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Payday 2

Payday 2 is a step in the right direction for co-op action still throttled by lame single-player and an annoying unlock system.
Payday 2 Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay
Most mentioned negative aspects:monetization, grinding
88% User Score Based on 164,892 reviews
Critic Score 68%Based on 25 reviews

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Payday 2 Game Cover

About Payday 2

Payday 2 is a single player and multiplayer tactical role playing shooter game. It was developed by Overkill Software and was released on August 12, 2013. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Includes the PAYDAYcon Exclusive Mask - "The King of Jester's".

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Reviews

88%Audience ScoreBased on 164,892 reviews
story2k positive mentions
monetization776 negative mentions

  • story

    10,669 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    19% positive mentions, 75% neutral mentions, 6% negative mentions

    The story aspect of "Payday 2" is often described as convoluted and secondary to the gameplay, with many players noting that the primary focus is on the heists themselves rather than a cohesive narrative. While there are elements of lore and character backstories that can be pieced together through mission briefings and in-game dialogue, the overall story is considered light and sometimes nonsensical, with many players enjoying the absurdity of the missions rather than a serious plot. The game features a variety of missions that can be approached either stealthily or with guns blazing, adding to the replayability and fun, especially when played with friends.

    • “Doing the heists and then putting all the pieces together to follow the storyline was a wonderful surprise considering I thought this was just a bank robber simulator in the beginning.”
    • “The story unfolds through mission briefings and in-game chatter, but the real focus is on the dynamic scenarios and evolving challenges that arise during each heist.”
    • “The story is surprisingly rich in lore and story, despite being a heist game with a focus on preparation and prior knowledge of how to operate in the missions.”
    • “Dogshit game, never-ending missions, misleading objectives.”
    • “The missions are highly repetitive and despite the game at the surface appearing to be a stealth heist game, it's actually a wave horde fighter, and a poor one at that.”
    • “The story is broken up between the online show and the game.”

  • gameplay

    7,203 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    40% positive mentions, 54% neutral mentions, 6% negative mentions

    The gameplay of *Payday 2* is characterized by its engaging cooperative heist mechanics, allowing players to approach missions either stealthily or with guns blazing, which adds variety and replayability. While many players appreciate the depth of customization, skill trees, and the thrill of executing heists, some criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the overwhelming reliance on DLC for a complete experience. Despite its dated graphics and occasional bugs, the game remains a popular choice for those seeking a fun, chaotic multiplayer experience, especially when played with friends.

    • “The gameplay is a whirlwind of chaos and triumph, where each mishap becomes a humorous plot twist in this heist comedy.”
    • “Its robust gameplay mechanics, strategic depth, and extensive customization options make it a thrilling and replayable title.”
    • “With its captivating gameplay, dynamic heist variety, and unwavering commitment to post-launch excellence, Payday 2 remains a stalwart choice for enthusiasts of the genre.”
    • “The outdated graphics, lack of variety in missions, unresponsive AI, pay-to-win practices, and toxic community all contribute to an underwhelming gameplay experience.”
    • “The gameplay loop is super small for the amount of money they're asking for, and in total, not worth it.”
    • “The gameplay becomes very boring when you eventually realize you're just doing the same thing over and over again.”

  • monetization

    6,556 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    6% positive mentions, 82% neutral mentions, 12% negative mentions

    The monetization aspect of "Payday 2" has been a significant point of contention among players, primarily due to the introduction of microtransactions after developers had previously promised that the game would never include them. Many reviews express frustration over the perceived cash grab nature of these microtransactions, which often provide gameplay advantages, alongside a plethora of costly DLCs. While some players have noted that recent updates have removed these microtransactions, the damage to the game's reputation and community trust remains a critical concern.

