Recent reviews by Bangor MC 3rd

According to Steam, I installed this pack Dec 31, 1969
Time sure does fly by...

If someday you should leave this world,
And find yourself at the gates of paradise,
Then shall the doors for you swing wide,
And everyone shall be playing Garfield Kart.

Question: Is Payday 2 fun?
Answer: Yes.

Question: But I see a lot of negative reviews about all the DLC, and I can see how much it will all cost to get! Doesn't that ruin an otherwise fun game?
Answer: Those people complaining about all the paid DLC aren't wrong. There is a lot of it, and they contain not merely cosmetics, but significant gameplay-changing content (more guns, more mods, more passive talents).

Question: But you're still giving this a positive review?
Answer: Yes. The main reason to dislike the game (for me, at least) is the DLC. But I tentatively give it a pass on that for three reasons:

1) The game is co-op. PURE co-op. There is no PvP, not even in the sense of competing for rewards while on the same side. If someone owns a DLC that gives them an advantage over you, it doesn't negatively impact you. It just makes your team stronger. And, if someone owns a heist that you don't, you can play it so long as they host. That's right, you can fully play on maps you don't own. You just can't host them.

2) This isn't a grab-the-cash-and-run scenario of the sort you so often see with EA and its ilk. Overkill has supported this game faithfully for 3 years now. They have kept up fixes, added new content, and (for the most part) listened to player feedback the whole time. I personally don't mind dropping some money now and then to keep a good thing going.

3) IF YOU ARE ON A BUDGET, OR ARE A NEW PLAYER PUT OFF BY THE PRICE: Payday 2 semi-regularly goes on sale for 75% off. Not just the base game. Everything except the newest DLC. New players can get the entire game, including all but the latest DLCs, for about $40 by waiting for the Steam sales. Yes, it means being patient. Yes, it means not getting the newest goodies as soon as they come out if you want them cheap. But it IS an option, and a pretty good one as far as I'm concerned.

People can complain about the DLC. They absolutely have a right to dislike it, as I have a right to defend it. I, too, would rather it all be free for everyone. At best, I consider it a necessary evil. But if you haven't tried it, and DLC is what's holding you back, I once more recommend waiting for a sale. Get the base game (or the GotY edition) super cheap. Play it some. If you like it, you might snatch up some cheap DLC while the sale is still on. If not, you're out 5 bucks. But I would definitely give it a try. It really is quite good.