Payday 2, Review

You know, I really wanted to hate Payday 2; after all, what sort of example does it set for our precious youth to glorify criminal activity in the manner that Payday 2 does. Unfortunately, it's impossible to hate, and now I'm thoroughly enjoying feeling like a criminal (not a Fiona Apple reference).

Payday 2 takes the multiplayer model from Left 4 Dead, throws in police officers and SWAT members instead of zombies, and gives you the task of stealing stuff. The concept might sound simple, but somehow, it just works. Stealing jewelry from a jewelry store with your friends has never been so rewarding, causing mayhem in a shopping mall just feels right, and robbing banks is a heart-pumping endeavor from start to finish. The missions have been all masterfully crafted so that each time you attempt a mission you've done before, there are slight changes in the layout of the map that will throw you off and change up the pace a little.

The leveling system that has been implemented in Payday 2 also works quite well. Players earn XP and level up as they complete each heist, which in turn earns skill points for players to use to upgrade their skills. While Payday 2 is a co-op FPS at its core, there is a certain RPG element introduced with more than a few skill tree options. As well as XP points and levels, players also earn cash with every heist they complete, with an impressive chance for bonus cash. Cash is then spent on new guns, gun upgrades, armor upgrades, and new masks, which are all unlocked via a random card select system after each individual heist completed. There are an impressive number of guns, gun upgrades and masks available for purchasing that leaves little to be desired.

The sounds in the game are incredible, and there's always a lot going on through your headset. If the in-game radios are silent, you're talking to your team via your headset to magistrate and implement a plan. If all vocals are quiet, it's because there are guns blaring around you, all of which sound as they should. The soundtrack also provides for delightful and, at times, tense background noise to keep your ears occupied.

Although most players will attempt to implement a plan to keep themselves undetected for a stealthy bonus, more often than not, your plan goes sour rather quickly. On many occasions, things went sour because a new player didn't know what they were doing, or a player thought they were an all-star and went rogue, which could send things spiraling down quickly. The game places a heavy emphasis on teamwork and communication, so if you're more of a one-man army, this isn't the game for you. But, if you're a multiplayer gamer at your core, this game can be a rewarding experience.

But, Payday 2 does have its issues that steal it away from perfection. The graphics are very hot and cold, in that everything looks great on the outside, but once you step inside, the models look bland and lackluster. As I just stated, though, the outside is a different story, and the same thing goes for character models. On top of the graphics issue, there is a barrier for brand new players to join harder matches online. Many times I, as a lower level criminal, was kicked from a new match just because of my low level. And, more than a few times, I was kicked after completing a mission successfully, just before I was able to reap the rewards – infuriating, to say the least.

There's also a minor concern that the missions in Payday 2 could grow stale quickly, as there isn't a ton of variety in that department. Hopefully, Overkill has more than a few tricks up their sleeves via DLC that will keep the game feeling fresh for at least a few months. But, as it stands right now, Payday 2 is a good investment of your hard earned cash, and if you can convince a few of your friends to purchase it as well, it is sure to become your guiltiest gaming pleasure of 2013.

Story – 8/10

Gameplay – 8.5/10

Graphics – 7.5/10

Sound – 9.5/10

Multiplayer - 9/10

Replayability – 8/10

Overall - 8.5/10