RAID: World War II

The gameplay of "Raid: WWII" is often compared to "Payday 2," with many reviewers noting that it shares similar mechanics but lacks the depth and polish of its predecessor. While some players appreciate the game's unique elements and cooperative aspects, others criticize it for being repetitive, poorly optimized, and plagued by bugs, leading to a less satisfying experience overall. Despite its flaws, the game can be enjoyable in a group setting, especially for fans of the heist genre, but it may not meet the expectations set by "Payday 2."

The graphics of the game have been widely criticized as outdated and subpar, often compared to titles from the early 2000s, with many reviewers noting that they fall short of even previous entries in the Payday series. While some players appreciate the game's aesthetic and animations, the general consensus is that the visuals are a significant drawback, detracting from the overall experience. Despite the dated graphics, a few players argue that the gameplay can still be enjoyable if one can overlook the visual shortcomings.

The humor in the game is widely praised for its campy and dark comedic elements, particularly through the inclusion of humorous cutscenes featuring Hitler and witty character banter. Players appreciate the game's lighthearted approach to serious themes, with many finding the dialogue and interactions genuinely funny, although some note that the humor can become repetitive. Overall, the game successfully blends absurdity with its WWII setting, making it an entertaining experience for those who enjoy a comedic twist in gameplay.

The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players finding the leveling and weapon upgrade systems excessively tedious and time-consuming. Many reviews highlight that the grind becomes particularly frustrating at higher levels, often requiring players to repeat missions and challenges for minimal rewards, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some acknowledge potential improvements from ongoing updates, the current state of grinding is seen as a significant barrier to a satisfying gameplay experience.

The stability of "Raid: World War II" is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly impact gameplay. While some improvements have been noted since its launch, many still experience issues such as freezing, desyncing in multiplayer, and AI problems, leading to a consensus that the game remains quite unstable. Overall, while there are signs of progress, the game is still considered a buggy mess reminiscent of its predecessor, "Payday 2," at launch.

The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it bland, generic, and repetitive, lacking the high-energy feel that characterizes soundtracks in similar titles like Payday 2. While some appreciate the orchestral elements that evoke a classic war movie atmosphere, others feel it fails to enhance the gameplay experience, often becoming forgettable and uninspiring. Overall, the soundtrack does not meet the expectations set by its predecessors, leaving players wanting more variety and excitement.

The game's optimization has seen significant improvements since its rocky launch nearly seven years ago, with recent updates addressing many performance issues and stuttering. However, players still report ongoing problems such as crashes, long loading times, and inconsistent performance across different hardware setups, leading to mixed opinions on its overall optimization quality. While some users find it runs smoothly now, others continue to experience severe optimization issues that detract from the gameplay experience.

The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising the revamped skill system, diverse classes, and unique weapons that encourage experimentation and replay. However, others criticize the lack of challenge in raids and limited mission variety, leading to a perception of diminished replay value compared to similar games like Payday. Overall, while there are elements that support replayability, many feel it falls short in providing sustained engagement.

The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for its perceived cash grab nature, with players feeling misled by inadequate advertising and a lack of communication at launch. Many reviewers express disappointment over the absence of microtransactions at release, while also highlighting the game's failure to attract a broader audience beyond the Payday 2 community. Overall, the sentiment suggests that poor marketing strategies and execution have contributed to a negative perception of the game's monetization approach.

The atmosphere of the game is praised for its old-fashioned war movie vibe, enhanced by a fitting orchestral soundtrack and strong voice acting that adds distinct personalities to characters. While some missions create a compelling sense of panic and immersion, others suffer from outdated graphics and a lack of overall atmosphere, leading to mixed feelings about the game's ability to evoke a sense of achievement. Overall, the game successfully captures a unique and humorous WWII ambiance, though inconsistencies in execution can detract from the experience.

The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players feeling heartened by its growth from a low player count to a more stable community, while others express deep disappointment, describing the game as "awful" and "soulless." This dichotomy highlights a sense of nostalgia and longing for improvement amidst feelings of frustration and sadness.