Info about PAYDAY 2:

Official game description:
Infamous Collection
===================
**The Infamous Collection contains a mountain of content - all available DLC for PAYDAY 2!**
The base game has been temporarily removed from the bundle during the Winter Sale because _our discounts are too high_! We will add it back shortly after the Winter Sale.
There are two ways to instantly grab all PAYDAY 2 content:
*   The Infamous Collection:  - purchase everything directly
*   The PAYDAY 2 Subscription - available at the top of this page - unlocks all available DLC for a low monthly cost
About the Game
==============
PAYDAY 2 is an action-packed, four-player co-op shooter that once again lets gamers don the masks of the original PAYDAY crew - Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf and Chains - as they descend on Washington DC for an epic crime spree.  
The CRIMENET network offers a huge range of dynamic contracts, and players are free to choose anything from small-time convenience store hits or kidnappings, to big league cyber-crime or emptying out major bank vaults for that epic PAYDAY. While in DC, why not participate in the local community, and run a few political errands?  
Up to four friends co-operate on the hits, and as the crew progresses the jobs become bigger, better and more rewarding. Along with earning more money and becoming a legendary criminal comes a character customization and crafting system that lets crews build and customize their own guns and gear.
Key Features
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*   Rob Banks, Get Paid – Players must choose their crew carefully, because when the job goes down they will need the right mix of skills on their side.  
*   CRIMENET – The dynamic contract database lets gamers pick and choose from available jobs by connecting with local contacts such as Vlad the Ukrainian, shady politician "The Elephant", and South American drug trafficker Hector, all with their own agenda and best interests in mind.  
*   PAYDAY Gunplay and Mechanics on a New Level – Firing weapons and zip tying civilians never felt so good.  
*   Dynamic Scenarios – No heist ever plays out the same way twice. Every single scenario has random geometry or even rare events.  
*   Choose Your Skills – As players progress they can invest in any of five special Skill Trees: Mastermind, Enforcer, Ghost, Technician and Fugitive. Each features a deep customization tree of associated skills and equipment to master, and they can be mixed and matched to create the ultimate heister.  
*   More Masks than Ever – PAYDAY 2 features a completely new mask system, giving players the ability to craft their own unique mask with a pattern and color of their choice, resulting in millions of different combinations.  
*   Weapons and Modifications – A brand new arsenal for the serious heister, covering everything from sniper and assault rifles to compact PDWs and SMGs. Once you've settled for a favorite, you can modify it with optics, suppressors, fore grips, reticles, barrels, frames, stocks and more, all of which will affect the performance of your weapon. There are also purely aesthetic enhancements - why not go for the drug lord look with polished walnut grips for your nine?  
*   Play It Your Way – Each job allows for multiple approaches, such as slow and stealthy ambushes or running in guns blazing. Hit the target any way you want, each approach will provide a different experience.  
*   A Long History of Additional Content – More than 70 updates since release, including new heists, characters, weapons and other gameplay features like driving cars and forklifts.

Release date: Aug 13, 2013

Categories: Cooperative Multiplayer, Character Customization, Weapon Customization, Stealth Gameplay, Tactical Shooter, Horde Shooter, Mod Support, Character Progression

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 90; verdict: Predatory Monetization; summary: The analysis of user reviews for Payday 2 reveals significant concerns regarding the game's monetization strategies. Key issues include the price increase of existing DLC without prior announcement, the introduction of a subscription service for a 12-year-old game, perceived greed and monetization tactics, pay-to-win dynamics, and community backlash. These themes highlight a pattern of predatory practices that have led to a negative perception among players. The introduction of a subscription model and the increase in DLC prices are seen as particularly exploitative, designed to push players towards continuous spending. The pay-to-win dynamics and the community's strong negative reaction further exacerbate the situation, indicating a significant impact on the user experience.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The primary issues identified from user feedback include a significant lack of in-game guidance, forcing players to rely on external resources for basic information. Technical issues, particularly related to alt-tabbing, are also a major concern. Additionally, the complexity of game mechanics and the need for external research to understand builds and strategies are notable barriers for new players.
- Steam Deck: score 75; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with the Steam Deck experience for this game. Key problems include the lack of an offline mode, frequent crashes, poor controller support, and issues with Linux compatibility. These issues collectively contribute to a frustrating user experience, with many users expressing dissatisfaction and considering the game unplayable in its current state.

