So. Payday 3. What do I think about it ? Well:

What I like:

Gameplay:
The core gameplay is insane. It's like Payday 2 and PDTH had a baby and it had all the good things for each other. It rewards you for being patient which Payday 2 doesn't really do. But it has a huge build diversity unlike PDTH. I miss the armor gating mecanic but I don't miss getting 2 shot by a Zeal across the map so there is that. Spawn cap is a mix of both game. There are enough spawns for you to not get bored but there isn't 100 cops in the map shootng you from all angle and through walls. The assault system is also great. It got simplified since PD2 and it's just a way better system. So long, drama abusing and welcome actual fade. Cops will actually leave the map to give you some space to breath or just do objectives something that cannot be said about PD2's system. AI is also wayyyy better. They scale with the difficulty you're playing on and it really feels like an actual AI. PD2's ai got murdered after Jules's game "balance" but even then, PD3 does it way better than the previous game ever did. Cops will take cover behind the shields coming to you. Naders will prioritize your corpse when you're getting cloacked. Of course, it has some flaws but for a 1.0 this game is already way better than PD2 ever was. Shooting your weapon feels pretty good and the balance isn't bad at all. I wish snipers would be better (I'm talking about the R900S aka the R700 in PD2)

Maps:
The maps are all pretty good all thinks considered. They're all fairly well designed. There is enough cover even when your forced to be out in the open. Objectives are diversified and not just "hack and wait" like a lot of heists in PD2 are. Yes, it's still "press F to do" type of objective but it feels wayyyyyy better in this game. There are a lot of different settings to choose from. A small bank, a bridge, a penthouse... Payday 2 release didn't have as much diversity.

Bugs:
From what I can see, the game seems to not have too many issues. There are some z-fighting here and there but overall it's a pretty smooth experience for me. There are some bugs with some gadgets or maps features but that's the kind of thing you expect from a new game. Nothing game breaking like PD2 have so that's just great !

Modding:
Yes, modding is a good thing. I like having a Blahaj model replacing my bags. It's fun and hads to the longevity of a game. Just look at how many hours I have on PD2. I wouldn't have them if it wasn't for modding that's for sure !

What I don't like:

User Interface:
Please help. I know, Starbreeze. You're not that great at designing menus and stuff. Payday 2 did a lot of things right in it's 10 years of developement. Payday 3's UI really feels like it was quickly designed to be functionnal. It is functionnal but it's really not great. Crime.net should also return. I've seen some screenshots of a "debug menu" that looked like an early crime.net for PD3. I hope we'll see that interface soon enough in the retail version because trying to play in public is not a great experience. Also, you guys changed the name of the weapons from PD2/PDTH. Why and who asked for such a bad change. We had stuff like Bernetti, Spec Ops and all sort of things. Now, it's like SF-9PKUA. That's just not a good thing. Navigating the challenges is also painful. Also, I love the cutscenes but, when I press the R button to hide them I would like them to stay hidden. It's little QoL things here and there that makes me feel like there wasn't enough ressources or time to finish all of this properly. It's still in a functional state so there is that !

Matchmaking and servers:
What I said about crime.net works for this topic too. The whole matchmaking deserves a rework. It's usable but it really doesn't feels good to use.
Now, let's address the big elephant in the room: the servers. YES, this game is online only. Starbreeze, you did it again. After U237, you managed to self sabotage yourself with another awful decision. It's really really sad because this game is insanely good but come on now. Everybody told you that it was not a good idea. You guys actually listened for Denuvo so I hope you will also go back on that decision. Yes, servers are great. It lowers the chances of desync happening, you have more control over your game blablabla. It's great until it's not. Give us the option to play in P2P. Even if it's not cross-plateform. Give us the option. Like, you clic on a P2P button, a warning pop-up appears telling us that there won't be x2 exp available or whatever is happening at the time and if we proceed we just play the video game with our friends even if the servers are down.

Anyway, I hope everyone at Starbreeze is doing well. You guys did a good job but that one bad decision could kill your company. I love the Payday franchise which is why despite the U237 I'm still here. Much love !

