PAYDAY 3: Year 1 Edition

44%
Game Brain Score Based on 27,622 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
PAYDAY 3: Year 1 Edition Game Cover
Payday 3 is designed around those emergent moments that only come with friends, when you're trying desperately to stay in control.
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The PAYDAY 3: Year 1 Edition offers everything needed to get started in the heisting world. The Year 1 Edition includes all major content releases, along with the many free updates and improvements released over the game’s first year. It features: - The base game Payday 3 - Payday 3 Year 1 Pass: The Season Pass includes four major DLC bundles - Syntax Error, Boys in Blue, Houston Breakout and Fe…

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

44%
Audience ScoreBased on 27,622 reviews
gameplay1,591 positive mentions
grinding507 negative mentions
  • gameplay4,075 mentions

    The gameplay in "Payday 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the improved mechanics, particularly in stealth, which allows for more dynamic and engaging heists. However, the game suffers from a lack of content, with only a handful of heists available at launch, and a frustrating progression system that ties experience gain to arbitrary challenges rather than gameplay performance. While the core gameplay loop is enjoyable and offers a solid foundation for future updates, the always-online requirement and server issues have significantly hindered the overall experience.

    • “Interesting story, good gameplay, plenty of customization.”
    • “The stealth mechanics, animations, movement, and gunplay are definitely a step above from Payday 2, and that makes it a decently fun experience.”
    • “The gameplay is great, there is tons of quality of life to make this game feel more meaty, the soundtrack is amazing, all of the guns are fun to play with, as are the skill trees in this game.”
    • “Despite four tutorials, a lot of game mechanics are left unexplained (especially hostage uses and control phase).”
    • “The gameplay still feels extremely clunky, slowed down like crazy compared to Payday 2, and the game is wildly unfun until you get all the good skills.”
    • “The only real positive of this game is that the gameplay itself feels like a refined Payday 2.”
  • story2,564 mentions

    The story in "Payday 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it underwhelming and simplistic compared to its predecessor, "Payday 2." While the game attempts to provide a coherent narrative through cutscenes and character interactions, critics argue that the storytelling feels shallow and lacks depth, often relying on still images and voiceovers rather than engaging cinematic sequences. Additionally, the limited number of missions (only eight at launch) and the linear progression of the storyline have led to concerns about replayability and overall content richness.

    • “The story is engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot filled with unexpected twists and turns.”
    • “The missions enable many different play styles and the mission objectives and progression vary in interesting ways depending on your approach.”
    • “The storyline cutscenes are just stills with voiceover, and the menu is beautiful but lacking.”
    • “The story is incredibly dull and lifeless, but I won't deny it, I don't care.”
    • “The storyline in 'Payday 3' is an affront to storytelling in video games.”
    • “The characters are wooden caricatures, and the plot is so thin and poorly executed that it’s almost non-existent.”
  • graphics1,240 mentions

    The graphics in "Payday 3" have received significant praise for their improvement over "Payday 2," showcasing enhanced detail, smoother animations, and a more immersive environment thanks to the transition to the Unreal Engine. However, many players express disappointment with the overall performance and optimization, noting issues such as stuttering and lag, particularly on lower-end systems. While the visuals are generally regarded as a highlight, they are often seen as insufficient to compensate for the perceived downgrades in gameplay and content compared to its predecessor.

    • “The graphics are stunning and the gameplay is addictive, making it a must-play for anyone seeking the thrill of high-stakes heists.”
    • “The graphics are a major improvement, and the physics feel a lot more realistic than in Payday 2.”
    • “The graphics look amazing, the gunplay feels fun, and the improvements to stealth are stellar.”
    • “The graphics are a major letdown.”
    • “In an era where gaming visuals are reaching new heights, Payday 3 feels like a relic from a bygone era.”
    • “The character models are bland, the environments lack detail, and the overall aesthetic is uninspired.”
  • music659 mentions

    The music in "Payday 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the soundtrack's quality and energy, particularly highlighting Gustavo Coutinho's contributions. However, a significant number of fans express disappointment over the absence of Simon Viklund's iconic compositions from previous installments, feeling that the new tracks lack the same adrenaline and memorability. Additionally, the inability to select specific songs for heists has been a common complaint, with players longing for the customization options available in "Payday 2."

