Info about PAYDAY 3:

Official game description:
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 Fear & Greed - each introducing a new heist, a variety of weapons, and numerous cosmetics.
*   Preacher pack (including 1 outfit, 1 weapon)
*   Drifter pack (including 1 outfit, 1 weapon)
*   Heavy Hitter pack (including 1 outfit, 1 weapon)
*   Assassin pack (including 1 outfit, 1 weapon)
*   Island skin
*   Dark Sterling Mask
*   Skull of Liberty Mask and Golden Slate Gloves
About the Game
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Step out of retirement back into the life of crime in the shoes of the Payday Gang, the envy of their peers and the nightmare of law-enforcement wherever they go. Several years after the crew’s reign of terror over Washington DC has ended, they assemble once again to deal with the threat that roused them out of early retirement.  
The legendary Payday Crew, dreaded by the law and underworld alike, is back. Ripped from their peaceful retirement to rejoin the criminal world by a new threat, one born from the chaos the Crew left in their wake.  
In order to identify and crush this new threat, the Crew is leaving their Washington DC roots behind them and moving to New York City. A new location will bring with it new challenges, but also new opportunities for a heister with a plan.  
Give outlet to your greed and let loose in PAYDAY 3. In addition to gold, cash and jewelry and any other valuables they might come across, you’ll be able to build a sizable collection of weapons, cosmetics and accolades.  
It won’t be as simple as showing up and gaining goodies. You’ll have to work hard and plan smart to get away with as much loot as possible. Gain experience, unlock new skills and gain proficiency in weapons to steadily grow your power to handle the tougher challenges.  
A professional heister knows it takes planning, hard work and a good amount of luck in order to execute a successful heist. In PAYDAY 3 the choice is put in the hands of the players, deciding how to tackle the heist, whether you sneak or go in guns blazing, whether you let your hostages go or keep them around as pawns, whether you go at it alone or bring friends. The choices are endless and in your hands, they will vastly change how the game plays.  
Not just anyone is worthy of standing at your side for something as important as a heist. Likewise, PAYDAY 3 is best enjoyed with close friends in mind, whether you bring them from your childhood or make them along the road.  
The PAYDAY-series has always valued the bonds made through hardship and tries to reflect that in the actions and words of our heisters while in the game, and through our community while on the outside.

Release date: Sep 21, 2023

Categories: Cooperative Multiplayer, Single-player, Heist Simulation, First-Person Shooter, Stealth Gameplay, Character Progression, Weapon Customization, Strategic Planning


