Payday 3 Review: Will It Live Up to the Hype? (PC)

Payday 3 is finally here after a long awaited 10 years after Payday 2. Overkill Software have delivered a fresh new take on the games look, feel and style in this new installment of the trilogy. The game had a rocky start with the launch weekend having some severe server issues due to the lack of an offline mode seen in the previous title. However, that does not take away from the over the top action this game is packed with once players were able to get online. Although different in many ways, Payday 3 keeps a familiar vibe with the last title as well. We will go over several key points good and bad during this review of the long awaited Payday 3. 

Payday 3 is available on Steam, Xbox X/S, and PS5. Purchase price is $39.99 or included with Xbox Game Pass. 

Story – Bullets and Cash

Payday 3 has the player as part of the infamous Payday gang pulling of heist of different target and motive. The first being a bank robbery to increase the funds of the gang after a “retirement” taken after the events of Payday 2. As usual there are multiple approaches to the end goal whether you want to try and stealth or go loud. After this you are then visited by some familiar characters from the past once again needing a crew to obtain some things for them. Items such as crypto wallets, artifacts, hard drives and many items that will come into play as more content is released. This sounds a little like the story to the last game and in ways it is similar. Being a Payday game, it would make sense to keep a similar structure as to not ruin the integrity of the story telling and the gang’s overall purpose of being modern Robin Hoods. 

Firing CAR Rifle

Gameplay – Peace or War, You Decide

The game has you as a heister in an organized crime group.  From sneaking around a bank to steal some cash or going full guns blazing to rob crypto currency at a nightclub, Payday 3 delivers on both fronts for whichever approach decided to take. Stealth options are going to take more time as you have to wait for guards to pass as well as cameras to move out of view. The core principles however have stayed the same. The loud approach has also changed. Even on the lower difficulties you will be faced with more powerful enemies in your way including cloakers and dozers. If enough officers are eliminated they will eventually launch an all out assault that will not end until you exfil or fail.

Tools of the Job 

The weapon options are a decent spread of different ranges and damages. The choices for weaponry will fill most players needs. Fully automatic rifle options for those going in fast and loud. There is also semi automatic weapons for those wanting to hang back and be more precise. Sidearms aren’t quite as in depth as Payday 2 but there are still plenty to choose from. 

A new weapon class known as the Overkill Weapons are also a cool new feature. Players start off with a 6 shot grenade launcher that is unlocked by kills. At level 40 you can unlock a sniper rifle to use if that is more your speed. Weapon customization is still here but leaves some to be desired with the design and color options being vanilla by Payday standards. As mentioned before, updates and DLC will more than likely add more to the options.

Two Faced Criminals

Masks are a huge part of the game considering it is what the majority of other players are going to see. Customization of these masks is important as it was a big feature in the Payday 2. Like the outfits, options and customization are a bit limited as of now. One difference is it seems the developers leaned into customization more in this game. Unlike the last game, most of the purchasable masks are blank. This makes customization easier compared to one with a design already on it. Obviously there are some pre-designed ones but most are a blank canvas. From there you can take the mask you purchased and add color and designs to it. The color options are all solid colors instead of wacky patterns. There are quite a few options for color as well as designs to add to the mask. The mask customization didn’t change much and is pretty solid.

Drilling the Door

Graphics and Audio – Shine Like a Diamond

The game has had a major overhaul in the graphics department compared to the previous release. It looks fantastic with real world textures and shadows to give a reality feeling to the game. The lighting is also magnificent with real world glare and reflections. From the weapons being more realistic to the coat tails moving in the wind it has changed dramatically for the better. They left no texture untouched as labels on the trash on the street can be easily read and seen with no more blurred colors and unidentified objects. The ammo, medic and armor boxes have also had a facelift are have much more realistic and robust look to them.

The Sounds of Tinnitus

The audio is crisp and clear with varying voice lines as well as different gunfire. The voice lines are very clear and vary depending on the situation. They made it very easy to tell radio chatter apart from actual spoken word.

The gunfire varies due to caliber and attachments. You can tell a distinct difference between a pistol firing and a shotgun firing. Suppressors and other attachments also vary the sound.

The Final Assault

Payday 3 is a game that anyone can enjoy and have fun playing. It is definitely a fun time especially with friends killing your way to fortune. Some more heist options and story points would make this game a masterpiece but those will come in time. The ability to be serious and stealth your way through or goof off guns blazing makes it a good time for any style of play.

The stunning visuals and lighting really make you feel like your under fire in a bank vault. The audio and the shouting voice lines in the heat of the moment also add to the realism and intensity. Customization lets you express yourself in many different ways making the experience truly unique as you fine tune your loadout and killer outfit.

Payday 3 was reviewed on PC.