Payday 3 Review – More Money, More Problems

Payday 3 on PS5

The launch of Payday 3 was definitely off to a tough begin, as gamers had been met with matchmaking points and log-in errors. I used to be, after all, part of that bunch that needed to always refresh the sport simply to play a couple of minutes of it, solely to be shut out as soon as once more with one other error. 

However I by no means like to guage a guide by its cowl, or on this case, by its launch, regardless of how infuriating it might have been. On the floor, Payday 3 has all of the makings of a superb franchise continuation, however truthfully, that’s all it really is: a superb begin. It simply doesn’t really feel as full because the previous installments, on condition that it now requires a web-based connection, account log-ins, and lacks missions.

Compared, Payday 2’s base recreation featured 12 heists, whereas the most recent installment solely showcased eight. You’d count on a successor like this to no less than have the identical quantity of quests, however it has as a substitute toned it down. Fortuitously, the heists in Payday 3 are somewhat enjoyable to play, and it by no means feels such as you’re taking part in the identical mission twice attributable to its various set of goals.

Even in case you’re a newbie to the franchise or want a fast refresher, you possibly can make the most of the tutorial to familiarize your self with the gameplay. But, I do want the tutorial defined issues a bit extra, as some terminology and mechanics had been ignored in precise missions.

Longtime gamers of the collection will acknowledge familiar characters, similar to Wolf, Dallas, Chains, Pleasure, and Hoxton, with the brand new addition of Pearl. The storyline takes place someday after the occasions of Payday 2, bringing the gang out of retirement and again onto the heisting battlefield. You may watch the cutscenes to dive deeper into the narrative or soar into any mission, no matter your stage or gear. Gamers don’t have to comply with a chronological order for these heists, as they’re all accessible firstly, apart from the locked cutscenes.

I like the thought of getting these decisions laid out for the participant, whether or not they need to deal with the narrative or check their luck in a extra superior mission. The one hiccup I noticed with the PS5 model is a matter with audio since my file didn’t present any sound for cutscenes, which appears to be a typical incidence for this method and presumably others. Moreover, these cinematic takes aren’t as significant as Payday 3’s predecessor, differing from the second installment’s “true” ending that made a big impact.

Heists can go in two instructions: weapons blazing or the stealth route. It doesn’t essentially cater to 1 aspect over the opposite, so the sport does have some replay worth for many who need to strive an alternative choice. When you begin a mission, you’ll have to work alongside a four-person staff, which might be performed with different players/friends or bots in solo mode. Though I favor solo rounds, it’s good to leap in with one other staff to see what completely different sorts of shenanigans unfold within the session. 

As you might count on, the first aim is to seize as a lot money or valuables as doable in whichever approach you deem essential. Typically, you possibly can enter a full-on rage and tackle hostages; different occasions, you end up taking up the function of a Stable Snake-like playthrough as you sneakily maneuver across the space. Actions are restricted when your character’s masks is off, however you’ll change into extra noticeable to bystanders or guards with it on.

Enjoying the heists in Payday 3 took me again to the occasions of Grand Theft Auto V, and I consider it’s a superb different for many who take pleasure in this side of the Rockstar installment. As talked about earlier than, the goals you’ll obtain will all the time change primarily based on the place you’re somewhat than merely capturing up the place every time.

For instance, the Soiled Ice mission requires you to blackmail a manager at a jewellery retailer, whereas Rock the Cradle means that you can mess with a DJ’s music at a nightclub. When you nonetheless need to get your arms soiled, a enjoyable quest like Street Rage instantly helps you to soar right into a lethal battle with the police.

Most areas will exhibit Public, Non-public, and Safe areas that may decide the destiny of your staff’s technique. As an example, anybody caught by a guard at a Safe vacation spot will mechanically be handcuffed, presumably resulting in an all-out alert throughout the facility. What I like about this function is that the Non-public areas can present one other shot at a profitable plan, wherein you’ll be escorted out of the premises as a substitute of halting the scheme solely. It additionally makes issues a lot simpler when pickpocketing a guard since you possibly can merely seize a keycard from them whereas they graciously take you away from the placement.

The fight might be thrilling with Payday 3’s overhaul of highly effective weapons that may be unlocked from the seller. The character’s motion can be comparatively smoother than Payday 2, and the graphics have been revamped due to the modernized engines. Every location got here with its personal set of distinctive traits, and I appreciated the little issues you possibly can uncover, from randomly positioned magazines to notes left by staff.

Though Payday 3 has loads of content material for replays, I don’t suppose it has a lot worth for the lengthy haul with its constant want for a web-based connection and a lowered mission checklist. It might get higher with the addition of offline mode and the upcoming missions set for the DLC, however it nonetheless wants much more substance to be a worthy successor of the franchise.

Gamers can no less than deal with the checklist of Challenges or unlock all skills/objects if they need extra content material after the marketing campaign’s completion. Nevertheless, even in case you earn the rewards from these options, there isn’t a lot you are able to do with them with the restricted quantity of areas and heists. The account log-ins have additionally change into a giant challenge across the neighborhood, particularly because it has been tied to quite a few errors throughout its launch.

However, there’s nonetheless some hope for Payday followers if the servers and gameplay proceed to enhance. My solely need is so as to add an offline mode and extra missions to make it really feel extra fleshed out for the bottom recreation.

Concerning the writer

Kristina Ebanez

Kristina is a Workers Author and has been with Twinfinite for greater than a yr. She usually covers Minecraft, The Sims 4, Disney Dreamlight Valley, anime, Name of Obligation, and newly launched video games. She loves the Metallic Gear Stable collection (Snake Eater particularly), Rockstar’s Bully, the Horizon franchise, What Stays of Edith Finch, and lots of extra. Her canine can be an avid online game watcher, primarily when there is a horse or a cat. She has a Bachelor’s diploma in English from the College of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and grew up gaming on the islands.