PAYDAY 3

Item: PAYDAY 3
Rating: 63
Author: VaporLens

Last updated: 2025-05-13

Summary

Improved stealth, gunplay, and visual fidelity.
Engaging core heist gameplay with varied missions.
Ongoing improvements and updates enhance the experience.
Always-online requirement and server issues are problematic.
Lacking content and limited weapon customization.
Buy on sale; predecessor is currently better.

Reviews (sample size): 2000
Helpful reviews: 62%
Unhelpful reviews: 34%
Protest reviews: 4%

63%
Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
37%
Helpful reviews with negative sentiment

Positive points: 2618
Negative points: 3389
Gameplay points: 408
Perf. points: 184
Rec. points: 1217
Misc points: 215

Point	Description	Importance
Improved and engaging stealth mechanics Description 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. Importance 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.	96%
Improved graphics and visual fidelity Description 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. Importance 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.	87%
Satisfying and improved gunplay Description 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. Importance 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.	86%
Ongoing improvements and updates Description 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. Importance 80%	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.	80%
Engaging core heist gameplay Description 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. Importance 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.	64%
Variety of heists and missions Description 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. Importance 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.	48%
Improvement over Payday 2 Description 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. Importance 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.	41%
Extensive customization and skill system Description 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. Importance 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.	21%
Intricate and varied map design Description 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 Importance 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	12%
Good DLC and free content Description 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. Importance 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.	11%
Excellent music and sound design Description 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. Importance 9%	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.	9%
Addition of solo mode Description 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. Importance 8%	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.	8%
Engaging cooperative gameplay Description 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. Importance 7%	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.	7%
Free heists and stunning visuals Description 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. Importance 6%	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.	6%