Edit: 30/11/2023

My review is now negative. Why ? Well... Starbreeze, of course. This game has a huge number of issues. Performance issues if you're not using DX12. No challenge pop-up despite freaking modders doing that kind of thing in a month after release. 150 completion for every heist in loud AND 150 completions in stealth as a "challenge". At first, I thought that it was just a shady tactic to keep players "entertained" while waiting for content but noooope. Content came with the 1.2 update and those two legacy maps aslo requires 150 completion EACH. For the love of Sydney, look at my FBI Files. Look at how many hours I have on PD2 and look how many heist I completed 150 times. There are like 13 or them. 300 completion ? I think there are 3 maps with that kind of grind put onto them.

Mio said we we're going to "hate cloakers" well... No. I don't. I hate that you made them cringe. Cloaking the last man standing was a bad thing in PDTH and that's why it's not a thing in PD2. It's cringe. it's bad. If someone can clutch alone, he shouldn't get cloaked through a freaking wall by a cloaker.
Yeah, through walls. Did I mentioned that this game on UE4 has more problem than PDTH and PD2 combined when it comes to detection ? While in PD2 it would happen from time to time to get cloaked through walls, in this game it happens every. single. games.It's been THREE months now. HOW. You can't blame the engine this time. What's your excuse ? Same thing with the guards in stealth. They often detect bodies through walls. Even in the beta of Payday 2 that kind of thing was not happening. Why and how ?

Let's talk about that free content update AKA 1.2. Cook off is clearly not designed for this game. The scale is wayyy off. I feel like an ant with those big ass doors in the basement. It feels like I'm playing Lab Rats sometimes it's just crazy.

Let's talk balance. Oh boy, Starbreeze you did it again. Yeah, you did good nerfing that 10s swan song. That's great. But, nerfing plate up ? Why ? Who asked for this ? You said you were going to give us a new way to get armor. Where is it ? All I'm seeing is the single most useful resources in the video game being nerfed to the ground without giving us that new thing you talked about. This whole armor change you guys did makes Payday 3 feel like a generic FPS. PDTH and Payday 2 are about armor gating and breakpoint. Why wouldn't you guys give us a good game ? We played PDTH and PD2 because the gameplay was insanely interesting and satisfying. Payday 3 is just "pwease give armor bag :(((((". It honestly feels like Warzone with the plate and stuff... This is not Payday. The fact that PDTH has more active players than this game on steam speaks volume to me.

Modders added a jukebox and challenge pop-up in a month after the release of the game. What's your excuse Starbreeze ?

Dead franchise ?

