PAYDAY 3: Year 1 Edition

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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…

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42%

Audience ScoreBased on 37,183 reviews

gameplay2.1k positive mentions

grinding677 negative mentions

gameplay
5,464 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
55%
6%
The gameplay of "Payday 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its improvements over "Payday 2," particularly in stealth mechanics and gunplay. While the core gameplay loop is engaging and offers a more refined experience, issues such as a lack of content, a frustrating progression system tied to challenges, and persistent server problems have marred the overall experience. Players appreciate the new mechanics and visual upgrades but express disappointment over the absence of features that made its predecessor beloved, leading to a sense of incompleteness in the current state of the game.
- “The gameplay is fantastic, the flow, the guns, its all great.”
- “The gameplay itself is a blast.”
- “The gameplay is engaging and grounded, enemies are no longer big bullet sponges and stealth is reworked to be much better.”
- “The gameplay was so stale and horrid compared to Payday 2, my friends realized how boring I was as a person in calls because the gameplay didn't distract them enough!”
- “Gameplay is a step up from Payday 2 in every way and feels like a sequel to Payday: The Heist rather than Payday 2, everything outside of the gameplay is pretty scuffed and needs improvements though.”
- “The gameplay loop is tiresome, and the progression system is a mess.”
story
3,465 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
82%
7%
The story in "Payday 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it underwhelming and lacking depth compared to its predecessor, "Payday 2." While the game attempts to present a cohesive narrative through cutscenes and character interactions, critics argue that the storytelling feels simplistic and often disconnected from the gameplay, with many missions feeling repetitive and uninspired. Overall, players express a desire for more engaging content and character development to enhance the narrative experience.
- “The story is engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot filled with unexpected twists and turns.”
- “The missions have a lot of variety especially since all but 1 of the current missions also include the option of completion in stealth.”
- “The storyline, much like a promising blossom that withers and dies before it can reach its full potential, proves to be a vacuous and insipid affair, a hollow shell devoid of substance and meaning.”
- “The plot is as shallow as a puddle, and the dialogue is so cringeworthy that it feels like the writers gave up halfway through.”
- “The story feels a bit like they had no idea of what they were doing honestly but let's see where it goes.”
- “The story is incredibly dull and lifeless but I won't deny it, I don't care.”
graphics
1,628 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The graphics in "Payday 3" have received significant praise for their improvement over its predecessor, "Payday 2," showcasing stunning visuals, detailed environments, and enhanced animations that create a more immersive experience. However, many players have noted that despite these graphical advancements, the game suffers from performance issues and lacks the depth and content of "Payday 2," leading to mixed feelings about its overall quality. While the graphics are a highlight, they alone do not compensate for the perceived downgrades in gameplay and content.
- “The graphics are absolutely stunning, with incredibly detailed environments that make each heist feel immersive and unique.”
- “The graphics are great, the maps have more complexity.”
- “The graphics are amazing, the combat is amazing but it almost feels a bit cartoony even.”
- “In terms of graphics optimization, this game has terrible DirectX 11 support.”
- “The only upgrade from Payday 2 is the graphics - even the NPC AI is the same, no difference at all in gameplay.”
- “Everything about this game feels worse than Payday 2 with the exception of better graphics and weapon handling.”
music
900 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The music in "Payday 3" has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack's energy and composition by Gustavo Coutinho, which captures the heist atmosphere well. However, several players express disappointment over the lack of music selection options and the absence of iconic tracks from "Payday 2," feeling that the new music doesn't quite match the intensity and memorability of its predecessor. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally considered good, it is often viewed as a step down from the previous games in the series.
- “The soundtrack is amazing, bringing back the nostalgic vibes of Payday 2’s original soundtrack.”
- “Payday 3 feels like you are playing in a heist movie, with the immersive and amazing soundtrack, diverse approaches to heists and widely varying roles that result in a vastly varied team dynamic.”
- “The music is wonderful, bringing a really gritty and enjoyable backdrop to every heist.”
- “The music is eh, there's no emphasis on it, I barely notice it's there until I hear noises that make me think a cloaker is coming up on me before realizing it's just the song.”