    • “The music in Payday 3 is gold, as one would expect, and the animations in the game are top tier, with the team clearly having poured loads of heart and soul into designing everything from the weapon inspections to the ability to flip people the bird.”
    • “The pulse-pounding music and immersive sound effects add to the intense atmosphere of each heist, making you feel like a true master of chaos and cunning.”
    • “The soundtrack is a symphony of sound, elevating the experience to a higher plane.”
    • “The soundtrack in the game is fine but it really lacks the adrenaline and intensity of the prior games.”
    • “The music is not as good, which not to crap on the designers and makers of it, they did a good job, but not having Simon Viklund for the music just made it less impactful.”
    • “The only plus point is the music and the fact that you can finally perform actions without using a mask.”
  • grinding528 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Payday 3" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from players, who describe the progression system as excessively tedious and frustrating. Many reviews highlight that experience points (XP) are primarily earned through completing specific challenges rather than through the enjoyment of heists, leading to a repetitive and unfulfilling gameplay loop. Players express disappointment over the slow weapon leveling and the need to grind the same missions repeatedly, often feeling that the game punishes them for not adhering to the developers' preferred playstyle.

    • “The heists are fun, the visuals are amazing, the new mechanics are interesting and fun, and the progression system is easy to understand and not too grindy.”
    • “Further, the challenges quickly become monotonous with gun challenges going to 1000 kills where an average heist gets you 70 kills (if you're not grinding the challenge) and heists require you to play the same level hundreds of times which when optimized can still take hours.”
    • “So if you're not grinding challenges you're making 0 progress.”
    • “Pretty dumb, tedious, and if you ask me, reflects some pretty lazy development.”
    • “The game is extremely grindy that you will be stuck with your beginner guns for a long time until better weaponry can be unlocked, and there's not much you can unlock anyway without DLC.”
    • “The progression system promotes repetitive and grindy gameplay, which is ironically the opposite of what they seem to have been going for.”
  • optimization462 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users noted improvements over time and found the game playable, the consensus is that it launched in a poorly optimized state, lacking essential features and stability. Overall, players are frustrated with the game's performance, particularly given its reliance on an always-online system and the absence of offline play options.

    • “The graphics in the game are fine and I can't complain about the performance.”
    • “The game feels much more optimized since I last played, as in I am getting much smoother quality and I don't experience any lag spikes.”
    • “The game is very well-optimized, resulting in a smooth gameplay experience.”
    • “The game is riddled with bugs and lacks optimization, making it a frustrating experience.”
    • “The optimization is terrible unless you brute force it into DX12 mode.”
    • “Even on a high-end gaming rig, I experienced constant frame drops, stuttering, and lag.”
  • stability372 mentions

    The stability of the game has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting a range of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some users note improvements since launch, including better server performance and fewer game-breaking issues, others still experience frequent crashes, matchmaking problems, and AI inconsistencies. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess" at times, but many players express hope for future updates to address these issues.

    • “It's a lot better, not buggy, good servers, more realistic, great gun-play and satisfying heists.”
    • “After the server update, the game runs great and is lots of fun.”
    • “Beyond the stability of the network, it's generally a bug-free game compared to many other launches.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess with nothing new.”
    • “The game is currently so buggy that even though I've only encountered one game-breaking glitch, the overall state of the game and the forced live service just makes it unenjoyable.”
    • “Game is broken and buggy. It was unplayable at launch, and even now, it is still riddled with bugs and glitches that make it virtually unplayable.”
  • monetization258 mentions

    The monetization strategy of Payday 3 has drawn significant criticism from players, who describe it as a blatant cash grab characterized by an impending influx of microtransactions and overpriced DLC. Many reviewers express disappointment over the game's perceived lack of content and features compared to its predecessor, Payday 2, suggesting that the developers prioritized profit over player experience. While some players note the absence of microtransactions at launch, they remain skeptical about future implementations, fearing that the game is designed to push players towards spending more money to enhance their experience.

    • “Plus there are no (necessary) microtransactions; you can grind for the things you want pretty quickly and cosmetics are what they should be: cosmetics.”
    • “They even gave up a way of monetization (c-stacks) and focused on fixing the many holes this game had when it released, all while adding mostly free content.”
    • “Absence of microtransactions: a notable positive aspect is the absence of microtransaction systems, making the game fairer.”
    • “This game is a cash grab, and nobody involved in making this game actually cares about what they put out.”
    • “It's a prime example of a rushed, poorly executed cash grab that does a disservice to its loyal fanbase.”
    • “The grind to unlock anything meaningful is so egregiously slow that it feels like a deliberate attempt to push players towards microtransactions.”
  • replayability248 mentions

    Overall, "Payday 3" has received mixed reviews regarding its replayability. While some players appreciate the unique heists and the potential for varied playstyles, many criticize the limited number of heists and lack of randomization compared to its predecessor, "Payday 2," leading to a feeling of repetitiveness. The game shows promise for improvement with future updates and DLCs, but currently, many players feel it lacks the depth and variety necessary for sustained replayability.

