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Payday 2

Payday 2: Crimewave Edition doesn't look all that great, but it plays better than ever this time around.
Payday 2 Game Cover
82%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
monetization, grinding
86% User Score Based on 267,137 reviews
Critic Score 78%Based on 17 reviews

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Payday 2 Game Cover

About

Payday 2 is a single player and multiplayer tactical role playing shooter game. It was developed by OVERKILL - a Starbreeze Studio. and was released on August 13, 2013. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"PAYDAY 2" is a four-player co-op shooter where players step into the shoes of Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf, and Chains to pull off thrilling heists in Washington DC. The CRIMENET network provides a variety of dynamic contracts, from small-time convenience store hits to major bank vault jobs. As players progress, they can earn money, build their reputations, and customize their weapons and gear, with up to four friends able to cooperate on each job.

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Payday 2 screenshot
Payday 2 screenshot
Payday 2 screenshot
Payday 2 screenshot
Payday 2 screenshot
Payday 2 screenshot
Payday 2 screenshot
Payday 2 screenshot
Payday 2 screenshot
Payday 2 screenshot
Payday 2 screenshot
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86%
Audience ScoreBased on 267,137 reviews
story3.2k positive mentions
monetization1.3k negative mentions
  • Engaging heist mechanics allow for both stealthy and loud approaches, enhancing replayability and variety.
  • The dynamic and adrenaline-pumping soundtrack significantly enhances the immersive experience during heists.
  • Deep customization options and character development provide players with a variety of playstyles and strategies.
  • Repetitive gameplay and reliance on DLC for content can lead to a sense of monotony and frustration.
  • The game's monetization model, including microtransactions and numerous DLCs, has faced significant backlash from players.
  • Performance issues, bugs, and crashes detract from the overall experience, making it feel unoptimized and frustrating at times.
  • story
    17,048 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Payday 2" is often described as chaotic and convoluted, revolving around a group of criminals engaging in various heists, from bank robberies to absurd missions involving government conspiracies. While the game features a loose narrative that unfolds through mission briefings and character interactions, many players find the story secondary to the gameplay, which emphasizes cooperative heist mechanics and allows for both stealthy and loud approaches to missions. Despite its lack of a cohesive plot, the game is praised for its engaging mission variety and the depth of its character customization, making it a beloved title among fans of the heist genre.

    • “The variety of missions and approaches—from stealthy infiltration to full-on assault—adds great replayability.”
    • “Every mission feels intense — you’re constantly switching between stealth and chaos, and it’s up to your team to decide how things go down.”
    • “The story element is actually a big surprise as you simply aren't heisting for the hell of it; there is an underlying three-point element of betrayal, revenge, and betrayal again before a final shot at true freedom.”
    • “The game would have been worth buying back before they removed 10% of the free content and also delisted large amounts of DLC content that was required to play the main story.”
    • “The main story of a game shouldn't be paywalled, so for that reason I would not recommend it to new players.”
    • “The story is a bit messy, but if you research a bit, you finally see every connection between the heists.”
  • gameplay
    11,584 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Payday 2* is characterized by its engaging heist mechanics, allowing players to choose between stealthy or loud approaches, which adds variety and replayability. While many players appreciate the depth of customization and the cooperative nature of the game, some criticize the repetitive gameplay and reliance on DLC for content. Overall, the game offers a fun and chaotic experience, especially when played with friends, despite some dated mechanics and occasional bugs.

    • “The gameplay loop revolves around planning and executing various robberies, from banks to armored trucks, which keeps the tension and excitement high.”
    • “The gameplay is intense, the customization is deep, and pulling off a perfect heist with your crew is incredibly satisfying.”
    • “The core gameplay revolves around planning and executing heists, and Payday 2 nails the experience perfectly.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is just boring, and what you are actually doing is distasteful.”
    • “The gameplay has also gone through many changes over the years, which is why I have mixed feelings; the balancing and meta for the game has changed radically to the point that it is a completely different game.”
    • “The gameplay is literally the same thing over and over.”
  • monetization
    10,325 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of "Payday 2" has faced significant backlash from players, primarily due to the introduction of microtransactions and a plethora of DLCs, which many feel are exploitative and contrary to earlier promises from the developers. While some players argue that the microtransactions are optional and do not significantly impact gameplay, the overall sentiment is one of disappointment and frustration, as the game has shifted towards a cash grab mentality, undermining its initial appeal. Despite recent efforts to remove microtransactions, the damage to the game's reputation and community trust remains a contentious issue.

    • “I think people need to open their eyes and see that it isn't as egregious as a lot of other companies' monetization practices.”
    • “On the bright side, the game’s microtransactions are mostly limited to cosmetics, and essential gameplay elements can be accessed without spending extra money.”
    • “Despite some drawbacks such as the learning curve, solo play challenges, microtransactions, and occasional technical issues, the game’s strengths make it well worth playing.”
    • “It's really disheartening to see such predatory monetization tactics instituted by Starbreeze 12 years post-launch.”
    • “The fact that a great amount of reviews give a thumbs up and read as generic responses does not make it look very good after this terrible failure of a cash grab tactic you tried to pull off with the subscription and then increasing the price for the DLCs.”
    • “The game is a cash grab, and it has DLCs and microtransactions.”
  • graphics
    4,912 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of *Payday 2* are often described as dated, reflecting its 2013 release, with many users noting that while the visuals may not compete with modern AAA titles, they remain functional and immersive for the game's fast-paced action. Despite some complaints about optimization issues and occasional crashes at higher settings, the game's distinct art style and character models are generally appreciated, especially when enhanced with mods. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they effectively support the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable for both new and returning players.

