Payday 3, the latest installment in the franchise, has been eagerly awaited by fans for its high-octane heist scenarios and immersive gameplay. However, it's worth noting that this review has been conducted while the game's servers remain inaccessible to all. Nonetheless, our experience with the game prior to this unfortunate situation has been largely enjoyable, though not without its share of glitches and snafus. So, let's dive into a detailed discussion of what Payday 3 has to offer.
Visual Splendour or Not So Much?
The very first aspect of Payday 3 that strikes you is its visuals. While not exceptionally demanding in terms of hardware requirements, the game has been known to cause some stuttering and long loading times for players with lower-end builds. On a high-performing RTX 4070, it runs smoothly at a steady 120 FPS. The graphics are a slight upgrade from Payday 2, with beautiful chaos ensuing during the heists and explosions.
However, not all is rosy on the visual front. The game's aesthetic appeal is somewhat marred by a conspicuous lack of atmospheric music. The few tracks that are there fade quickly into the background, failing to add the depth and dimension that the game's action-packed sequences demand. This is an area where Payday 3 could certainly improve in future updates.
Delving into Gameplay
While aesthetics are important, what truly defines a game is its gameplay. Payday 3, in this regard, continues the tradition of its predecessors. It is a heist simulator that demands strategy, teamwork, and quick reflexes. The game offers two modes for the heists - a stealthy approach or a guns-blazing face-off against the security forces.
Pulling off a successful stealth heist with your teammates is a rewarding experience. The thrill of infiltrating high-security establishments and making off with the loot right under the guards' noses is unparalleled. Alternatively, the fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping action sequences that ensue when you choose to go in guns blazing are equally exhilarating.
Gunplay and Loadouts
Speaking of guns, Payday 3 does not disappoint. An extensive range of weapons is available for purchase with your stolen money, encouraging you to experiment with different loadouts. It adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay and keeps players engaged. While most guns handle pretty well, the shotguns can feel a bit slow and underpowered, especially at close range.
Bugs and Performance Woes
While the gameplay is largely engaging, the game's performance leaves a lot to be desired. From enemies walking through walls to shooting from under the floor, the game is riddled with bugs. Furthermore, Payday 3 seems to struggle with optimization on lower-end PC builds, resulting in desynchronization issues and frequent disconnects. This mars the overall gaming experience and is an area where the developers need to focus their efforts.
In addition, the game suffers from connection issues, with instances of being assigned to ghost players and missions failing to load. These glitches make the gameplay experience feel disjointed and frustrating.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, while Payday 3 offers some exciting gameplay in terms of both stealth and action sequences, its lackluster visual and musical elements, coupled with the myriad of bugs and performance issues, mar what could have been an exceptional gaming experience. It's hoped that future updates will address these problems and enhance the game's appeal. For now, there are other stealth and action games that offer a more polished experience. However, if you're a fan of the franchise and can overlook these shortcomings, Payday 3 does have its moments of thrill and excitement.