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Improved and engaging stealth mechanics (weight 0.96): Stealth gameplay is significantly improved with mechanics like casing mode, public/private areas, and more interactive actions. Players can perform more actions without a mask, and the transition between stealth and loud approaches feels more natural. These changes make stealth a more viable and enjoyable option.
- Improved graphics and visual fidelity (weight 0.87): Many reviewers note improved graphics, animations, and visual details compared to previous games. The game feels more polished and visually appealing, with some locations approaching AAA quality. The new engine allows for better animations and more detailed environments.
- Satisfying and improved gunplay (weight 0.86): The gunplay is consistently praised for feeling weighty, responsive, and impactful. Weapons have satisfying sound design, animations, and handling, making firefights enjoyable. Many reviewers feel the gunplay is improved compared to previous titles.
- Ongoing improvements and updates (weight 0.8): The developers have been actively working to improve the game with updates, fixes, and new content. Many reviewers feel the game has improved significantly since its initial release, addressing issues and adding new features. The AI has also been improved, making enemies more aggressive and reactive.
- Engaging core heist gameplay (weight 0.64): The core gameplay loop of planning and executing heists with friends remains a strong point. The game offers varied mission strategies and requires more planning, with each heist feeling like a high-stakes operation. The cooperative multiplayer aspect shines, with teamwork being incredibly rewarding.
- Variety of heists and missions (weight 0.48): The game offers a variety of heists with different environments, enemies, and objectives, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. New mechanics and dynamic mission elements ensure that no two heists feel the same, enhancing replayability. The game supports different playstyles and rewards strategic thinking.
- Improvement over Payday 2 (weight 0.41): Many reviewers feel that the game is an improvement over Payday 2 in various aspects, such as graphics, gameplay, and mechanics. The game simplifies systems compared to Payday 2, making it more accessible to newcomers. The game feels different from Payday 2, which is refreshing for some players.
- Extensive customization and skill system (weight 0.21): The game offers extensive customization options for weapons, masks, and character appearance, allowing players to tailor their play style. The skill system has been reworked, allowing for more focused builds on specific items. The variety of skill trees and customization options means there’s always something new to try.
- Intricate and varied map design (weight 0.12): The game features intricate map design with varied environments and opportunities for strategy. New mechanics like guards escorting players out of restricted areas and randomized enemy placements add depth to gameplay. The objects you are stealing have more thought put into them, encouraging player attention
- Good DLC and free content (weight 0.11): The game has a decent amount of free content, and the developers have addressed some controversial issues since launch, such as DLC pricing. The price for DLC 2 reflects the value of the package. The four case DLCs and the RG5 weapon pack are worthwhile purchases.
- Excellent music and sound design (weight 0.09): The music is very enjoyable and well-made, with the soundtrack being immersive and amazing. The composer for this game does a real good job with the music. The music provides a good boost to skill and confidence during loud heists.
- Addition of solo mode (weight 0.08): A solo mode was added, even in beta, which is a positive addition. Solo mode is playable and enjoyable, and an offline mode beta has been added. The single-player mode is a welcome alternative to matchmaking.
- Engaging cooperative gameplay (weight 0.07): Cooperative gameplay can lead to incredible matches, especially with cross-play and cross-progression. The synergy between players is essential, and the need for good communication and coordination brings an extra layer of excitement. The game supports cross-play across all platforms, resulting in quick matchmaking.
- Free heists and stunning visuals (weight 0.06): Four free heists were added, three of which are Legacy heists from previous PAYDAY games. Payday 3 is visually stunning, with varied locations like art galleries, banks, police stations, and penthouses. Some heists in Pay Day 3 can be completed entirely unmasked.