    • “The graphics are a bit dated by 2025 standards, especially the original textures, but the art design still holds up.”
    • “While textures and indoor geometry show their 2013 age, the visuals remain 'good enough' for the fast-paced action and stealth gameplay.”
    • “Visually, Payday 2 may not be cutting-edge by modern standards, but it has a distinct and gritty art style that suits its urban crime setting.”
    • “The game's 2013 graphics show their age—textures, character models, and indoor geometry can feel low-detail or blocky.”
    • “That still does not make up for the fact that even on extremely powerful PCs, you cannot play this game on decent graphics without crashing to desktop or the game freezing, forcing you to restart.”
    • “The graphics are showing their age, the UI can be a mess, and some of the systems are unnecessarily complex or grindy.”
  • music
    4,894 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Payday 2" is widely praised for its dynamic and adrenaline-pumping soundtrack, primarily composed by Simon Viklund, which enhances the game's intense heist atmosphere. Players appreciate how the music shifts in response to gameplay events, building tension during stealth and escalating during police assaults, making each heist feel cinematic and engaging. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's standout features, often cited as a primary reason for its enduring popularity and replayability.

    • “The soundtrack is top-tier and adds so much to the adrenaline rush — it makes every moment feel cinematic.”
    • “Honestly, even after hundreds of hours, the soundtrack still pumps me up like it’s my first job.”
    • “The music dynamically shifts depending on the situation, adding to the immersion.”
    • “Payday 3 is a complete failure that for all its fun gameplay has no content, boring skill trees, and lacks the same satisfaction 2 had on nearly every level, whether it was the music, perks, or even just securing the loot.”
    • “Very repetitive game that boils down to a shooting gallery with video game music in the background...”
    • “The music is extremely repetitive and can become annoying after a while, especially during long heists.”
  • humor
    3,007 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Payday 2" is a standout feature, with players frequently praising its absurdity and comedic elements, particularly when playing with friends. The game is filled with funny dialogue, quirky character interactions, and hilarious glitches that enhance the chaotic gameplay experience. Many reviews highlight how even failures during heists can lead to laughter, making it a memorable and entertaining experience overall.

    • “It's one of those rare games that can make even failure entertaining — when a heist goes wrong, it’s usually hilarious and chaotic in the best way possible.”
    • “The character interactions and dialogue are pretty good and funny at times.”
    • “It's a funny game that lacks a bit in replayability if you are playing with a highly skilled group.”
    • “Good, but the Overkill team is really unfunny with vine-level jokes. Also, 2 non-DLC snipers? Cash grab of the century.”
    • “It's not funny; they try to be funny, but it's not funny at all.”
    • “Great game to have fun with other players, but when you play it for 100+ hours, it becomes boring and not funny anymore because you're playing the same things all the time.”
  • grinding
    2,171 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of "Payday 2" has received mixed reviews from players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. Players often find themselves repeating the same heists to level up, unlock gear, and earn in-game currency, which can lead to a sense of monotony and frustration, especially when combined with the game's reliance on random drops for weapon modifications and cosmetics. While some enjoy the grind as part of the game's progression and find it rewarding, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, particularly in solo play where the lack of engaging content can make the grind feel even more pronounced.

    • “This game makes the grind exhilarating: you aren't grinding just so you can get a higher level or more cash but also get more efficient.”
    • “Fun and varied missions make it seem like you aren't grinding the same mission over and over.”
    • “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.”
    • “Tired, tedious gameplay.”
    • “Very grindy, enemy AI is stupid, limited strategy.”
    • “To end this, this game can be fun, but it takes too long to get to that with too much grind and it will quickly become tedious and annoying even after you max out.”
  • replayability
    2,104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Payday 2 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its diverse range of heists, customizable loadouts, and the ability to approach missions in various ways, whether through stealth or aggressive tactics. The game's dynamic elements, such as randomized objectives and layouts, ensure that no two playthroughs are the same, keeping players engaged for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours. While some players note that the extensive DLC can be a barrier, many agree that the base game still offers substantial replay value, especially when played with friends.

