Open-World Hacking Adventure

Watch Dogs 2 Wiki

Join Marcus Holloway and DedSec in an open-world adventure across the San Francisco Bay Area. Hack connected devices, scout with drones, and choose stealth or action to take on ctOS 2.0.

  • Launched Nov 15, 2016
  • Steam Achievement Update Feb 5, 2025
  • 2-Player Online Co-op
  • 4-Player Party Mode
  • 55 Steam Achievements

What is Watch Dogs 2?

Watch Dogs 2 is an open-world action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft Montreal. You play as Marcus Holloway, a hacker working with DedSec against the surveillance system ctOS 2.0 in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Connected devices, remote-controlled gadgets, vehicles, and upgradeable skills give you different ways to explore and complete objectives. Outside the single-player story, you can take on co-op missions or join multiplayer activities.

Browse guides
Marcus Holloway and three other DedSec members standing together in work overalls
  • Developer
    Ubisoft Montreal
  • Publisher
    Ubisoft
  • Platform
    PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Genre
    Open-World Action-Adventure
  • First Release
    November 15, 2016
  • Online Co-op
    2 Players
  • Party Mode
    Up to 4 Players
  • Steam Achievements
    55
  • Steam Supported Languages
    17
  • Platforms
    PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Genres
    Open-World Action-Adventure, Hacking
  • Players
    1–4
  • Modes
    Single player, Multiplayer, Co-op
  • Release date
    2016-11-15
  • Developer
    Ubisoft Montreal

Explore the wiki

Watch_Dogs 2 Beginner Guide

Get through your first operations with a practical introduction to hacking, stealth, and remote-controlled gadgets. Learn how to scout guarded areas and reach objectives without turning every encounter into a firefight.

  1. 1

    Complete the opening Blume infiltration and erase Marcus's profile to unlock Who Am I.

  2. 2

    Use the RC Jumper provided early in the game to enter vents and perform physical hacks.

  3. 3

    Save for the Quadcopter and scout rooftops, guards, and alternative entrances before moving Marcus into danger.

  4. 4

    Distract an isolated guard with a phone hack, then move past or close in for a takedown.

Watch_Dogs 2 Mission Walkthroughs

Find help for individual DedSec operations, from the opening infiltration to later campaign missions. Follow objective-focused walkthroughs and check the achievement associated with each operation.

  • Cyber Driver

    Hijack a movie stunt car for DedSec's own promotional stunt; completing the operation unlocks Knight Ridden.

  • False Profits

    Complete this story operation to unlock Baby, I Got Your Money.

  • Haum Sweet Haum

    Finish this campaign operation to unlock No Place Like Haum.

  • Limp Nudle

    Complete this operation to unlock Informer.

Watch_Dogs 2 Best Skills and Research

Choose upgrades by what they let you do, from reaching rooftops to scouting enemies through walls. Compare Research Point costs and build an early unlock plan around exploration, stealth, or direct action.

  • Research Points

    Earn points through follower progression or collect them in the open world, then spend them in the Research app.

  • Environmental RC

    Costs 2 Research Points and enables remote control of forklifts, scissor lifts, and cranes.

  • Hijacker

    Costs 4 Research Points and lets Marcus hack vehicle locks for quicker, less conspicuous access to parked cars.

  • Proximity Scanner

    Costs 4 Research Points and lets the Quadcopter tag enemies through walls while using NetHack.

Watch_Dogs 2 Money Guide

Earn in-game cash through driving jobs, collectible money bags, and hacking opportunities. Plan your equipment purchases before spending heavily on clothing and cars.

  • Driver SF

    Complete passenger-driving jobs through the in-game ridesharing app to earn cash.

  • Money Bags

    Collect cash bags found in hidden or guarded locations around the open world.

  • Bank Account Hacks

    Use Marcus's in-game phone to obtain cash from hackable NPC bank accounts.

