Hacking on Wheels: A Deep Dive into Car Hacking in Watch Dogs 2

Yes, absolutely! Car hacking is a core mechanic in Watch Dogs 2. You can manipulate vehicles in a variety of ways to create distractions, cause accidents, or even just clear a path through traffic. It’s a significant part of the game’s open-world gameplay and a powerful tool in Marcus Holloway’s arsenal. Let’s delve into the specifics of vehicle hacking in Watch Dogs 2 and explore everything it has to offer.

Understanding Vehicle Hacking in Watch Dogs 2

Vehicle hacking in Watch Dogs 2 goes far beyond simply hotwiring a ride. Thanks to Marcus Holloway’s skills and the ctOS network, you can remotely control cars, trucks, and even buses, forcing them to move forward, backward, or turn. This opens up a plethora of strategic possibilities, allowing you to:

• Create Diversions: Trigger a car alarm to draw guards away from a restricted area.

• Cause Accidents: Force a vehicle into the path of an enemy convoy to create chaos and disrupt their plans.

• Remotely Control Vehicles: Take full control of a car to navigate treacherous routes, evade pursuers, or even set up elaborate traps.

The Vehicle Directional Hack is one of the first skills you unlock in the game, making it accessible early on and encouraging experimentation with the game’s mechanics. The range and effectiveness of your hacking abilities can be improved by unlocking related skills.

How to Hack Cars

Hacking a car in Watch Dogs 2 is a relatively straightforward process.

1. Target the Vehicle: Use your phone to focus on the car you want to hack.

2. Access the Hack Menu: A context-sensitive menu will appear, displaying the available hacking options.

3. Choose Your Action: Select the desired action, such as moving forward, backward, left, or right, or triggering an alarm.

4. Execute the Hack: Press the corresponding button to initiate the hack.

Keep in mind that the range of your hacking ability is limited, and some vehicles may be resistant to certain hacks, depending on their ctOS security level. It pays to upgrade your hacking skills to increase your range and overcome these security measures.

Advanced Car Hacking Techniques

As you progress through Watch Dogs 2, you will unlock new skills that greatly enhance your car hacking abilities. These include:

• Engine Override: Completely disable a vehicle, bringing it to a screeching halt.

• Mass Vehicle Hack: Cause multiple vehicles in an area to simultaneously malfunction, creating widespread chaos.

• Remote Detonation: Plant explosives on a vehicle and remotely detonate them, turning it into a mobile bomb.

These advanced techniques require more skill points to unlock but can significantly increase your tactical options and make you a formidable force in the digital playground of San Francisco.

Beyond Hacking: Customization and Acquisition

While hacking is a primary focus, Watch Dogs 2 also offers other options related to vehicles.

Customization

Watch Dogs 2 provides some customization options for your cars. You can modify the car’s paint scheme for a distinct look. These paint jobs can be purchased from dealerships or unlocked by completing specific missions.

Acquiring Vehicles

Unlike some open-world games, Watch Dogs 2 does not allow you to purchase vehicles directly. Instead, you must either steal them or unlock them by completing missions and finding secret cars throughout the map. Once you enter a unique vehicle, it is saved to your “Car on Demand” app, allowing you to summon it at any time. There are 7 secret cars/ unique vehicles for players to collect, some of which offer superior performance.

FAQs About Car Hacking in Watch Dogs 2

1. Can you force cars off the road in Watch Dogs 2?

Yes, using the Vehicle Directional Hack, you can steer vehicles into other cars, obstacles, or even off cliffs, creating accidents and causing mayhem.

2. Is it possible to control a car indefinitely?

No, there is a limited duration for how long you can remotely control a vehicle. The duration is often enough to cause significant disruption or escape from a scene, but you can’t drive a car across the entire map while hacking.

3. Can you hack helicopters or boats in Watch Dogs 2?

No, car hacking is primarily limited to land-based vehicles. Helicopters and boats cannot be directly hacked and controlled.

4. Are there any cars that cannot be hacked in Watch Dogs 2?

Some heavily armored vehicles or vehicles with advanced ctOS security may be more resistant to hacking or require specific skills to override their systems.

5. How do you unlock the “A Ride to Remember” trophy/achievement?

You unlock this achievement by entering your first unique car. These vehicles will be saved in your “Car on Demand” app.

6. What is the fastest car in Watch Dogs 2?

The Fiammetta is widely considered the fastest car in Watch Dogs 2, boasting excellent handling and top speed.

7. Where can you find the secret cars in Watch Dogs 2?

The locations of secret cars are scattered throughout the map, often in hidden or hard-to-reach areas. You can find guides online that detail the exact locations of each vehicle. One of the secret vehicles is located in the Port of Oakland, in an open container on top of the stack.

8. Can you use car hacking during online multiplayer?

Yes, car hacking is available in online multiplayer, allowing you to use your skills to disrupt other players or assist your teammates.

9. Are there any limitations to the Mass Vehicle Hack?

The Mass Vehicle Hack has a limited range and affects only a certain number of vehicles at a time. It also requires a significant amount of energy and a cooldown period before it can be used again.

10. Can you hack cars to move in reverse?

Yes, the Vehicle Directional Hack allows you to make cars move forward or backward.

11. Can you customize the performance of cars in Watch Dogs 2?

No, the focus is more on aesthetics. You can only customize the paint job of the car.

12. What is ctOS in the Watch Dogs universe?

ctOS is a centralized operating system that manages a city’s infrastructure, including traffic lights, security cameras, and vehicles. Hackers like Marcus Holloway can exploit vulnerabilities in ctOS to control these systems.

13. What makes Watch Dogs 2 different from other open-world games with vehicles?

Watch Dogs 2’s unique car hacking mechanics set it apart from other open-world games. The ability to remotely control vehicles and manipulate the environment adds a layer of strategic depth not found in other titles. The game also explores themes of hacking, digital privacy, and social justice.

14. Are there specific skills that improve car hacking effectiveness?

Yes, skills like Enhanced Spring, Engine Override, and Mass Vehicle Hack significantly improve your car hacking capabilities. These are available in the Skill Tree.

15. Does vehicle hacking play a role in the story missions?

Yes, vehicle hacking is often integrated into story missions, requiring you to use your skills to infiltrate restricted areas, evade pursuers, or sabotage enemy operations.

The Power of Play and Learning

The car hacking mechanics in Watch Dogs 2 provides players with exciting gameplay but also offer insights into real-world cybersecurity concerns. By experimenting with hacking in the virtual world, players can develop a better understanding of the vulnerabilities and potential consequences of cyberattacks. Organizations such as the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org explore how games can promote learning and skill development in various fields.

Conclusion

Car hacking is an integral and exciting aspect of Watch Dogs 2, offering players a wide range of strategic options and opportunities for creative gameplay. From creating diversions to causing chaos and remotely controlling vehicles, the possibilities are endless. By mastering the art of car hacking, you can become a true digital disruptor and take control of the streets of San Francisco.