    • “The variety of missions and approaches—from stealthy infiltration to full-on assault—adds great replayability.”
    • “Extremely replayable with the insane amount of different weapons, skills, and perks; making wildly different builds.”
    • “The game's mechanics are solid, and the variety of heists, weapons, and customization options provide plenty of replay value.”
    • “The replayability is there only for the grind, and once you memorize every map and tricks on every mission, there would be no replayability left. But don't worry, by the time you do that, you would be already maxed out on everything.”
    • “It honestly was pretty fun for a while, but got stale right after; it lacks replayability and just becomes repetitive.”
    • “The game has hundreds of hours of replay value, and is constantly updated for improvements such as new heists, weapons, characters, and bug fixes.”
  • stability
    1,786 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of "Payday 2" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many citing persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes that detract from the overall experience. While some players find the game's chaotic nature and occasional glitches amusing, others express frustration over game-breaking issues that can ruin missions and lead to lost progress. Despite these challenges, many still recommend the game for its engaging gameplay, especially when played with friends, though they advise potential buyers to be prepared for a buggy experience.

    • “It's smooth, runs great, and has a variety of different things for me to try/do.”
    • “Awesome game, it runs great even on more lower end computers and delivers the entertainment that many heisters like me love.”
    • “The game runs great, plays great and is a ton of fun.”
    • “I really don't know how after all these years you still have simple day one glitches and you want mad money for it. The whole game is worth $20, DLC included. When you put it at that price, people will buy again.”
    • “Ruined the game with the EGS integrations update that turned it into a buggy mess. Crashes regularly and has major performance issues on more than capable hardware.”
    • “Terrible state of the game right now. It freezes randomly, it doesn't matter what you're doing; even just being in the main menu, the game will still freeze. If you're hosting the game, you will force everyone out of your mission when you freeze.”
  • optimization
    1,233 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly on newer maps and during intense gameplay scenarios. While some users note that the game runs well on lower-end systems, others experience frequent crashes, frame rate drops, and lag, even on high-end hardware. Overall, the game's optimization is often criticized as poor, with many suggesting that mods are necessary to improve stability and performance.

    • “Based on my and my friends' experience, it's mostly due to the engine the game is built on and can somewhat vary based on computer performance (you can run this thing on a potato, just make sure that you have decent internet connection if playing with friends).”
    • “The game is well-optimized, so even older computers can run it smoothly.”
    • “On the optimization side, Payday 2 performs smoothly, even on older setups, and is surprisingly stable, which is impressive given the game’s scale and number of elements in each heist.”
    • “The game itself runs awful and all a recent 'optimization' update did for me is straight up make the game crash after loading every single heist.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized, which is especially unacceptable when you consider the fact that its graphical fidelity is less than that of Black Ops 2 (not very impressive).”
    • “The game is a buggy, unoptimized mess, but damn it all if it wasn't the most fun co-op shooter I've ever played, both solo, in pubs, and with friends.”
  • atmosphere
    263 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Payday 2" is widely praised for its immersive and gritty portrayal of heists, enhanced by strong sound design and a dynamic soundtrack that heightens tension during gameplay. While the graphics may not be cutting-edge, the detailed environments and character models effectively capture the essence of the criminal underworld, making players feel like they are part of an action movie. Overall, the combination of atmospheric visuals, engaging soundscapes, and cooperative gameplay creates a unique and thrilling experience that resonates with fans of heist narratives.

    • “The atmosphere and music add a lot to the experience and make it easy to lose track of time while playing.”
    • “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 audio and visual design contribute to its immersive and gritty atmosphere.”
    • “Environments lack detail and atmosphere, while character models and animations are stiff and lackluster.”
    • “Overkill destroyed the original atmosphere of professional heisters and the charm the original crew had.”
    • “This makes for a rather bad atmosphere and gameplay once the alarm goes off.”
  • emotional
    241 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional responses to the game are deeply mixed, with players expressing a range of feelings from joy and nostalgia to frustration and heartbreak. Many players feel a strong emotional connection to the game and its community, often citing moments that made them cry or feel a sense of belonging. However, there is also significant disappointment regarding the game's monetization practices and perceived decline, leading some to feel betrayed and unwilling to engage with the franchise further.

    • “This game made me feel emotions like never before, such as happiness, sadness, anger, rage, grief, despair, depression, and many more.”
    • “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.”
    • “I cried so hard when the dentist said it's dentisting time and dentist'ed all over Dallas.”
  • character development
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highly praised for its extensive progression system and skill trees, allowing players to specialize in various playstyles, from stealthy approaches to aggressive tactics. The unique character designs and detailed environments enhance the immersive experience, while frequent updates introduce new development paths and customization options. Overall, players appreciate the depth and flexibility in character development, which significantly contributes to the game's replayability and enjoyment.

    • “The game's progression system and extensive skill trees offer plenty of options for character development and specialization.”
    • “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.”
    • “The character development has plenty of different avenues, giving you boosts to different types of play within the game, e.g., stealth, intimidation, and plenty more.”
    • “This game was better in 2014; now it has no climate at all. Heists don't present any challenge, and character development is what makes this game so chaotic and not instinctive.”
    • “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.”
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78%Critics’ scoreBased on 27 critic reviews
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125h Median play time
334h Average play time
27h Main story
495h Completionist
24-500h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 811 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Payday 2 is a tactical role playing shooter game.

Payday 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 27 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 495 hours to finish. On average players spend around 334 hours playing Payday 2.

Payday 2 was released on August 13, 2013.

Payday 2 was developed by OVERKILL - a Starbreeze Studio..

Payday 2 has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game 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.