    • “With a wide variety of heists, multiple difficulty levels, and randomized elements, 'Payday 3' offers endless replayability.”
    • “The heists are well made, some have pretty large maps, and they have quite a bit of replay value.”
    • “The 8 heists currently available are extremely well put together and very replayable.”
    • “A lack of heists is an enormous problem for a game like this because it severely limits replayability.”
    • “The heists are not very replayable; it is the same every time you replay a heist. If you have played Payday: The Heist or Payday 2, the lack of RNG elements in any heist will surprise you. Nothing is different, only small things like code numbers and some rooms, nothing major.”
    • “Very little content in the base game and it is not really replayable once you get through the missions.”
  • humor221 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding enjoyment in the absurd glitches, funny voice lines, and chaotic moments that arise during gameplay. While some appreciate the comedic elements reminiscent of its predecessor, others feel that the humor has diminished, particularly due to the game's serious tone and lack of content. Overall, the game's humor often stems from its technical issues and the interactions between players, making for entertaining yet frustrating experiences.

    • “At times, it ranges from absolutely brain dead to being so smart they can see through walls; honestly hilarious.”
    • “The way civilians act is downright hilarious.”
    • “The voice acting is on point and funny.”
    • “But this is some unfunny joke.”
    • “They removed crime net, character dialogue is boring and unfunny, every gun is locked behind leveling up, skill points are gone, all that is left is the dumb card system, and it feels like the game was meant to be played on Xbox or PlayStation.”
    • “It's not funny, where's the camera?”
  • emotional56 mentions

    The emotional responses to "Payday 3" are overwhelmingly negative, with many players expressing feelings of disappointment and heartbreak over the game's perceived failures compared to its predecessor. Users lament the lack of engaging character development and emotional depth, while also criticizing the frustrating gameplay mechanics and server issues that detract from the overall experience. Despite some nostalgic moments, the consensus is that the game has not lived up to expectations, leaving players feeling emotionally drained and disillusioned.

    • “I was so happy this game finally came out and oh boy, was I in for an emotional roller coaster.”
    • “Who knew that the guy in the clown mask would have such a touching backstory?”
    • “Expanding the lore of the Payday universe and giving more depth to the crew members' backgrounds could help create a stronger emotional connection with players.”
    • “The emotional depth of the story felt shallow and unengaging, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I found the emotional moments to be forced and lacking authenticity, which made it difficult to care about the outcomes.”
    • “The attempts at emotional storytelling fell flat, leaving me feeling indifferent rather than moved.”
  • atmosphere27 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved dynamic lighting, detailed environments, and immersive sound effects that enhance the overall experience. While some players feel that the atmosphere has diminished compared to previous titles, others appreciate the gritty, movie-like quality and the lively elements such as crowds and character interactions. Overall, the game is noted for its visually appealing graphics and engaging atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding other gameplay aspects.

    • “The dynamic lighting and atmospheric effects enhance the immersion, creating a convincing backdrop for heist operations.”
    • “The detailed environments and character models, combined with realistic lighting and shadow effects, create a way more immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The pulse-pounding music and immersive sound effects add to the intense atmosphere of each heist, making you feel like a true master of chaos and cunning.”
    • “The atmosphere is gone.”
    • “Details that added to the atmosphere of Payday, such as the selection of your jobs in the crime net, the video clips before a job, and the all-round rough look of Payday 2, that were so iconic, at least for me, are now gone.”
    • “Great gameplay and atmosphere ruined by poor menu UI, poor matchmaking, poor customization, and poor leveling.”
  • character development15 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising the enhanced backstory and personalities of the main characters, which foster emotional connections, while others express a desire for deeper narratives and more engaging character arcs. The character design has seen improvements, but there are criticisms regarding visibility and specific design choices, such as Hoxton's haircut. Overall, while the graphics and character design have advanced, many feel that the character development still lacks depth and completeness.

    • “The character development is both relatable and godly in its execution, making you care about the fate of your crew.”
    • “Several players have expressed a desire for a more engaging narrative and deeper character development.”
    • “Enhanced character development: developing the backstory and personalities of the main characters could deepen players' emotional connection to the game.”
    • “Only thing they improved are the graphics and character designs, everything else feels incomplete.”
    • “By addressing areas like graphics, heist complexity, character development, AI, community engagement, and balance, Payday 3 could become an even more outstanding title.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

Buy PAYDAY 3: Year 1 Edition

Play time

9hMedian play time
55hAverage play time
5-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 268 analyzed playthroughs

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