Common complaints:
- Downgrade from Payday 2 (weight 0.91): Many reviewers feel Payday 3 is a downgrade from Payday 2, citing missing features, less content (fewer heists, weapons, customization options), and a less engaging skill system. The game lacks the depth and replayability of its predecessor, with some reviewers stating that it feels unfinished or like a step backward for the series. Some reviewers also point out that the game's launch state was poor, with many issues that have yet to be resolved.
- Always-online requirement and servers (weight 0.81): The game's online-only requirement, even for solo play, is a major point of criticism. This, combined with server instability and matchmaking issues at launch, has led to frustration and an inability to play the game. The lack of an offline mode is a significant drawback for many players.
- Limited weapons and customization (weight 0.41): The limited selection of weapons and customization options, with many desirable items locked behind paid DLC, is a common complaint. The weapon leveling system, which requires grinding to unlock attachments, is also seen as a negative, discouraging experimentation and pushing players towards specific weapons. The high price of DLC is also a concern.
- Lacking content and replayability (weight 0.37): The game suffers from a lack of content, including a limited number of heists and repetitive mission design. Heists often lack replayability due to limited randomization and uninspired objectives. Some reviewers also point out that the game makes robbing a bank feel boring.
- Bugs and optimization issues (weight 0.31): Reviewers report numerous bugs, glitches, and optimization issues that detract from the gameplay experience. Frequent crashes, poor performance even on high-end systems, and an overall unfinished feel are common complaints. These issues contribute to a negative perception of the game's quality and polish.
- Changes made game harder (weight 0.18): Some reviewers feel that changes were made to make the game harder for experienced players, potentially leading to dissatisfaction. Menus are poorly designed and explanations are mediocre, hindering enjoyment of the game. The characters are calmer, and you can't shout at everyone anymore, reducing the intensity of the game's atmosphere.
- Unpopular armor system changes (weight 0.17): The new armor system, which replaces regenerating armor with armor chunks that don't regenerate, is widely disliked. Players feel forced to rely on armor kits and specific builds, limiting playstyle options and making the game more punishing. The lack of visual representation of armor is also a point of criticism.
- Poor UI and weapon stats (weight 0.12): The game's UI and weapon stat display are poorly designed, making it difficult to compare weapon modifications and understand their impact. The use of bars instead of numerical values, cumbersome menus, and a lack of sorting options contribute to a frustrating user experience.
- Slow updates and bug fixes (weight 0.1): The slow pace of updates and bug fixes is a recurring concern. Glitches and bugs persist for extended periods due to the infrequent update schedule, and patches sometimes introduce new issues. This lack of timely support contributes to a sense of frustration and abandonment among players.
- Poor AI implementation (weight 0.09): The AI for both teammates and enemies is often criticized. Teammates are unhelpful and lack customization, while enemies can be either too easy or frustratingly difficult to deal with. This contributes to a less engaging and strategic gameplay experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Strategic heists with stealth/loud options (weight 0.31): The game emphasizes strategic heist planning and execution, offering both stealth and loud approaches.  Players can utilize new mechanics like manipulating guards, hacking, and a public/private area system to enhance stealth gameplay.  However, some find the game still devolves into chaotic shootouts, and the number of heists is limited.
- Reworked, controversial skill system (weight 0.08): The skill system has been reworked, with a single skill tree and perks that require special activations. Some find the system confusing or less diverse than in Payday 2, while others appreciate the streamlined approach. The game incentivizes using different skills, but the implementation is flawed.
- Weapon progression and armor system (weight 0.08): Weapon attachments are unlocked through weapon leveling, which some find grindy.  The game features an armor system for enemies, requiring more shots to kill and encouraging cover-based gameplay.  Some reviewers feel that weapon stats are poorly represented and that some weapons are underpowered.
- Improved hostage/civilian interaction (weight 0.03): The game features new hostage mechanics, allowing players to use civilians as human shields or trade them to delay assaults. Civilian control is more important, as killing them impacts heist payout. This adds a risk-reward element to hostage management.
- Overkill weapons and difficulty modifiers (weight 0.03): The game features an 'Overkill weapon' mechanic that grants temporary access to powerful weapons. The game also features random difficulty modifiers that alter gameplay and increase difficulty. The highest difficulty level available is Overkill.
- Technically demanding, limited missions (weight 0.02): Some reviewers note that missions are more technically demanding and require more planning and team coordination. However, some missions have poor explanations of objectives, requiring trial and error to understand the tasks. The number of missions is limited, creating anticipation for future updates.

Performance notes:
- Ongoing performance, server instability (weight 0.23): Despite improvements, many players still experience performance and server issues, including frame rate drops, stuttering, lag, and disconnects. These issues can be especially detrimental during intense firefights or multiplayer sessions. Server stability has improved since launch, but problems persist.
- Excessively long loading times (weight 0.03): Several reviewers mention excessively long loading times as a persistent issue. This can detract from the overall experience, especially when trying to quickly jump into heists or other activities.
- Minor visual bugs (weight 0.02): Reviewers have reported a variety of minor bugs, such as UI elements remaining on screen or character models appearing incomplete. While not game-breaking, these bugs can be visually distracting.
- Need better graphics options (weight 0.01): Some players desire more customizable graphics settings to optimize performance on lower-end hardware. Additionally, some settings changes, like lowering the Effects setting, can negatively impact weapon sight visibility, forcing players to use higher settings.
- Compatibility issues on Linux (weight 0.01): The game has compatibility issues on Steam Deck and Linux, requiring specific compatibility launchers or causing problems for users with older graphics cards. This limits accessibility for some players.

