One question that might pop into your mind as you cruise around the vibrant open world of San Francisco in Watch Dogs 2 is: “How do I repair my car after a thrilling chase or a minor fender bender?”. If you’re accustomed to games where you can pull into a garage for a quick fix-up, you might be surprised by the answer in Watch Dogs 2.
Unfortunately, you cannot directly repair vehicles in Watch Dogs 2. Unlike some other open-world games, Watch Dogs 2 does not feature mechanics for vehicle repair or modification. This might seem a bit unusual at first, especially when you’re weaving through traffic and causing a bit of chaos, but the game cleverly provides alternative solutions to ensure you’re never left stranded with a damaged ride.
So, if you can’t repair your car, what are your options? The primary method for dealing with damaged vehicles is the incredibly convenient “Car on Demand” app on your character’s phone. Think of it as your personal, on-call vehicle delivery service. Whenever your current vehicle becomes too battered, or if you simply fancy a change of pace, you can use this app to instantly “respawn” any car you’ve previously unlocked. This effectively bypasses the need for repairs, offering a quick and seamless way to get back into a fresh, undamaged vehicle.
Alt text: Marcus using the Car on Demand app on his smartphone in Watch Dogs 2 to request a new vehicle.
How do you unlock new vehicles for this handy app? The easiest way is simply to enter a vehicle you find in the game world. Whenever you drive a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle for the first time, the game will register it. A notification “new vehicle unlocked” will appear, confirming that this vehicle is now available through your Car on Demand app. This encourages exploration and experimentation with different rides you find scattered around the city.
Beyond simply finding cars parked or driving around, you can also hack civilians’ phones for a chance to unlock new vehicles. While this method is less direct, it can be a source of rarer and more unique vehicles. To improve your chances of finding valuable hacks, invest in the “Hacking” skill tree. Unlocking certain skills will highlight civilians with valuable hacking opportunities, including cars, songs, and even bank accounts, with a distinctive blue square visible from a distance. Keep an eye out for these marked individuals as you explore, although be aware that vehicle unlocks through hacking are still relatively infrequent. Hacking phones is also a great activity to fill time while waiting for multiplayer sessions to start.
Alt text: Marcus hacking a civilian’s phone in Watch Dogs 2, aiming to discover new vehicle unlocks and other valuable data.
For those seeking faster and more stylish vehicles, Fixer Contracts are an excellent source of sports cars and other exciting rides. These missions often involve races or timed drives through the city using a specific vehicle provided for the contract. Completing these contracts not only earns you rewards but also unlocks the vehicle used in the mission for your Car on Demand app. To access Fixer Contracts, you’ll need to hack ctOS towers scattered throughout San Francisco. Hacking these towers reveals new missions, points of interest, and fixer contracts in the surrounding area, giving you more opportunities to expand your vehicle collection.
In conclusion, while Watch Dogs 2 doesn’t allow for traditional car repairs, it compensates with the convenient Car on Demand app and various ways to constantly acquire new and exciting vehicles. So instead of worrying about dents and scratches, focus on exploring the city, experimenting with different cars, and enjoying the ride!