So. Payday 3. What do I think about it ? Well: What I like: Gameplay: The core gameplay is insane. It's like Payday 2 and PDTH had a baby and it had all the good things for each other. It rewards you for being patient which Payday 2 doesn't really do. But it has a huge build diversity unlike PDTH. I miss the armor gating mecanic but I don't miss getting 2 shot by a Zeal across the map so there is that. Spawn cap is a mix of both game. There are enough spawns for you to not get bored but there isn't 100 cops in the map shootng you from all angle and through walls. The assault system is also great. It got simplified since PD2 and it's just a way better system. So long, drama abusing and welcome actual fade. Cops will actually leave the map to give you some space to breath or just do objectives something that cannot be said about PD2's system. AI is also wayyyy better. They scale with the difficulty you're playing on and it really feels like an actual AI. PD2's ai got murdered after Jules's game "balance" but even then, PD3 does it way better than the previous game ever did. Cops will take cover behind the shields coming to you. Naders will prioritize your corpse when you're getting cloacked. Of course, it has some flaws but for a 1.0 this game is already way better than PD2 ever was. Shooting your weapon feels pretty good and the balance isn't bad at all. I wish snipers would be better (I'm talking about the R900S aka the R700 in PD2) Maps: The maps are all pretty good all thinks considered. They're all fairly well designed. There is enough cover even when your forced to be out in the open. Objectives are diversified and not just "hack and wait" like a lot of heists in PD2 are. Yes, it's still "press F to do" type of objective but it feels wayyyyyy better in this game. There are a lot of different settings to choose from. A small bank, a bridge, a penthouse... Payday 2 release didn't have as much diversity. Bugs: From what I can see, the game seems to not have too many issues. There are some z-fighting here and there but overall it's a pretty smooth experience for me. There are some bugs with some gadgets or maps features but that's the kind of thing you expect from a new game. Nothing game breaking like PD2 have so that's just great ! Modding: Yes, modding is a good thing. I like having a Blahaj model replacing my bags. It's fun and hads to the longevity of a game. Just look at how many hours I have on PD2. I wouldn't have them if it wasn't for modding that's for sure ! What I don't like: User Interface: Please help. I know, Starbreeze. You're not that great at designing menus and stuff. Payday 2 did a lot of things right in it's 10 years of developement. Payday 3's UI really feels like it was quickly designed to be functionnal. It is functionnal but it's really not great. Crime.net should also return. I've seen some screenshots of a "debug menu" that looked like an early crime.net for PD3. I hope we'll see that interface soon enough in the retail version because trying to play in public is not a great experience. Also, you guys changed the name of the weapons from PD2/PDTH. Why and who asked for such a bad change. We had stuff like Bernetti, Spec Ops and all sort of things. Now, it's like SF-9PKUA. That's just not a good thing. Navigating the challenges is also painful. Also, I love the cutscenes but, when I press the R button to hide them I would like them to stay hidden. It's little QoL things here and there that makes me feel like there wasn't enough ressources or time to finish all of this properly. It's still in a functional state so there is that ! Matchmaking and servers: What I said about crime.net works for this topic too. The whole matchmaking deserves a rework. It's usable but it really doesn't feels good to use. Now, let's address the big elephant in the room: the servers. YES, this game is online only. Starbreeze, you did it again. After U237, you managed to self sabotage yourself with another awful decision. It's really really sad because this game is insanely good but come on now. Everybody told you that it was not a good idea. You guys actually listened for Denuvo so I hope you will also go back on that decision. Yes, servers are great. It lowers the chances of desync happening, you have more control over your game blablabla. It's great until it's not. Give us the option to play in P2P. Even if it's not cross-plateform. Give us the option. Like, you clic on a P2P button, a warning pop-up appears telling us that there won't be x2 exp available or whatever is happening at the time and if we proceed we just play the video game with our friends even if the servers are down. Anyway, I hope everyone at Starbreeze is doing well. You guys did a good job but that one bad decision could kill your company. I love the Payday franchise which is why despite the U237 I'm still here. Much love ! Edit: 30/11/2023 My review is now negative. Why ? Well... Starbreeze, of course. This game has a huge number of issues. Performance issues if you're not using DX12. No challenge pop-up despite freaking modders doing that kind of thing in a month after release. 150 completion for every heist in loud AND 150 completions in stealth as a "challenge". At first, I thought that it was just a shady tactic to keep players "entertained" while waiting for content but noooope. Content came with the 1.2 update and those two legacy maps aslo requires 150 completion EACH. For the love of Sydney, look at my FBI Files. Look at how many hours I have on PD2 and look how many heist I completed 150 times. There are like 13 or them. 300 completion ? I think there are 3 maps with that kind of grind put onto them. Mio said we we're going to "hate cloakers" well... No. I don't. I hate that you made them cringe. Cloaking the last man standing was a bad thing in PDTH and that's why it's not a thing in PD2. It's cringe. it's bad. If someone can clutch alone, he shouldn't get cloaked through a freaking wall by a cloaker. Yeah, through walls. Did I mentioned that this game on UE4 has more problem than PDTH and PD2 combined when it comes to detection ? While in PD2 it would happen from time to time to get cloaked through walls, in this game it happens every. single. games.It's been THREE months now. HOW. You can't blame the engine this time. What's your excuse ? Same thing with the guards in stealth. They often detect bodies through walls. Even in the beta of Payday 2 that kind of thing was not happening. Why and how ? Let's talk about that free content update AKA 1.2. Cook off is clearly not designed for this game. The scale is wayyy off. I feel like an ant with those big ass doors in the basement. It feels like I'm playing Lab Rats sometimes it's just crazy. Let's talk balance. Oh boy, Starbreeze you did it again. Yeah, you did good nerfing that 10s swan song. That's great. But, nerfing plate up ? Why ? Who asked for this ? You said you were going to give us a new way to get armor. Where is it ? All I'm seeing is the single most useful resources in the video game being nerfed to the ground without giving us that new thing you talked about. This whole armor change you guys did makes Payday 3 feel like a generic FPS. PDTH and Payday 2 are about armor gating and breakpoint. Why wouldn't you guys give us a good game ? We played PDTH and PD2 because the gameplay was insanely interesting and satisfying. Payday 3 is just "pwease give armor bag :(((((". It honestly feels like Warzone with the plate and stuff... This is not Payday. The fact that PDTH has more active players than this game on steam speaks volume to me. Modders added a jukebox and challenge pop-up in a month after the release of the game. What's your excuse Starbreeze ? Dead franchise ?