    • “Despite the addition of microtransactions, Payday 2 is still a very fun game to play, thanks to its constant updates and faithful community.”
    • “The games updates and DLCs have never disappointed (except for that one time where they added microtransactions but then quickly removed them), and out of all the games I've played, I'd be most likely to spend my money on this one.”
    • “The developers have made numerous missteps throughout the game's long history, including briefly adding microtransactions, a bait-and-switch ARG that turned out to be an advert for another game, and other things that offended the player base at large at the time; however, at its core, it is and has generally always been a good game.”
    • “The malicious ads, feeling of power creep by paid DLC, extremely poorly written mechanics for a game this old or that has received this many updates, and loads of game moments where you do nothing wrong but still lose due to game mechanics are what kills this game for me.”
    • “Very displeased with the whole 'we will never have microtransactions' to having more in total when what the base game is worth.”
    • “The game is sometimes broken; Payday 2 is just the heist in baby mode with lots and lots of cash grabs.”

  • music

    3,169 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    54% positive mentions, 43% neutral mentions, 3% negative mentions

    The music in "Payday 2" is widely praised for its dynamic and immersive quality, enhancing the gameplay experience during both stealth and loud heists. Composed primarily by Simon Viklund, the soundtrack features a mix of electronic and dubstep tracks that adapt to the game's intensity, making each mission feel exhilarating. Players often highlight the soundtrack as a key reason for their enjoyment, with many considering it one of the best in gaming history.

    • “The dynamic soundtrack adjusts to the unfolding events, enhancing the adrenaline-pumping moments during intense firefights or stealthy infiltrations.”
    • “The soundtrack is an absolute masterpiece that effortlessly blends various genres to create a truly unique and immersive experience.”
    • “The music in this game is a beautiful construction of the work of mostly Simon Viklund but also other creators such as 'Le Castle Vania' and 'Gustavo Coutinho', while also featuring remixes of the Payday: The Heist missions.”
    • “Just a $10 soundtrack with a game included for free.”
    • “The music is too loud and intense in any situation, same missions over and over, no real goal but still strangely difficult and transporting goods is just annoying and boring.”
    • “The soundtrack has a few absolute garbage tracks.”

  • graphics

    3,114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    43% positive mentions, 47% neutral mentions, 10% negative mentions

    The graphics of *Payday 2* have received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the game's aesthetic and find the visuals decent for a title released in 2013, others note that the graphics feel outdated compared to modern standards, with some textures appearing low-resolution and lacking detail. Overall, the game's graphics are often described as serviceable, contributing to an immersive experience despite not being cutting-edge.

    • “The graphics and sound design contribute to the immersive experience, drawing you into the heart-pounding action of each heist.”
    • “The graphics are excellent, with detailed environments and character models that immerse players in the world of crime.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the sound effects are amazing, and the voice acting is superb.”
    • “The graphics are outdated, the engine is bad with many bugs and glitches, and technically this game is overall poor.”
    • “The graphics look like it's a PS2 era game and yet it's a 30GB download, which becomes 70GB after extraction.”
    • “The graphics are so bad that it literally got buggier than what your partners' coffee stain makes, it crashes more than Minecraft with 1000+ mods on a laptop with a Pentium and an integrated graphics card.”

  • humor

    1,996 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    99% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions

    The humor in "Payday 2" is a standout feature, characterized by its chaotic and absurd scenarios that often lead to hilarious moments, especially when played with friends. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, funny character interactions, and the game's ability to turn glitches into comedic gold, making each heist feel fresh and entertaining. Overall, the blend of dark humor, slapstick moments, and the ridiculousness of the heists contribute to a fun and memorable gaming experience.

    • “The gameplay is a whirlwind of chaos and triumph, where each mishap becomes a humorous plot twist in this heist comedy.”
    • “If you're seeking a game that marries chaos, humor, and the thrill of success against all odds, this is the heist experience you've been waiting for.”
    • “The character dialogue is full of quippy one-liners and humorous moments, and the game's sense of humor is always present in the absurd and ridiculous scenarios you'll find yourself in.”
    • “Its on the unfunny island.”
    • “Not realistic, not funny, just shooting on everywhere auto enemies pop up.”
    • “DLC support was supposed to stop with the garbage h3h3 pack which starred an unfunny YouTuber and his girlfriend as playable characters in this half-serious heisting game.”

  • grinding

    1,387 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 15% neutral mentions, 85% negative mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players, with many noting that it can become excessively tedious, especially when aiming for higher levels or specific achievements. While some players appreciate the depth and replayability that grinding offers, others find it frustrating and repetitive, often leading to burnout. Overall, the game is characterized as heavily grind-oriented, requiring significant time investment to unlock content and progress, which may deter casual players.