  • Loot Trucks

    Armored-truck events award cash and followers, but require handling police and potentially rival players.

Watch_Dogs 2 Key Data and Collectibles

Track Key Data, ScoutX photo opportunities, unique vehicles, and the Shuffler secret. Use location guides and collection checklists to finish exploration goals without confusing achievement targets with total collectible counts.

  • Key Data

    Collect every hidden Key Data item to unlock Researcher.

  • ScoutX

    Take photos at 25 ScoutX locations to unlock Got The Shutterbug.

  • Unique Vehicles

    Drive one Unique Vehicle to unlock A Ride to Remember.

  • Shuffler Outfit

    Completing the Shuffler objective unlocks an outfit with a special stealth takedown available while wearing it.

Watch_Dogs 2 Weapons and Gadgets

Compare remote-access tools, non-lethal options, and 3D-printed weapons before choosing a loadout. Understand which equipment helps with reconnaissance, physical access, or direct combat.

  • RC Jumper

    A ground-based gadget that can travel through vents and perform physical hacks in restricted areas.

  • Quadcopter

    An aerial drone for surveying compounds, inspecting rooftops, and performing remote hacks.

  • Stun Gun

    A non-lethal weapon that temporarily incapacitates enemies; their allies can wake them.

  • 3D-Printed Weapons

    DedSec's 3D printer provides purchasable weapons for players choosing a more direct combat approach.

Watch_Dogs 2 Co-op and Multiplayer

Understand the difference between two-player cooperative operations, four-player parties, and competitive matches. Check each mode's player limits before organizing a session with friends.

  • 2-Player Co-op

    Cooperative operations are designed for two players and are not available inside four-player party mode.

  • 4-Player Party

    Two to four players can explore together and join activities including Bounty, Invasion, races, and Loot Trucks.

  • Showd0wn

    A 2v2 competitive mode with objectives involving hard drives, contested areas, and server attacks or defense.

  • Multiplayer App

    Launch multiplayer modes manually from Marcus's smartphone rather than waiting for events to appear.

Read more

Watch_Dogs 2 Achievements Guide

Plan your completion run with Steam achievement requirements and separate solo challenges from online objectives. Learn how previously earned Ubisoft Connect achievements synchronize with Steam.

  • 55 Steam Achievements

    Steam lists 55 achievements for the game, including operation completion and optional challenges.

  • Knock You Out

    Perform stealth takedowns on 30 enemies.

  • Please Marcus, Don't Hurt Them

    Neutralize 5 fugitives in Bounty Hunter mode.

  • Achievement Sync

    Launch the game to synchronize previously unlocked Ubisoft Connect achievements with Steam, as described in Ubisoft's announcement.

Common questions

Watch Dogs 2 FAQ

Is Watch Dogs 2 playable on PS5?

Yes. Watch Dogs 2 runs on PS5 through backward compatibility, so you play the PS4 version with faster loading and steadier frame rates. There is no separate native PS5 release.

How long does Watch Dogs 2 take to beat?

Most players spend around 32 hours on the main story together with a reasonable amount of side content. The Human Conditions and No Compromise DLC add roughly 5 to 10 hours on top of that.

Does Watch Dogs 2 support crossplay?

No. Watch Dogs 2 has no cross-platform play, so you and your friends need to be on the same platform family — PC, PlayStation or Xbox — to play together.

How many players can join a co-op session?

Cooperative operations are built for two players. Party mode supports up to four players for free-roam activities such as Bounty, Invasion, races and Loot Trucks.

Do I need to play the first Watch Dogs before Watch Dogs 2?

No. Watch Dogs 2 introduces a new protagonist, Marcus Holloway, and moves the series to the San Francisco Bay Area, so it works as a starting point for the franchise.

Ready to Master Watch Dogs 2?

Plan your next operation with guides to hacking, skills, missions, and collectibles. Start with the basics, then build your own approach to the Bay Area.