Watch Dogs’ Aiden Pearce Was Never Just a Batman Wannabe

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Back in 2014 when Watch Dogs first came out, Aiden Pearce was often criticized by many as a thoughtful yet stereotypical main character.

Originally, he was seen as dull and devoid of personality, more like a generic version of Batman missing his high-tech gear. The response to him was incredibly unfavorable, leading Ubisoft to make significant changes for Watch Dogs 2.

He was criticized as being boring and lacking soul, essentially a Batman without the cool gadgets. Due to this extremely negative feedback, Ubisoft decided to alter their approach substantially for Watch Dogs 2.

Growing up wasn’t easy for me; I wasn’t destined to be a hero or a villain from the start. Instead, I was molded by violence, learning that the best way to stay alive was to strike first. Raised in Belfast and then Chicago, my life was a constant battlefield under the watch of a father who seemed to invite as much danger into our lives as he protected us from it. I found myself often standing guard, especially over my sister and her children – a role that would eventually shape every aspect of my existence.

As Watch Dogs opens, Aiden has been immersed in hacking and illicit cyber activities. Alongside his ex-partner Damien Brenks, they inadvertently stumble upon something much larger than anticipated during their raid at the Merlaut Hotel. The consequences swiftly and mercilessly unfold: a bounty is placed on Aiden, but tragically, it’s his niece Lena who pays the price. Grief and the thirst for retribution consume Aiden’s life thereafter.

What often goes unnoticed is that his narrative was equally about maintaining control and seeking revenge. Aiden’s persona revolves around his relentless determination to prevent anything similar to Lena’s death from occurring again, which paradoxically makes him both a destructive force and a guardian in equal measure.

Generally speaking, Aiden is often likened to Batman for several reasons. They’re both unofficial enforcers who work beyond the boundaries of law, employing advanced technology to outsmart adversaries. Tragic losses in their lives have left profound impacts on them, transforming their grief into driving forces.

Although Batman dwells in a universe that’s starkly divided between good and evil, Aiden’s world is far more complex. Unlike Gotham with its corrupt underbelly but still boasting heroes and law enforcement working for justice, Watch Dogs’ Chicago is built on the bedrock of corruption. Instead of fighting traditional villains in capes, Aiden grapples with politicians, gangsters, and powerful corporate figures who control the city.

Batman lives in a black-and-white world, but Aiden navigates a world that’s more grey. Unlike Gotham with its heroes and cops fighting crime, Chicago is ruled by corrupt politicians, gangsters, and corporations. Instead of facing villains like the Joker or Riddler, Aiden battles people in power suits instead of capes.

Unlike Batman, Aiden doesn’t adhere to a stringent moral code. He deals with grief differently than most heroes, showing no hesitation in taking lives, manipulating those close to him, and justifying each action as essential for his cause. Crucially, Aiden’s story isn’t about self-imposed duty or responsibility.

Instead of feeling a moral obligation to clean up Chicago, he’s a man grasping for any semblance of purpose due to past tragedies – losing someone dear and being overwhelmed by responsibilities beyond his control. This isn’t the classic Batman. It’s a character far more complex, rooted in raw human experiences. He believes himself to be the sole protector of his family, yet his actions seem to push them further from him instead.

The portrayal of Aiden’s actions in Watch Dogs carries a quiet yet strong impact. He covertly observes his sister out of concern for her well-being rather than with any harmful intentions. Yet, he often manipulates his associates, providing them minimal room to decide freely. He executes acts of ‘justice,’ yet never pauses to contemplate if his version of justice mirrors that of the individuals he pursues.

The game offers a peek into Aiden’s thoughts via Digital Trips. In the ‘Alone’ simulation, Aiden is pursued by unseen adversaries as a constant voice accuses him of all wrongdoings. Beneath his heroic facade, Aiden understands he isn’t the paragon he strives to be. He acknowledges his destructive nature but is powerless to halt it. His compulsion for control outweighs everything else, which makes him a pitiable figure.

2014 saw a lot of discussion about Watch Dogs, much of it focused on the well-known E3 downgrade and the fact that the game didn’t meet the high expectations set by its initial promotion. However, as time went on, players came to value the game for what it truly offered, rather than what they had hoped it would provide.

In the grimy, wet streets of Chicago, the thick tension, and the character with questionable morals contributed to a game that turned out to be deeper than many initially assumed. Although the hacking aspects might not have been as revolutionary as anticipated, they successfully combined elements of stealth, action, and tactics, which only a few other games have effectively achieved.

At the heart of it all stood Aiden Pearce, an intriguing character who might not have been conventionally likable but captivated players nonetheless. Over time, players found themselves revisiting Watch Dogs with a fresh outlook.

People didn’t fully appreciate what Watch Dogs was doing correctly for quite a few years, and it’s unlikely that Ubisoft will return to the same narrative style that made Aiden’s story so captivating.

Delving deeper into Aiden Pearce’s persona, I can confidently say he wasn’t a disappointing main character in disguise. Instead, he was a deeply complex figure whose layers unfolded as the story progressed.

He stood out as exceptional within his genre, but unfortunately, our readiness didn’t match up with his initial debut.

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2025-03-19 05:42