- “What isn't acceptable is the fact that the music sounds like someone was forced to listen to 3 Payday 2 songs and then forced to recreate them.”
- “The soundtrack in the game is fine but it really lacks the adrenaline and intensity of the prior games.”
grinding
712 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
95%
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 from successfully finishing heists, leading to a repetitive and unfulfilling gameplay loop. Players express dissatisfaction with the need to grind for weapon upgrades and character levels, often feeling forced to engage in monotonous tasks that detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “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.”
- “Depends on how much you like grinding.”
- “The grind was tedious, and the reward was non-existing.”
- “The progression system is grindy, buggy, and just plain tedious.”
- “You need to research most skills which makes the game feel more grindy than it already is.”
optimization
676 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
51%
33%
The optimization of "Payday 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and poor server stability, particularly at launch. While some users have noted improvements in performance after updates and tweaks, such as enabling DirectX 12, the overall consensus is that the game still requires substantial optimization to meet player expectations, especially on high-end hardware. Many reviewers recommend waiting for further updates before fully committing to the game due to its current state of optimization.
- “The game is very well-optimized, resulting in a smooth gameplay experience.”
- “The performance has also improved nicely and it feels great.”
- “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.”
- “In terms of graphics optimization, this game has terrible DirectX 11 support.”
- “The game launched in a very poor state, with a wide variety of issues such as unstable servers, online only, bugs, optimization issues, counterintuitive progression system, general lack of content, and so much more.”
- “The optimization of this game is terrible; my specs are way above what is needed to run this game on low settings, and yet I need a literal engine fix mod that makes the game look like shit.”
stability
517 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
1%
93%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with many users describing it as a "buggy mess" that launched in an unfinished state. While some players note improvements over time, issues such as server instability, frequent crashes, and various glitches continue to plague the experience, making it frustrating for many. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game is not yet ready for a full recommendation, with many advising potential players to wait for further updates and fixes.
- “It's a lot better, not buggy, good servers, more realistic, great gunplay, and satisfying heists.”
- “Completely bug free since launch.”
- “When the servers are up and running, the game runs great and is amazing.”
- “What was once a thrilling, action-packed experience has now devolved into an uninspired, buggy mess that feels like a hollow cash grab.”
- “The game is a buggy mess at launch with constant crashing, XP not being given after heists, and challenges being reset after completion.”
- “This game is a scam heist simulator, where the developers steal your money and give you an outsourced, buggy, soulless and unfinished mess of a game.”
replayability
391 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
58%
18%
Overall, "Payday 3" has received mixed reviews regarding its replayability. While some players find the heists enjoyable and appreciate the option for different playstyles, many criticize the limited number of heists and lack of randomization, which leads to a repetitive experience. Comparisons to its predecessor, "Payday 2," highlight a significant decline in replay value, with many players expressing concerns that the game may not sustain long-term interest without substantial content updates.
- “Despite the rocky start to this game with its above terrible release, the devs since then have worked hard to restore a lot of what made Payday 2 a great, fun, and replayable game to Payday 3.”
- “The high adaptability of the missions, combined with the satisfaction of perfect execution, makes replayability strong, especially with a reliable group of friends.”
- “With diverse heists and ongoing updates, Payday 3 offers substantial replay value.”
- “Replayability is basically nonexistent beyond giving each of the few heists a try in loud and stealth, when available.”
- “3/10 unmemorable heists and bland gameplay with zero replay value can’t be fixed by better graphics and animations.”
- “The biggest issue for me is the lack of replayability.”
monetization
385 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
45%
52%
The monetization strategy of "Payday 3" has drawn widespread criticism, with many players labeling it a blatant cash grab. Concerns center around the anticipated introduction of microtransactions and DLCs that seem to prioritize profit over player experience, echoing frustrations from its predecessor, "Payday 2." While some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions at launch, the overall sentiment is that the game is designed to push players towards spending more money, undermining the enjoyment and value of the base game.
