This review isn't about the servers. They fixed that and any issues you still have with it are on your end.

For reference, I'm level 100 with just over 100 hours. I've played both The Heist and 2 on launch and for numerous hours going forward.

This game needed another year of development. Full stop. It's very clear Starbreeze is extremely close to bankruptcy and needed this game shoved out the door immediately. This was a very, very bad move on their behalf. The damage that this launch has done will most likely never recover to the pre-launch hype as this game is constantly bleeding players every single day. They knew they can do the modern gaming thing where you can "just patch it later" so why would they care? As it stands, Payday 2 has almost triple the number of active players to 3. I've seen threads upon threads saying that people are dropping 3 in general to pick up 2 again, and there's a good reason for this.

What fundamentally killed this game for almost everyone, outside technical issues, is the absolutely horrid challenge system they have in place currently to increase player level, or as I like to call it: the chore list.

In this game you don't get to play the way you want. Ever. You're going to play how Starbreeze wants you to and if you deviate in ANY way, you're punished by getting no XP. Oh you just stealthed the hardest heist in the game on overkill? Here's 300k and a slap in the face. What the actual hell were they thinking with this? The Heist had this figured out back in 2011, and 2 reinforced upon it. The devs have also said that they're "happy" with this current system and we may not see it revised for a long, long time. There is no negotiation, this system needs to be change immediately or this game will fail. It's not fun. It's tedious and creates this looming feeling that anything you do in the game has no reason behind it.

Fun fact! Did you know Starbreeze outsourced all their in-game models to a company that has only worked on bad mobile games? That's the reason why all the civvies look horrendous and the dozer has a brand new look not similar to The Heist or 2.


In Payday 2 / The Heist, armour exists to give you a brief advantage over the cops.

Health exists as a finite, extremely important resource that needed to be managed, armour needs to be closely monitored to protect it.

Armour constantly regenerates because you get shot an obscene amount of times over the course of a single loud heist.

If you run out of health, you’re in trouble, but still have a shot. If you’re extremely careful, you can lean on your armour to survive (with absolutely zero room for error). This was a fun gameplay mechanic that allowed for fun last minutes rushes and escapes by the skin of your teeth.

This doesn’t exist anymore.

Making both health and armour finite dilutes the importance of both. They’re basically both the exact same, why would I ever take health? It also gives the player no room for error when they run out of both.

In PD3 when out of armour and low on health, you are completely ♥♥♥♥♥♥. Your options are the following:

a.) Challenge the cops, get shot once, instantly die.

b.) Hide in a corner until the cops push you, instantly die.

In most modern shooters, your health will recharge to give you a chance in your next encounter, even if it’s slim. Payday 3 is PvE, and it makes no sense at all that it doesn’t give you the same grace as most PvP shooter games.

The new armour system doesn’t work, and worst of all, is less fun. It needs to change.


TLDR: Starbreeze messed up big time. I'll be putting this game away for a while but keeping a close eye on it. There's just no reason to keep playing when 2 exists. I'm sure this game will achieve something great like 2, but none of us want to wait 4-5 years to get there.

Also, turn off crossplay if you can. 99% of console players I matched with were legit braindead. They'll wait for the lobby timer to run out without readying and they'll hold you hostage by not exiting the level with everyone or not doing a damn thing all heist. Very cool Starbreeze! I'm so glad we don't have vote kick and you had to delay the launch patch for console regulation.

[h1]This is a robbery! - Starbreeze[/h1] This review isn't about the servers. They fixed that and any issues you still have with it are on your end. For reference, I'm level 100 with just over 100 hours. I've played both The Heist and 2 on launch and for numerous hours going forward. This game needed another year of development. Full stop. It's very clear Starbreeze is extremely close to bankruptcy and needed this game shoved out the door immediately. This was a very, very bad move on their behalf. The damage that this launch has done will most likely never recover to the pre-launch hype as this game is constantly bleeding players every single day. They knew they can do the modern gaming thing where you can "just patch it later" so why would they care? As it stands, Payday 2 has almost triple the number of active players to 3. I've seen threads upon threads saying that people are dropping 3 in general to pick up 2 again, and there's a good reason for this. What fundamentally killed this game for almost everyone, outside technical issues, is the absolutely horrid challenge system they have in place currently to increase player level, or as I like to call it: the chore list. In this game you don't get to play the way you want. Ever. You're going to play how Starbreeze wants you to and if you deviate in ANY way, you're punished by getting no XP. Oh you just stealthed the hardest heist in the game on overkill? Here's 300k and a slap in the face. What the actual hell were they thinking with this? The Heist had this figured out back in 2011, and 2 reinforced upon it. The devs have also said that they're "happy" with this current system and we may not see it revised for a long, long time. [b]There is no negotiation, this system needs to be change immediately or this game will fail. It's not fun. It's tedious and creates this looming feeling that anything you do in the game has no reason behind it.[/b] Fun fact! Did you know Starbreeze outsourced all their in-game models to a company that has only worked on bad mobile games? That's the reason why all the civvies look horrendous and the dozer has a brand new look not similar to The Heist or 2. [h2]Medic bag? Hope you like armour.[/h2] In Payday 2 / The Heist, armour exists to give you a brief advantage over the cops. Health exists as a finite, extremely important resource that needed to be managed, armour needs to be closely monitored to protect it. Armour constantly regenerates because you get shot an obscene amount of times over the course of a single loud heist. If you run out of health, you’re in trouble, but still have a shot. If you’re extremely careful, you can lean on your armour to survive (with absolutely zero room for error). This was a fun gameplay mechanic that allowed for fun last minutes rushes and escapes by the skin of your teeth. This doesn’t exist anymore. Making both health and armour finite dilutes the importance of both. They’re basically both the exact same, why would I ever take health? It also gives the player no room for error when they run out of both. In PD3 when out of armour and low on health, you are completely fucked. Your options are the following: a.) Challenge the cops, get shot once, instantly die. b.) Hide in a corner until the cops push you, instantly die. In most modern shooters, your health will recharge to give you a chance in your next encounter, even if it’s slim. Payday 3 is PvE, and it makes no sense at all that it doesn’t give you the same grace as most PvP shooter games. The new armour system doesn’t work, and worst of all, is less fun. It needs to change. [h2]Bain didn't die for this.[/h2] TLDR: Starbreeze messed up big time. I'll be putting this game away for a while but keeping a close eye on it. There's just no reason to keep playing when 2 exists. I'm sure this game will achieve something great like 2, but none of us want to wait 4-5 years to get there. Also, turn off crossplay if you can. 99% of console players I matched with were legit braindead. They'll wait for the lobby timer to run out without readying and they'll hold you hostage by not exiting the level with everyone or not doing a damn thing all heist. Very cool Starbreeze! I'm so glad we don't have vote kick and you had to delay the launch patch for console regulation.