Recommendations:
- Buy on sale for value (weight 0.93): Many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing due to the game's perceived lack of content, high price, or the expectation of future improvements. Some suggest specific price points or discount percentages that would make the game a worthwhile investment. A few reviewers recommend purchasing from third-party sites for a lower price.
- Game has potential; needs improvement (weight 0.66): Many reviewers feel the game has potential and is improving, but needs more content, bug fixes, and feature additions to reach its full potential. Some compare it to its predecessor, noting that it's not quite there yet but could get there with continued development. Some reviewers express optimism about the game's future and encourage patience.
- Predecessor is currently better (weight 0.61): Many reviewers suggest that the game is not as good as its predecessor, and some recommend playing the older game instead. They cite reasons such as more content, better features, and a more complete experience in the older game. Some reviewers who prefer the older game are still hopeful that the new game will improve over time.
- Needs more maps and heists (weight 0.13): Reviewers express a desire for more content, particularly maps and heists, to increase replayability and attract new players. Some suggest that the developers should focus on adding more content rather than DLC characters and items. Some reviewers are looking forward to future content updates and heists.
- Try it out (weight 0.08): Some reviewers recommend the game and encourage players to try it out, while others suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing. Some reviewers state that the game is worth buying. Some reviewers suggest that potential buyers should be aware they are purchasing a relatively beta game.
- Concerns about developer support (weight 0.08): Some reviewers express disappointment with the game, citing concerns about the developer's focus and the game's potential abandonment. Some reviewers express concerns about the game's future and the developer's commitment to fixing it. Some reviewers hope the developers will continue to support the game and not abandon the project.
- Better with friends (weight 0.08): The game is more enjoyable and fun when playing with friends, but less so when playing solo. Some reviewers suggest that the game is only worth playing if you have friends to play with. The core gameplay is fun, but the interface/lobby/crashing issues are hurting the experience.
- Year One/Gold Edition recommended (weight 0.07): Reviewers recommend purchasing the Year One edition or Gold Edition on sale to get all the important content and more. Some reviewers suggest buying the base game and trying it out before buying the Gold or Silver edition. Some reviewers feel the game is incomplete without the DLC.
- Mixed numerical scores (weight 0.05): Some reviewers provide numerical scores for the game, with most scores ranging from 6/10 to 7.5/10. Some reviewers state that the game is now playable or in a good state. Some reviewers feel that the positive aspects outweigh the negative, making for a great overall experience.
- Positive overall experience (weight 0.03): The game offers dozens or hundreds of hours of gameplay. The reviewer considers the game to be excellent. The game has an active player base. The reviewer's experience has been amazing so far. The reviewer had fun, especially for the price paid.

Other player notes:
- Concerns about long-term support (weight 0.1): There are concerns about the game's ongoing support and future development due to team downsizing, funding cuts, and shifting of resources to other projects. Some reviewers note a lack of communication from the developers and infrequent updates, while others acknowledge that the developers are still working to improve the game after a rocky launch. The game's long-term survival is questioned.
- Suffering from review bombs (weight 0.03): Some reviewers mention the game is receiving review bombs, which may not accurately reflect the game's quality or potential. This can discourage developers and impact the game's future. The importance score is reduced due to the presence of review bombing.
- Evaluate current state, not launch (weight 0.03): Some reviewers suggest evaluating the game based on its current state after updates, rather than dwelling on its initial launch issues. They acknowledge the developers' efforts to address problems and improve the game over time. This point encourages a more balanced and up-to-date perspective.
- Light story, action-focused heists (weight 0.02): The game's story is considered light but serves to connect the heists, focusing more on action than deep narrative development. The setting is urban and realistic, with missions involving heists reminiscent of movies like Ocean's Eleven. This point describes the game's narrative focus and setting.
- Large game file size (weight 0.01): The game has a large file size, requiring significant storage space. Some reviewers compare its size to other games like Counter-Strike 2, noting that it doesn't offer as much fun in return for the storage space it occupies. This point highlights the game's storage requirements.

Emotions:
No emotions}