Payday 2 - Nintendo Switch Edition | Game Brain

Payday 2 - Nintendo Switch Edition Game Cover

About

PAYDAY 2 is an action-packed, four-player co-op shooter that once again lets gamers don the masks of the original PAYDAY crew – Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf and Chains – as they descend on Washington DC for an epic crime spree. Up to four friends co-operate on each heist, and as the crew progresses the heists get bigger, better and more rewarding. Along with earning more money and becoming an infamous cr…

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Payday 2 - Nintendo Switch Edition screenshot

Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews

story3 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

Old missions and core gameplay still feel good after all these years.
Co-op heists reward strategic cooperation and offer chaotic turns of events.
Large variety of heists and customization options keep the gameplay fresh.

Visually underwhelming with regular performance issues.
AI-controlled characters are generally ineffective partners.
Lacks quality-of-life updates and extra features found on other platforms.

gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay of Payday 2 is characterized by its action-packed, cooperative heists that encourage strategic teamwork and offer a variety of play styles, supported by a substantial amount of content. However, some players feel that the core mechanics have aged poorly, leading to repetitive and tedious experiences, particularly in the context of modern gaming standards. Despite these criticisms, the game maintains a solid upgrade loop and performs well on the Switch, though it suffers from outdated visuals and technical issues.
- “Old missions and core gameplay still feel good after all these years; co-op heists reward strategic cooperation and dish out chaotic turns of events.”
- “Action-packed gameplay that can be tackled using different styles, with a lot of content.”
- “A huge number of heists to take on, still has a great play and upgrade gameplay loop, solid performance on Switch, HD rumble, ad hoc multiplayer, and touchscreen menu support.”
- “Payday 2’s devotion to its core gameplay mantra makes it a unique way to team up with other players on Switch, but it does seal the game’s mechanics in a time capsule that only serves to noticeably age it when seen through the prism of 2018.”
- “Gameplay is often tedious and repetitive.”
- “The port is out of date.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The optimization of the game, particularly on the Nintendo Switch, has received criticism for its visually underwhelming graphics, regular performance issues, and lack of quality-of-life updates compared to other platforms. Users noted that AI-controlled characters are ineffective, and the overall experience feels outdated and overpriced, making it less appealing for those seeking a polished FPS experience. While some features like HD rumble and touchscreen support are appreciated, they do not compensate for the significant shortcomings in performance and content.
- “Huge number of heists to take on, still has a great play and upgrade gameplay loop.”
- “Solid performance on Switch, HD rumble, ad hoc multiplayer, and touchscreen menu support.”
- “Unfortunately, when it comes to the Nintendo Switch version, the price, performance, and the fact that content is lacking behind versions that have been out for years will only make it worth purchasing for gamers who are desperate for a new FPS on the go.”
- “Poor performance, excessive price, behind console/PC versions, no voice chat.”
- “Gameplay is often tedious and repetitive, the port is out of date, mediocre visuals and performance issues, lack of voice chat, grotesquely overpriced.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The story aspect of the game is centered around engaging heist missions that emphasize strategic cooperation and dynamic gameplay, appealing to both new players and veterans. While the core gameplay remains enjoyable, the absence of a year's worth of updates at launch raises concerns about the game's value, despite the inclusion of exciting DLC missions. Overall, the narrative experience is enriched by a diverse mix of missions and a robust progression system.
- “The inclusion of many of the game’s far more exciting DLC missions as standard does make its diverse mix of heists a more tantalizing prospect for new adopters.”
- “The relatively smooth port means it's a great way to experience the FPS on a handheld.”
- “Comprehensive and intense heist missions provide a large variety of weapons and other equipment.”
- “The inclusion of many of the game’s far more exciting DLC missions as standard does make its diverse mix of heists a more tantalizing prospect for new adopters, but with the game launching with a year's worth of updates and content missing, its relatively high price tag sticks out like a sore thumb.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The graphics of the game have been widely criticized for being mediocre and outdated, with many users describing the visuals as terrible and feeling poorly adapted for the platform. Performance issues further detract from the experience, contributing to an overall sense of disappointment in the game's visual presentation.
- “Mediocre visuals and performance issues.”
- “The port is out of date.”
- “Terrible visuals, feels phoned in.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and repetitive, often requiring them to grind for randomized weapon attachments. Additionally, the outdated port and performance issues contribute to a frustrating experience, further diminishing enjoyment. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing other gameplay elements.
- “Gameplay is often tedious and repetitive.”
- “Grinding for randomized weapon attachments is frustrating.”
- “The port is out of date, which adds to the overall grind.”