The PlayStation Plus logo is superimposed over the image of a beach.
By
Bruno Yonezawa
Published Feb 2, 2026, 8:00 PM EST
Bruno Yonezawa is a Gaming Senior Writer for Screen Rant. He's been practicing professional journalism for over 10 years, and is also a communications specialist. He's played games all his life and turned that passionate hobby into a passionate career, in an industry where he's worked as a writer, editor, analyst, and more.
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PlayStation Plus members who are eagerly waiting for Grand Theft Auto 6 may have a way of addressing their expectations until then with a free game offered by the subscription service. Depending on your membership tier, there are hundreds of different games to choose from, all of which cover a variety of genres. This is also constantly undergoing changes, as seen with the new February games, which add titles like Ultros to PS Plus.
If you’re looking forward to the release of GTA 6 later this year, however, there is a game that may end up satisfying you – at least when it comes down to its huge open-world map and gunplay. As part of the PS Plus Extra tier, you can download and play Watch Dogs 2 for free on PlayStation, as seen on the PlayStation Store website. This means that both Extra and Premium tier members have access to it.
Watch Dogs 2 Has A Seriously Underrated Open World
Explore San Francisco’s Bay Area
There are some pretty big core differences between Ubisoft’s title and Rockstar’s upcoming game. What they do share, however, is a massive open world to explore. If what you adore about the Grand Theft Auto series is the freedom to explore a huge city during your tasks, then playing Watch Dogs 2 can cater to your demands. Perhaps due to the issues with the first game, the second game is seriously underrated.
As a direct result, its open-world map is also underrated, but it should be acknowledged. There is plenty to see and do in the game’s fictional recreation of San Francisco’s Bay Area, and if you like to discover secrets while you explore, this is a great option. The game isn’t exactly new to the subscription service, and it isn’t amongst the PS Plus February games, as it is part of the Ubisoft+ Classics benefit.
It’ll Scratch Your GTA 6, Guaranteed
Watch Dogs 2 Feels Familiar & Different At The Same Time
In addition to the huge open-world map you’ll get to explore, there are also some similarities when it comes to gameplay. From a third-person perspective, you’ll be able to venture throughout the city. The game focuses heavily on driving and gunplay, too, like the GTA series, but with some extra elements: primarily hacking. There’s also a larger investment in stealth, compared to Rockstar’s hit franchise.
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Discover the value of subscribing to our newsletter: curated PS Plus coverage, expert-picked open-world and action game recommendations, and concise guides that help you choose the best titles to play next. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.Watch Dogs 2 will feel very different from GTA, but it will also feel very familiar in some other aspects. If you’re looking for something to play while you wait for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in November – provided it isn’t delayed again – Watch Dogs 2 is a great game to spend your time with, especially with its free status on PlayStation Plus.
Watch Dogs 2
Like Follow Followed Open-World Action Adventure Systems
OpenCritic Reviews
Top Critic Avg:
82/100
Critics Rec:
82%
Released
November 15, 2016
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
Developer(s)
Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher(s)
Ubisoft
Engine
havok
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
Franchise
Watch Dogs
Genre(s)
Open-World, Action, Adventure
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