We’re still a while away before 2020 arrives but we have a frontrunner already for the prestigious Game Of The Year accolade in the form of Ubisoft’s upcoming Watch Dogs Legion.
It’s the second sequel in the mega popular hacking/open-world video game franchise and while this entry features new innovations – such as a post-Brexit setting and multiple protagonists – that shake up its tried and true formula, the best feature is the ability to play as literally any character if you want.
Some chap named Jeremy who is drowning his sorrows at the bar? Yep. A 28-year-old animator named Lisa who works too hard and is paid too little? Totally. Helen, the retired old granny who just wants to feed ducks at the park in peace? Oh most definitely.
“I’ll scold you with this English breakfast in a chipped mug.”
That is not a joke, you can literally play as a granny in Watch Dogs Legion and turn them from simple folk who just want to offer you butterscotch lollies to badass hackers and assassins. This is due to the game’s new recruitment mechanic and setting. Allow me to try and explain.
You see, the game revolves around a group of hacktavists called DedSec, who aim to be the modern day Robin Hood of sorts by bringing justice to ordinary Londoners who have been hit by the harsh post-Brexit times, as well as doing their part to overthrow an oppressive government. In order to do said justice, you need to recruit people and the game’s new “recruitment” system allows you to “hack” and play as any character, including Helen.
Now Helen may be old but her asskicking credentials are top-notch as she is apparently a retired assassin who is seemingly brought back into the fold for “one last job”.
Unsurprisingly, Helen is already a big hit with the internet and is quickly rising up the ranks as everyone’s favourite new video game character.
honestly very excited to play as Espionage Grandma #E3 #UbiE3 #WatchDogsLegion pic.twitter.com/XiCUYrClTh
— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) June 10, 2019
I will only play #WatchDogsLegion if I can assemble a team of #GoldenGirls who are also stone cold killers pic.twitter.com/NZmMuEefSh
— ?ashley ✨#pride ?️? (@AshleyEsqueda) June 10, 2019
ME GETTING READY TO FUCK UP LONDON IN WATCH DOGS 3 pic.twitter.com/peelqYyu8s
— Jennifer (@GoldvesterCos) June 10, 2019
Watch Dogs Legion pic.twitter.com/AS8DwsOIQt
— Alejandro Sanz (@Alexsamag) June 10, 2019
Look, there’s a bunch of other interesting things in Watch Dogs Legion but the prospect of playing as grandma Helen is more than enough reason to get the game.
As for when you get to do old people stuff, like scream at people to get off your lawn before shooting them in the face and hacking into their bank account, Watch Dogs Legion is scheduled for release on March 6th, 2020.