Soldier of Fortune: Payback

 PC
User Score
4.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 95
  3. Negative: 52 out of 95

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  1. JonathanM
    Nov 28, 2011
    5
    I don't even know what to say about this game... It got some pretty bad reviews, and I can understand why: the AI was very poorly written, the save system is bad, it starts off not having anything to do with the previous two S.O.F.'s, and the game progresses slowly. However, aside from these flaws is a very okay game. It looks really nice (problem here is you can't change the quality, forI don't even know what to say about this game... It got some pretty bad reviews, and I can understand why: the AI was very poorly written, the save system is bad, it starts off not having anything to do with the previous two S.O.F.'s, and the game progresses slowly. However, aside from these flaws is a very okay game. It looks really nice (problem here is you can't change the quality, for lower end PC owners, like me,) and the gore system is returned, adding that nice touch of realism. To wrap everything up: I say, check out this game, but don't bother wasting money buying it, play it at a friend's house or pirate it. Save your money for the much better Soldier of Fortune 1 or 2.… Expand
  2. AlanR
    Jun 2, 2008
    7
    There aren't many good single player games out there- still if you enjoy the series for what it is.. violent.. then you should like this one too- acting is terrible but think of it as a sort of Duke Nukem bad and you'll get by. Multiplayer? Meh.. Buy CoD4 if you want good run and gun playing.
  3. Glaice
    Jun 10, 2013
    4
    I actually thought this was going to be a good or at least OK game, boy was I wrong. I do know the graphics and the gore in the game were all right but there were a number of things that made this game fall apart. One of course was the lack of manual saving, which irritated me since both previous SOF titles had this. Another would be the irritating voiceovers for the player that wouldI actually thought this was going to be a good or at least OK game, boy was I wrong. I do know the graphics and the gore in the game were all right but there were a number of things that made this game fall apart. One of course was the lack of manual saving, which irritated me since both previous SOF titles had this. Another would be the irritating voiceovers for the player that would repeat if it was the beginning of a mission. I believe there were bugs and other issues that also made me facepalm, including crashes if I recalled.