    • “One thing that bugs me with the game: it's grindy as hell and it can seem inconsistent.”
    • “I've gotten 100 hours within two weeks and I just can't let go of it, it's not overly competitive, it's not too grindy, it's not too hard or frustrating, it's a perfect combination.”
    • “If you love Korean MMOs but find that they aren't grindy enough for your taste, you should definitely buy this game.”
    • “Extremely grindy game, made even more grindy by 100 (!) levels of prestige.”
    • “And endless grinding of the same heists just to pointlessly grind some levels or infamy, which I haven't even found out what it does (probably nothing worth the time), isn't really something that's for me.”
    • “The game can get grindy if you want specific weapon mods or masks but ultimately most of the grinding is unnecessary and only there if you want to do it.”

  • replayability

    1,317 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    52% positive mentions, 46% neutral mentions, 2% negative mentions

    Payday 2 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its vast array of heists, extensive customization options, and the ability to approach missions in multiple ways (stealth or loud). The game's dynamic elements, such as randomized objectives and varying difficulty levels, ensure that each playthrough feels fresh, making it a favorite among players who enjoy cooperative gameplay and achievement hunting. While some players note that the game can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that its depth and community support provide countless hours of engaging content.

    • “The variety of missions and heists available is staggering, providing endless replayability.”
    • “Its robust gameplay mechanics, strategic depth, and extensive customization options make it a thrilling and replayable title.”
    • “The ability to tailor your character's abilities to suit your playstyle adds depth to the game and encourages replayability.”
    • “Fun game to play with friends but lack of replayability.”
    • “It honestly pretty fun for a while but got stale right after, it lacks replayability and just becomes repetitive.”
    • “The game has a lot of replayability and while most of the heists and gameplay are unique, sadly after a longer while it will get repetitive.”

  • stability

    1,124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    3% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 97% negative mentions

    The stability of the game has been a significant point of contention among players, with many noting that it is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches. While some players find the glitches amusing and part of the game's charm, others express frustration over frequent crashes and connectivity issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," but many still enjoy it for its engaging gameplay and cooperative elements, suggesting that players should be prepared for a less-than-stable experience.

    • “This game is amazing, no bugs, no glitches, just good fun. I have played this game for years and it is still a great game, looking forward to Payday 3 :)”
    • “Optimisation: Payday 2 runs great on most systems and has a fair number of graphics options available to ensure a smooth ride.”
    • “The game runs great, plays great, and is a ton of fun.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess that crashes constantly, and half the game is just glitches.”
    • “The game is incredibly buggy, with frequent crashes and a buggy p2p system that constantly disconnects.”
    • “Despite all the bugs and glitches, I have found several online friends through this game.”

  • optimization

    682 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    21% positive mentions, 50% neutral mentions, 29% negative mentions

    The optimization of "Payday 2" has received mixed reviews from players. While some commend its ability to run smoothly on low-end PCs and appreciate the modding community's efforts to improve performance, many others criticize the game for significant performance issues, particularly on newer maps and with high-end hardware. Overall, players note that while the game can be enjoyable, its optimization remains a persistent problem, often leading to frustrating frame drops and crashes.

    • “One of Payday 2's strengths is its optimized performance. This optimization allows it to run smoothly on a wide range of PCs, including older machines and those with lower specifications.”
    • “The game is well optimized and runs smoothly even on low-end PCs. Great gunfight and perfectly optimized for any systems, even my super potato can run it higher than 60 fps on high settings.”
    • “Despite some performance issues, the game is still fun and has a lot of content to keep players entertained for the long run. Its optimized performance and engaging gameplay make it a great choice for cooperative gaming sessions.”
    • “While the game's optimization can be fixed with mods, it's just embarrassing how Overkill couldn't manage to optimize their own game so the community has to do it for them.”
    • “Even with my 13th gen Intel, 64GB RAM, and a GTX 4080, I still have performance issues here and there and some crashes once in a while.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized for newer computers; some computers have a hard time running it for one reason or another.”