- 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:
- Highly praised gameplay mechanics (weight 0.97): The game is celebrated for its engaging and addictive gameplay, including stealth, tactics, and dynamic action. Players appreciate the variety of missions, weapons, and customization options that keep the experience fresh and exciting.
- Enjoyable co-op experience (weight 0.66): Players highlight the fun and engaging cooperative gameplay, which is enhanced by teamwork and strategy. The game is particularly enjoyable when played with friends, creating memorable and chaotic moments.
- Extensive customization options (weight 0.6): The game offers a wide range of customization for weapons, characters, and gameplay styles. This includes diverse skill trees, builds, and a vast arsenal of weapons and modifications, enhancing replayability and player engagement.
- Modding support and community (weight 0.56): The game supports extensive modding, which enhances gameplay and adds to its longevity. The modding community is active and creative, providing a wealth of additional content and customization options.
- Affordable and worth the price (weight 0.49): Players find the game to be a great value, especially when purchased on sale. The affordable pricing, combined with the extensive content and enjoyable gameplay, makes it a worthwhile investment.
- Positive reception of soundtrack (weight 0.49): The game's soundtrack is highly praised for its energy and quality. Players enjoy the music and voice acting, which add to the overall immersive experience and atmosphere of the game.
- Unique and enjoyable heist experiences (weight 0.35): The game stands out for its unique heist experiences, offering a variety of stealth and loud gameplay options. The detailed environments and realistic animations add to the immersive experience.
- Rich content and replayability (weight 0.29): The game is praised for its vast amount of content, including numerous heists, missions, and DLCs. This abundance of content ensures high replayability and long-term engagement, making it a favorite among players.
- Long-term enjoyment and support (weight 0.2): Even after many years, the game remains enjoyable and relevant. The developers continue to put effort into the game, and the active modding scene ensures its longevity and continued popularity.

Common complaints:
- Poor AI behavior (weight 0.59): The AI in the game is often criticized for being unintelligent and unreliable. This includes both AI teammates and opponents, which can lead to a less enjoyable gaming experience.
- Unbalanced and difficult gameplay (weight 0.58): The game is noted for its high difficulty and unbalanced gameplay mechanics. Stealth mechanics are particularly frustrating and often feel luck-based, while the skill tree and weapon balance are also criticized.
- Poor optimization and outdated graphics (weight 0.55): The game has outdated graphics and suffers from poor optimization, leading to performance issues and visuals that do not meet modern standards. This can detract from the overall gaming experience.
- Frequent crashes and bugs (weight 0.54): The game suffers from frequent crashes, bugs, and performance issues. These problems can occur during missions, in the main menu, or due to conflicts with old MOD files, leading to a frustrating experience.
- Excessive reliance on DLCs (weight 0.51): The game heavily depends on DLCs for content, with many weapons, heists, and equipment locked behind paid DLCs. This makes the game feel incomplete without additional purchases, leading to frustration among players.
- Community and multiplayer issues (weight 0.18): The game has issues with toxic community members, ineffective anti-cheat measures, and problems with multiplayer stability. This can lead to a hostile and frustrating multiplayer experience.
- Confusing mission structure (weight 0.11): The mission structure can be confusing and repetitive, with long wait times and monotonous tasks. This can be particularly challenging for new players trying to learn the game.
- Connection and stability issues (weight 0.06): The game has connection issues, particularly with Epic Games services, leading to instability and crashes. This can disrupt the gaming experience and cause frustration.
- Lack of story content (weight 0.05): The game lacks a significant story and in-game guidance, which can make it difficult for players to understand the context and objectives of the missions.