- “Plus there are no (necessary) microtransactions; you can grind for the things you want pretty fast and cosmetics are what they should be, cosmetics.”
- “Thankfully, there are no microtransactions in the game (yet) and you can earn weapons, attachments, masks, outfits, and assets by using the in-game money earned from heists.”
- “40 euro game combined with no in-game shop, no premium currency, and no microtransactions is very rare to come by in modern gaming, and you have to applaud and support when these games are released.”
- “This game is just a paid advertisement for Payday 2; I really wanted this game to do well.”
- “Starbreeze has once again demonstrated their insatiable greed with a barrage of microtransactions and DLC packs that add little more than cosmetic fluff.”
- “This game feels like an absolute cash grab and instead of doing some cool stuff with the story, you guys just wrote in 'Shade' and gave no explanation to her besides she promised Bain she'd cover the Payday gang's backs.”
humor
317 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in "Payday 3" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the chaotic and often absurd moments that arise from bugs and glitches, which they find entertaining. However, some feel that the game has lost the lighthearted charm and comedic elements that characterized its predecessor, "Payday 2," leading to a more serious tone that detracts from the fun. Overall, while there are still funny moments and engaging voice lines, many players long for a return to the more whimsical and humorous aspects of the earlier games.
- “Just make sure you have a good sense of humor, because it’s only a matter of time before someone’s accidentally shot the hostage or run into the vault with a fire extinguisher instead of a drill.”
- “The game is a lot of fun and makes for amazing gameplay and funny moments with your friends!”
- “In summary, Payday 3 is a unique blend of strategy, action, and criminal madness, all served with a healthy dose of dark humor.”
- “But this is some unfunny joke.”
- “This game is so unfinished and unfunny; I'm better off playing Payday 2 than this.”
- “The game is so laggy it's unbelievable and unfunny; you can't do anything, and when you try to stealth, you just lag 5 steps ahead and 'accidentally' trigger the alarm.”
emotional
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The emotional responses to the game reveal a deep sense of disappointment and heartbreak among players, particularly regarding its perceived decline from previous installments. Many express feelings of loss and frustration over the game's lackluster updates, poor design choices, and the absence of meaningful content, leading to a longing for the emotional engagement and excitement that earlier titles provided. Overall, the reviews convey a strong sentiment of emotional investment turned to disillusionment, with players yearning for a return to the game's former glory.
- “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?”
- “In a scintillating odyssey marred by emotional highs and lows, Payday 3 unfolds as a whirlwind of heart-pounding excitement!”
- “Although I didn't like it, the heists counterpart is miles better than this scroll system intertwined with boring story elements.”
- “Boring story.”
atmosphere
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
48%
10%
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the improved graphics, dynamic lighting, and immersive sound design that enhance the overall experience, particularly during heists. While some feel that the atmosphere has become more vibrant and alive, others express disappointment over the loss of iconic elements from previous titles. Overall, the game is noted for its cinematic quality and engaging environments, though some players find certain aspects detract from the immersive experience.
- “The dynamic lighting and atmospheric effects enhance the immersion, creating a convincing backdrop for heist operations.”
- “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.”
- “Visually very appealing, graphics are very nice, the environment and atmosphere are nicely updated.”
- “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 development
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
55%
14%
Character development in "Payday 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of engaging narratives and depth in character backstories compared to its predecessor. While some appreciate the improved character designs and aesthetics, others criticize the overall regression in customization and RPG elements, leading to a feeling of disconnect from the characters. Overall, there is a strong desire for more meaningful character development to enhance emotional connections within the game.
- “The character development is both relatable and godly in its execution, making you care about the fate of your crew.”
- “Complex character development.”
- “If you haven't played the first one but played the second, it's a fairly basic shooter that takes away a lot of the customization and RPG aspects of character development - a huge, huge regression in many regards except from the aesthetics.”
- “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.”