Here is a concise summary of the text:
**Title:** Review of Watch Dogs 2
**Initial Expectations:** The reviewer was skeptical about Watch Dogs 2 due to the disappointing experience with the first game.
**Surprising Outcome:** Despite low expectations, the reviewer found Watch Dogs 2 to be a significant improvement, praising its:
1. **Engaging plot** with thought-provoking themes about privacy and control.
2. **Improved gameplay** with enhanced hacking mechanics, open-world interaction, and satisfying stealth aspects.
3. **Memorable characters**, particularly one named "Wrench", who brought humor and interest to the game.
**Criticisms:**
1. **Excessive frivolity** and lack of seriousness in the game's tone.
2. **Unimpressive main character** (Marcus).
3. **Poor physics** in shooting and driving mechanics.
**Rating and Recommendation:** Despite some flaws, the reviewer recommends buying the game, initially suggesting an 8/10 rating but later jokingly retracting a point or two due to the mentioned criticisms.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, keeping each fact as a short sentence and numbered for reference:
1. **Game Recommendation**: The author recommends buying computer games only on Steam.
2. **Watch Dogs 1 Release**: Watch Dogs 1 was released in 2013, accompanied by an active PR campaign by Ubisoft.
3. **Watch Dogs 1 vs. GTA 5**: The author initially thought Watch Dogs 1 would be comparable to GTA 5 but was disappointed.
4. **Watch Dogs 2 Development**: Despite the first part's failure, Ubisoft developed a second part, Watch Dogs 2.
5. **Watch Dogs 2 Reception**: Watch Dogs 2 received a rating of 8 on Metacritic, which the author finds incredibly good and deserved.
6. **Change in Main Character Approach**: Ubisoft decided to change the main character approach in Watch Dogs 2, making the protagonist less central.
7. **Introduction of Diverse Characters**: The game introduces a diverse cast, including a female hacker character, though the author questions her forced addition.
8. **Game Plot**: Watch Dogs 2 has a plot that revolves around a near-future with no privacy, total control through information networks, and a global system serving against people's interests.
9. **Comparison to Other Series**: The game's idea is similar to the series "Mr. Robot" but is made more appealing to a younger audience.
10. **Setting**: The game is set in San Francisco, offering an open-world environment.
11. **Gameplay Features**: Players can control the city through their smartphone, interact with the environment, and engage in stealth gameplay.
12. **Critique of Shooting Mechanics**: The author criticizes the shooting mechanics for being painful and having poor physics.
13. **Critique of Vehicle Physics**: The vehicle physics in Watch Dogs 2 are similarly poor to the first game, despite Ubisoft's success with more realistic physics in other titles.
14. **Author's Rating**: The author would give the game a rating of 7 out of 10, deducting points for excessive frivolity, the main character, and the game's price.
15. **Purchase Recommendation**: Despite some criticisms, the author recommends buying the game, suggesting caution due to its price.