Gameplay feedback:
- Co-op and multiplayer focus (weight 0.77): The game emphasizes cooperative gameplay, allowing players to team up with friends or AI-controlled bots to tackle heists. It supports both single-player and multiplayer modes, with a strong community and stable player base for online multiplayer.
- High difficulty and strategic gameplay (weight 0.54): The game is known for its high difficulty, requiring strategic thinking and teamwork. Players must plan and execute heists carefully, with different difficulty levels offering unique challenges.
- Stealth and loud gameplay mechanics (weight 0.52): Players can approach missions using stealth or loud strategies, with different mechanics and challenges for each. The game offers flexibility in mission approaches, allowing for varied gameplay experiences.
- Extensive weapon and build variety (weight 0.49): The game offers a wide range of weapons, including special ones like the MA-17 Flamethrower, and extensive customization options for builds and weapons. Players can choose from various difficulty levels, including Death Sentence, and enjoy diverse heists and missions.
- Character and enemy details (weight 0.22): The game features characters with specific health points and abilities, such as the HEAVY SWAT unit with varying HP and damage. There are also mentions of specific enemy behaviors and interactions.
- Progression and customization systems (weight 0.21): The game features a deep progression system with Infamy, XP, reputation, skills, and perks. Players can customize their characters and builds extensively, with a variety of skill trees and perk decks available.
- Varied and unique heists (weight 0.17): The game offers a variety of heists with different methods, objectives, and stages. Players can enjoy themed heists for holidays, multi-day heists, and high-value heists with random events and conditions.
- Mixed reviews on gameplay balance (weight 0.08): Some players find the gameplay unbalanced and boring, while others enjoy the adrenaline-filled and intense experience. The game's difficulty and enjoyment levels vary among players.
- Specific gameplay elements and mechanics (weight 0.06): The game includes specific mechanics like stealth relying on luck, different approaches to missions, and unique gameplay elements such as stealth and chaos options. Players can choose between stealth and open combat, adding to the game's variety.
- Licensed content and character interactions (weight 0.04): The game includes characters from other franchises and has had licensed content removed. Players can find companions and interact with various characters, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
- Worth buying and gameplay value (weight 0.03): The game is considered worth buying for its extensive content and gameplay value. Players can enjoy a variety of heists, customization options, and cooperative gameplay, making it a valuable purchase.

Performance notes:
- Performance and optimization issues (weight 0.26): Players report various performance issues, including poor optimization, lag, and the need for a good computer to run the game smoothly. Some users also mention that the game can run on low-end PCs but with noticeable glitches and bugs.
- High system requirements (weight 0.08): The game has demanding PC requirements, including a large amount of storage space for the game and all DLCs. This can be a barrier for players with older or less powerful computers.
- Bugs affecting gameplay (weight 0.04): The game suffers from numerous bugs, including those affecting mission progression and causing desynchronizations. These bugs can be frustrating and impact the overall gaming experience.
- Mod compatibility issues (weight 0.04): There are instability and compatibility issues with certain mods, which can lead to crashes and other problems. Players have attempted fixes with mods and settings adjustments.
- Outdated game engine (weight 0.03): The game's engine is considered old and has rough edges, which can contribute to various performance and stability issues.
- Large game size (weight 0.02): The game's large size is seen as not worth it by some players, indicating dissatisfaction with the amount of storage space required.
- Poor controller support (weight 0.01): The game has abysmal controller support, which can be a significant issue for players who prefer using controllers.
- Crashes on new heists (weight 0.01): Players experience crashes specifically on new heists, which can be frustrating and impact the gameplay experience.
- Save file corruption (weight 0.01): There are issues with save file corruption due to Social Hub data, which can lead to loss of progress and frustration.

Recommendations:
- Great for cooperative play (weight 0.47): The game is highly recommended for playing with friends due to its teamwork-driven gameplay and cooperative heist mechanics. It offers a fun and engaging experience, especially for those who enjoy working together in a team.
- Recommended despite flaws (weight 0.37): Despite some issues like the amount of DLC and occasional gameplay problems, the game is still highly recommended. Players find it enjoyable and worth playing, especially with friends.
- Fun and replayable (weight 0.29): The game is noted for its high replayability and fun factor, especially when played with friends. The cooperative heist gameplay keeps players engaged and coming back for more.
- Challenges with solo play (weight 0.28): While the game is enjoyable with friends, solo play can be less ideal due to limitations with bots and increased difficulty. Players might find it less fun as the difficulty ramps up.
- Prefer Payday 2 over Payday 3 (weight 0.2): Many players recommend choosing Payday 2 over Payday 3 due to its deep gameplay, better cooperative experience, and overall enjoyment. Payday 2 is seen as a more polished and complete game.
- Mods enhance gameplay (weight 0.13): Using mods, such as DLC unlockers or gameplay enhancers, can significantly improve the gaming experience. These mods can add more content and fix certain issues, making the game more enjoyable.
- Legacy pack is sufficient (weight 0.02): The Legacy Pack is recommended for those looking to get a complete package at a cut-rate. It offers enough content to enjoy the game thoroughly.
- Recommended for stress relief (weight 0.01): The game is recommended for those who want to blow off steam and enjoy a fun, action-packed experience. It provides a good way to relax and have fun with friends.
- Filter option for heists (weight 0.01): Players suggest adding a filter option for heists in the preplanning or briefing phase. This would enhance the gameplay experience by allowing better customization and planning.
- Skill benefits for equipment (weight 0.01): Applying skill benefits to both primary and secondary equipment is recommended. This would improve the gameplay mechanics and make the game more balanced and enjoyable.

