'Watch Dogs 2' release date: gameplay changes include removing Digital Trip, mini-games

"Watch Dogs 2" Ubisoft/Watch Dogs 2

Though it can be expected that the sequel "Watch Dogs 2" will have improvements and tweaks, developer Ubisoft has confirmed that some elements from the first game will also be scrapped.

In an interview with Gaming Bolt, game director Danny Belanger revealed that one of the features in the original "Watch Dogs," the AR games, will not be returning in the sequel. Belanger hints that instead of the mini-games scattered across the city, players will instead have to discover new side missions by hacking. The game director said, "We are offering more city exploration. So as you're walking around the city, you'll open Nethack and you'll discover operations and secrets that will unlock side quests if you want."

The single-player campaign in the first "Watch Dogs" was littered with mini-games to add content for the player. This time, however, Ubisoft decided to remove the mini-games and strengthen the multiplayer part of the game. Belanger adds, "Now you're part of DedSec, so you're part of a hacker group, so we wanted those hackers to work together. So you can be in your single player game but there's a DedSec ally that's walking around the street, and if you want you can just go and press a button and go in co-op. We created operations meant for co-op because they're challenging, so it's good to have a buddy."

The exclusion of mini-games is just one of the changes for "Watch Dogs 2." Previously, Ubisoft also revealed that the trademark tower-climbing mechanic that was a staple of their franchises will not be present in the sequel. In the original "Watch Dogs," players will have to locate, climb, and hack ctOS towers in order to unlock content in the locations around the towers.

"Watch Dogs 2" will be released on the PS4, Xbox One and PC on Nov. 15.

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