’s story is designed to be a standalone narrative. You might recognize some characters or plot threads from the first game, but the surprises and twists in Legion are generally distinct and separate.

That being said, if you want to go into Legion completely fresh, you might want to avoid playing Watch Dogs 1 beforehand. Some of the surprises and reveals in Legion are more effective if you don’t already know the backstory and characters from the first game. However, this is a minor concern, and you can still enjoy Legion even if you’ve played Watch Dogs 1.

Is Watch Dogs 1 still worth playing in 2023?

Watch Dogs 1 is still a great game in 2023, but it has shown its age in some respects. The game’s graphics and gameplay mechanics were impressive for their time, but they’ve been surpassed by more recent games. The game’s story and characters still hold up well, but some of the mission design and level layouts might feel a bit dated.

That being said, Watch Dogs 1 is still a great game that’s worth playing, especially if you’re interested in the series or the themes of surveillance and control. The game’s vision of a dystopian Chicago is still compelling, and the gameplay is engaging and fun. If you can overlook some of the dated mechanics and graphics, you’ll find a game that’s still well worth playing.

Can I skip Watch Dogs 2 and go straight to Legion?

You can definitely skip Watch Dogs 2 and go straight to Legion if you’re not interested in playing the entire series. Watch Dogs 2 is a great game in its own right, but it’s not essential to understanding or enjoying Legion. The story of Legion is designed to be standalone, and you won’t miss out on any key plot points or character developments by skipping Watch Dogs 2.

That being said, Watch Dogs 2 does provide some additional context and depth to the world and characters of the series. If you’re interested in the series and want to get a better understanding of the characters and themes, playing Watch Dogs 2 can be a great way to do so. However, if you’re short on time or not interested in playing the entire series, you can still enjoy Legion without feeling like you’ve missed out.