  • atmosphere

    158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    45% positive mentions, 51% neutral mentions, 4% negative mentions

    The atmosphere in "Payday 2" is widely praised for its gritty and immersive portrayal of high-stakes heists, effectively capturing the essence of heist films through its visual and audio design. While the graphics may not be cutting-edge, the game's sound design and dynamic soundtrack significantly enhance the tension and excitement of gameplay, creating a thrilling experience that resonates with players. Overall, the combination of strategic teamwork and atmospheric elements contributes to a unique and engaging criminal underworld experience.

    • “It perfectly captures the high-intensity and adrenaline-pumping atmosphere of the game, elevating the overall gameplay to new heights.”
    • “The gritty atmosphere, coupled with a fantastic soundtrack that perfectly complements the heist sequences, contributes to an immersive and cinematic experience that will have you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The game's graphics and sound design are also top-notch, creating a gritty and immersive atmosphere that adds to the tension and excitement of the gameplay.”
    • “Overkill destroyed the original atmosphere of professional heisters and the charm the original crew had.”
    • “While in the first game the crew and your mastermind communicate through the mission discussing the plan and creating some sort of atmosphere to the mission, in Payday 2 nothing of this exists.”
    • “Micro-transactions, terrible DLC, rude developers, stale combat, and overall terrible atmosphere created by the developers.”

  • emotional

    145 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    99% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 1% negative mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a complex blend of heartfelt connections and intense experiences, with players expressing a wide range of feelings from joy and laughter to sadness and frustration. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions through its story and community interactions, often describing it as both wholesome and deeply impactful, despite its violent themes. Overall, players feel a strong emotional investment in the game, with some even shedding tears over its narrative and character developments.

    • “This game, despite it being so violently gritty, has one of the most wholesome player bases of all time, that actually teach newer players like me how to play better.”
    • “The story was also very entertaining and I sort of wish I had more, but that didn't take away the emotional shock that was the ending.”
    • “This game has supplied me and my friends with hundreds of hours of fun and I don't see an end to that; there is so much to do just main story-wise without even touching the challenges.”
    • “Repetitive gameplay, and a very boring storyline.”

  • character development

    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    58% positive mentions, 26% neutral mentions, 16% negative mentions

    Character development in the game is highly praised for its flexibility and depth, allowing players to customize their characters and playstyles extensively, whether through stealth or aggressive tactics. The unique and engaging character designs, combined with a robust progression system, enhance the overall gameplay experience, making each heist feel distinct. Additionally, the integration of character backstories and personality adds to the game's appeal, although some players find inconsistencies in character design among the roster.

    • “Whether you prefer to be a mastermind manipulating the situation or an enforcer providing heavy firepower, the progression system offers ample flexibility for character development.”
    • “Great character development, with an excellent story.”
    • “Payday 2 offers persistent character development and enforces a great degree of specialization, also allowing the player to choose between a stealthy and quiet approach or a more intense experience going loud and facing waves of law enforcement.”
    • “Wick is extremely out of place in Payday 2, and is inconsistent with the other playable characters in terms of character design.”
    • “The gazillion different DLC packs they release was a little off-putting, but I appreciated the announcement clips that provided character development for the player characters.”
    • “The character development has plenty of different avenues, giving you boosts to different types of play within the game, e.g. stealth, intimidation (having a SWAT guy that starts helping you = awesome) and plenty more.”
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Critic Reviews

68%Critics’ scoreBased on 25 critic reviews
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Play Times

126h Median play time
361h Average play time
26h Main story
495h Completionist
24-450h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 538 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Payday 2 is a tactical role playing shooter game. Common tags for Payday 2 include first-person and epic.

Payday 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, PC and others.

The main story can be completed in around 26 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 495 hours to finish. On average players spend around 361 hours playing Payday 2.

Payday 2 was released on August 12, 2013.

Payday 2 was developed by Overkill Software.

Payday 2 has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Payday 2 for its story but disliked it for its monetization.

Payday 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include PAYDAY The Heist, One-armed robber, Arma 3, Left 4 Dead, Perfect Heist 2 and others.