In theory, the 2020 release of Watch Dogs: Legion stands out as a remarkable entry in the open-world action genre. Set in a futuristic dystopian version of London, the game allows players to inhabit a diverse array of characters, each randomly generated from a pool of typically overlooked city dwellers. While the ambition was to transform these background figures into relatable, fully fleshed-out personas, the execution leaves much to be desired, potentially jeopardizing one of Ubisoft's notable franchises.

The concept of embodying any character within a game is thrilling, and Watch Dogs: Legion initially presents itself as a conventional gaming experience. However, it soon shifts gears into this intriguing premise. The game opens with an exhilarating sequence reminiscent of a canceled James Bond project, where players control a suave ex-military agent named Dalton, aiming to thwart a terrorist attack on iconic London landmarks. Despite the presence of a slick hacker crew and an advanced AI companion, Dalton's efforts end in failure, setting the stage for the game’s antagonists and establishing a tech-heavy, surveillance-driven London that amplifies its parallels with the real world.

Although the opening is packed with excitement and a hint of political commentary, it foreshadows the broader issues that plague Legion. The narratives of its predecessors centered on personal stories involving a couple of key characters, but the third installment's ambition to allow players to take control of anyone leads to an overly expansive narrative that lacks intimacy. The story's scope broadens to encompass the entirety of London, ensnared by mercenaries, drones, and surveillance technology, rendering Legion’s plot more akin to a chaotic cartoon, making it harder for players to form a connection.

Ubisoft aimed to differentiate this installment by eliminating the archetypal protagonist early on, but the resulting cast of randomly generated characters fails to deliver a compelling narrative, despite the impressive technology that underpins their creation. Each NPC comes with a unique backstory, appearance, and skill set, allowing players to select three characters to start with and recruit others during gameplay.

However, the diversity of characters leads to a narrative dilution, as they all must engage in the same missions and cutscenes. A limited voice cast attempts to bring life to this extensive roster, but the lack of variety leads to a robotic and awkward delivery. While the writing attempts to differentiate characters through dialogue, the overarching plot remains the same, leaving players feeling detached from the experience. The game introduces a charming set of side characters to guide players, but the clash of voice acting and the expansive narrative scope reduces the immersion, making it seem like a collection of generic missions rather than a cohesive story.

The game’s mission structure suffers from the ease of assembling a poorly matched team due to the enticing character recruitment system. Legion emphasizes stealth and hacking over gunplay, encouraging players to navigate missions without resorting to violence. However, many recruitable NPCs are ill-suited for the action-oriented gameplay, leading to frustration when their capabilities don’t align with the mission requirements.

As players adapt to the mechanics, enjoyment can still be found within the game. Activating the permadeath feature adds weight to character choices, giving them a sense of permanence. Although the hacking and stealth gameplay mirrors earlier entries in the franchise, they still feel functional. However, few characters can rival the unique charm of Watch Dogs 2’s protagonist, Marcus, leaving a sense of longing for the more grounded figures like Aiden Pearce from the original game.

Both characters make brief appearances, but only through downloadable content, which adds to the frustration.

Despite the narrative shortcomings, Legion boasts impressive technical polish, showcasing some of the best graphics available on current-generation systems. The cross-generation compatibility further highlights its visual achievements. Players on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or PC will experience exceptional ray tracing and lighting effects that create a vibrant, detailed world. The environment is rich with micro-details, from intricate storefronts to realistic traffic patterns, fulfilling some of the promises made in early Watch Dogs tech demos.

On older consoles, the game resembles an evolution of Watch Dogs 2, which still features one of the best open worlds created. The visual fidelity kept players engaged longer than the story or design could manage, as the allure of exploring the city and witnessing the dynamic reflections remained captivating. Launching during the challenging pandemic year only adds to the game’s achievements.

The sound design, aside from the lackluster voice acting, is commendable. The techno-infused soundtrack and ambient sounds effectively immerse players in the city and combat scenarios. The nostalgic “hacking noises” enhance the gameplay experience, even if they verge on excessive.

Watch Dogs: Legion is a remarkable technical feat, aspiring to innovate with its promise of allowing players to embody anyone they encounter. However, its darker tone, detached storyline, and various design challenges ultimately hinder its ambitious vision. Initially, the concept of such a vast character pool raises questions about feasibility, but the outcome reveals a lack of depth, despite impressive graphics.

Ubisoft did not incentivize me to review this game. Given its lackluster sales, they might prefer to move on from it. My local Best Buy still has an abundance of unsold copies of Legion on their shelves. Although the game started strong with its multiplatform holiday launch, it seems to have vanished from public discourse. Ubisoft has remained quiet on this series, and if it resurfaces, it may do so as a reboot utilizing the updated Snowdrop engine, which also powers Frontiers of Pandora and Star Wars Outlaws.

I would be eager to see another Watch Dogs title, but only if it returns to a more human-centered narrative. The outlandish city-wide hacking mechanics are more palatable when balanced with a thoughtful, emotional storyline. While Watch Dogs: Legion presents an intriguing array of ambitious technologies, it ultimately overlooks the core aspect of gaming: the human connection to a narrative that extends beyond stunning visuals and randomized avatars.