Other player notes:
- Game purchased on sale (weight 0.01): Some players mentioned that they purchased the game during a Christmas sale for a reduced price of 1€.
- Personal life impacts mentioned (weight 0.01): A few reviews discussed how the game affected their personal lives, though specific details were not provided.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.24): Players are frustrated primarily due to technical issues such as frequent crashes, performance problems, and bugs. Additionally, the game's high difficulty, lack of clear goals, and the necessity of purchasing numerous DLCs to access full content contribute significantly to this frustration.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Players enjoy the game for its fun and engaging gameplay, particularly the stealth mechanics, variety of heists, and the cooperative experience with friends. The soundtrack, customization options, and the overall unique gameplay experience also contribute to their enjoyment.
- Excitement (weight 0.11): The game's diverse and chaotic gameplay, along with the variety of missions and customization options, excites players. The adrenaline rush from successful heists and the dynamic cooperative experience add to this excitement.
- Joy (weight 0.11): Players find joy in the game's fun and addictive gameplay, the variety of missions, and the ability to play with friends. The unique and engaging gameplay mechanics, along with the high replayability, contribute to their joy.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.07): Players feel nostalgic due to long-term engagement with the game, memorable experiences with friends, and the game's status as a classic in its genre. The transition from previous gaming platforms and the game's enduring appeal also evoke nostalgia.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Players are satisfied with the game's extensive customization options, variety of heists, and the overall replayability. The cooperative gameplay and the abundance of unlockable content also contribute to their satisfaction.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's realistic heist planning, stealth mechanics, and the inclusion of features like Russian language support. The excellent soundtrack and the active modding community also contribute to their appreciation.
- Disappointment (weight 0.03): Players are disappointed with the game's monetization practices, including the premium currency system and the necessity of purchasing DLCs to access full content. The lack of enjoyment in single-player mode and the game's difficulty also contribute to their disappointment.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's stealth mechanics, build variety, and the overall enjoyable gameplay experience. The positive community interactions and high playtime also contribute to their enthusiasm.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Players are amused by the game's funny and unique mod experiences, as well as humorous in-game scenarios like using a giant spoon as a melee weapon.
- Excited (weight 0.02): Players are excited about the game's action-packed and adrenaline-filled gameplay. The variety of missions and the high customization options also contribute to their excitement.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Players are happy with the game's engaging and varied gameplay, including different heists, weapons, builds, and playstyles. The overall fun and enjoyable experience contributes to their happiness.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players are angry due to poor AI and multiplayer experiences, changes made by developers that negatively impact gameplay, and the presence of performance issues and microtransactions.
- Disappointment (weight 0.01): Players are disappointed with balance issues in the game.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Players are frustrated with the numerous issues and downgrades introduced by recent updates, particularly the EOS implementation and its impact on gameplay. The game's difficulty and the necessity of purchasing DLCs to fully enjoy the game also contribute to their frustration.
- Discomfort (weight 0.01): Players experience discomfort due to motion sickness while playing the game.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Players hope for potential quality of life improvements and suggest various updates to enhance the game.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players are angry due to the lack of proper artificial intelligence in the game.
- Pleasure (weight 0.01): Players enjoy the pleasant feel of the game.
- Nostalgic (weight 0.01): Players feel nostalgic as they reflect on their extensive experience with the game, reminiscing about the time spent playing and the friendships formed.}