Damn dude. What a fantastic game, when it works. You'd think they would incorporate succesfull ideas from the game that released 10+ years ago, instead of removing it in the name of ease of access. Except when the ease of access doesn't work :/

Pros:
Each build comes online quickly, allowing you to join and be productive from the get go! This is due to the game defining traits being front-loaded versus being backloaded like PayDay 2. You got one perk to spend? Alright, you started on the Manipulator, congrats, hostages count for 2.

The overall gameplay feels weighty and packs a punch. Gunplay feels slower than Payday 2 which came of more arcade-shooter style. Each bullets feels like it hurts and cover is more important then ever.

Perks that were huge QOL in PD2 are just given inherent, such as infinite zip ties.

Cons:
The game's matchmaking is broken. There are 12 heists at launch, with 4 difficulties each. You've absolutely NO idea what other's are playing. You want to run Very Hard Bank Heist, guess what, you might legitimately be the only one. No issue right? You'll just queue up solo. Nope, prepare to spend at least 15-20 minutes waiting for a Invite Only/Friend Only match.

There is no VOIP, so good luck typing everything with no distinction if your teammates said something or if their skills proc-ed such as "There's a camera nearby."

Game icons will hang on progression through the entire match. Let's say in Bank Heist, the first one, you left a thermite bag and didn't end up using it. Well, the objective marker will STAY on that bag the entire match, and will no progress to the next section such as bagging the money. This isn't that big of a deal until you are looking for the escape route, or the barricades FOR the escape route, or the sprinkler, or whichever hostage that the NPCs have gotten to.

Overall, I cannot recommended this game in it's current state. It is borderline unplayable, which is a crying shame because when you actually GET into a match, it's a blast. I'll pick this up when it's on sale, or on Xbox Gamepass, because I didn't purchase Payday 3 to play "matchmaking lobby waiting simulator", I wanted to play "Bankrobbing Simulator 3".

Damn dude. What a fantastic game, when it works. You'd think they would incorporate succesfull ideas from the game that released 10+ years ago, instead of removing it in the name of ease of access. Except when the ease of access doesn't work :/ Pros: Each build comes online quickly, allowing you to join and be productive from the get go! This is due to the game defining traits being front-loaded versus being backloaded like PayDay 2. You got one perk to spend? Alright, you started on the Manipulator, congrats, hostages count for 2. The overall gameplay feels weighty and packs a punch. Gunplay feels slower than Payday 2 which came of more arcade-shooter style. Each bullets feels like it hurts and cover is more important then ever. Perks that were huge QOL in PD2 are just given inherent, such as infinite zip ties. Cons: The game's matchmaking is broken. There are 12 heists at launch, with 4 difficulties each. You've absolutely NO idea what other's are playing. You want to run Very Hard Bank Heist, guess what, you might legitimately be the only one. No issue right? You'll just queue up solo. Nope, prepare to spend at least 15-20 minutes waiting for a Invite Only/Friend Only match. There is no VOIP, so good luck typing everything with no distinction if your teammates said something or if their skills proc-ed such as "There's a camera nearby." Game icons will hang on progression through the entire match. Let's say in Bank Heist, the first one, you left a thermite bag and didn't end up using it. Well, the objective marker will STAY on that bag the entire match, and will no progress to the next section such as bagging the money. This isn't that big of a deal until you are looking for the escape route, or the barricades FOR the escape route, or the sprinkler, or whichever hostage that the NPCs have gotten to. Overall, I cannot recommended this game in it's current state. It is borderline unplayable, which is a crying shame because when you actually GET into a match, it's a blast. I'll pick this up when it's on sale, or on Xbox Gamepass, because I didn't purchase Payday 3 to play "matchmaking lobby waiting simulator", I wanted to play "Bankrobbing Simulator 3".