    This game is an atrocity to the SOF series and essentially killed it thanks to this budget knock off with the SOF titled slapped on it.    … Expand
  4. BrettH.
    Aug 16, 2008
    0
    One word for Activision, "FAIL". They have irrepairibly damaged the SOF name with this monstrositiy that is SoF: Payback.
  5. MakoI.
    Nov 30, 2007
    1
    The gore is horrible. It doesn't even come close to the original Soldier of Fortune's GHOUL gore engine thing. This game is barley playable because of the health system. It's like Call of Duty's, but the levels dont have any cover. The multiplayer is a joke. you shoot from spawn point to spawn point on some of the maps, and you can't even tell the other players to The gore is horrible. It doesn't even come close to the original Soldier of Fortune's GHOUL gore engine thing. This game is barley playable because of the health system. It's like Call of Duty's, but the levels dont have any cover. The multiplayer is a joke. you shoot from spawn point to spawn point on some of the maps, and you can't even tell the other players to stop spawn killing because there is text based team chat, let alone voice chat. the original games were way better then this garbage.… Expand
  6. ThomasW.
    Dec 8, 2007
    1
    The gore system isn't even anything superior to it's predecessors. And considering that's what people are picking up the game for, they've lost their best selling point from the word go. Where Soldier of Fortune 2, had dynamic entry/exit wounds and smash away skull sections, in SoF:Payback were treated to a few very average decapitations, and lame blood splatter decals The gore system isn't even anything superior to it's predecessors. And considering that's what people are picking up the game for, they've lost their best selling point from the word go. Where Soldier of Fortune 2, had dynamic entry/exit wounds and smash away skull sections, in SoF:Payback were treated to a few very average decapitations, and lame blood splatter decals everywhere else. In fact, I would go as far to say that the gore system in Bioshock was better, and that speaks for itself. As for the storyline, short and tacky, absolutely no cover anywhere in the levels, it's pretty much you getting shot at constantly, trying to work out where the enemies are behind the lame 2d esque scenery. How Activision could have even released this, thinking it was a complete game is beyond me, if you want the full on gory experience just pick up a copy of SoF2. Activision Value have completely butchered this series. I can't belive I picked up this game over Call Of Duty 4, worst £30 i've spent in my life. I've given it a 1, because the weapon models and reload animations look pretty cool, but it's definitely not enough to sell the game.… Expand
  7. SimonF.
    Jan 8, 2008
    1
    Activision have used the same engine as their 'History Channel' games (Blue and Grey and Pacific...erm.... Oh dear...those games were so naff I cant remember the titles anyway!!) I don't know who 'Cauldron' are...but I suggest they go and jump in one after SOF Payback!!!
  8. Sneaks
    Aug 28, 2009
    0
    first of all i wish the rating tab here went into negative numbers if you just want a mindless shooter go find a good old classic like duke nuke 'em 3d or blood or the first couple of doom games the only thing this game as going for it is the dismemberment/gore but hell even that gets screwed over since corpses disappear after 30 seconds sure we got around 30 weapons but your enemies first of all i wish the rating tab here went into negative numbers if you just want a mindless shooter go find a good old classic like duke nuke 'em 3d or blood or the first couple of doom games the only thing this game as going for it is the dismemberment/gore but hell even that gets screwed over since corpses disappear after 30 seconds sure we got around 30 weapons but your enemies only use about 4 of them through out the game meaning you'll be running out of ammo after the first few dusin of bad guys and forced you grab one of their unmodded weapons speaking of modded weapons that is always a nice feature but here is useless and beyound you get about 8 versions of scopes / a choice between handgrip for better accuracy or a nade launcher for most assulet rifels / and a silencer which due to the utter lack of any thing that even remotely resembles "stealth" does nothing but chance the sound the gun makes now i aint saying we should be able to jump out of the shadows and knife the bad guys without anyone noticeing but a little bit of sneaking around would be nice but nope aint gonna happen as soon as you down that first enemy EVERYONE know exactly where you are at ALL times even if they're 50 miles away they will shoot at you offent with insane accruacy (think shotgun shell being fired through jungle underbrush and trees from 200 meters away and hitting you square in the face and you get the idea) there is barely any story to it either and the little there is is just bad and horribly scripted with basicly no ending just some random non sense makeing radio chatter and then credits gank you from out of nowhere the game is only a whooping 5 levels long so atleast you wont be wasting too much of you life if you happen to deside to play it but if you do be prepared for major frustration due to lack of save features and no customization for graphics or ANYTHING for that matter /end rant im gonna go play a nice game of pong now atleast thats remotely entertaining… Expand
  9. DorianBrown
    Nov 22, 2007
    4
    Im afraid i cant comment on the actual content of the game, because i couldnt get to the content! There was so little effort put into the production that they actually dont allow you to lower the graphics level... Iv got a mobility x1600, which played crysis reasonably, and i couldnt play this on the lowest settings at anything above 15fps. absolutely horrible...
  10. MattS.
    Nov 30, 2007
    0
    This is one of the worst FPS games on the PC, its a generic call of duty ripoff, its a direct port from console to PC with nothing added.
  11. DavidG.
    Feb 11, 2008
    3
    Horrible! It ruined the whole Series. Story is just bullshit, Very Buggy, Horrible Voice's and Retarded Enemies, only reason this game earns a 3 is due to the blood and gore ingame... Only that!
  12. ClayR.
    Mar 7, 2008
    3
    First, the good: It's not half bad looking. The environments, if uninspired, are still very easy on the eyes. There's a lack of detail work, but the graphics engine isn't too shabby; it even performs well. It's violent, and the gore is more than a little excessive as it only takes a few shots to an arm to totally tear the thing off. Then there's the bad: The AI is First, the good: It's not half bad looking. The environments, if uninspired, are still very easy on the eyes. There's a lack of detail work, but the graphics engine isn't too shabby; it even performs well. It's violent, and the gore is more than a little excessive as it only takes a few shots to an arm to totally tear the thing off. Then there's the bad: The AI is completely stupid. They either simply charge mindlessly at you or they camp and wait to ambush. With the former, they're pretty much gonna die as they don't even shoot at you; and with the latter, they'll either have a limb poking out to give them away or they'll instantly kill you if you fail to spot them. As for the so-called story line, it's complete and utter garbage. The characters are introduced in a shoddy fashion, the voice acting is atrocious, and the dialog itself is just as bad. Gameplay is also lacking, and all the maps are extremely linear with a waypoint on your HUD always telling you where to go. Long story short, I only picked it up because I found it on a clearance rack for an extremely low price. I sure wouldn't pay full for it.… Expand
  13. perpallesen
    May 22, 2008
    0
    Maby i shoul give it 1 cos it does start up and you can play it ...but then again this game might have been a more enjoyable experience if it infact didn't start up, playing this game is so weird graphix are like a mix between 10 year old graphix and "next-gen" the ai and enemy skins are appalling the map design and textures could be done better by a 5 yo with a yellow and brownMaby i shoul give it 1 cos it does start up and you can play it ...but then again this game might have been a more enjoyable experience if it infact didn't start up, playing this game is so weird graphix are like a mix between 10 year old graphix and "next-gen" the ai and enemy skins are appalling the map design and textures could be done better by a 5 yo with a yellow and brown crayon... it's stupid boring ugly bad faulty annoying appalling terrible its the diametrical opposite of fun and entertaining ...it's almost the worst game i've ever played... and btw i really loved sof 1 and 2 and all i hoped for was sof 2 with better graphix and new missions... instead i got THIS!!!!… Expand
  14. DaniloB.
    Jun 7, 2008
    1
    One of the crappiest FPS I've ever seen, and I've seen plenty. Don't even THINK to buy this game.
  15. [Anonymous]
    Aug 4, 2008
    2
    Activision ruined this game. Not enough budget to the developers, and that resulted in this horrible game. Cauldron is more capable than this.
  16. Chris
    Apr 22, 2009
    4
    Why would this have NO MANUAL SAVE FEATURE? It's only checkpoints which gets incredibly irritating to hear voice actors over and over at the beginning of certain levels. Besides the bloody gameplay, this game is nothing interesting and makes an embarrassment of the SoF series.
  17. E
    Jul 25, 2009
    0
    This gamne in no way resembles the SOF franchise before it. Terrible graphics, AI, gameplay and everything else you can think of. I will never get the couple of hours I wasted on this game back. Do yourself a favor and stay far away from this "game."
  18. HarriM.
    Nov 15, 2007
    2
    Now this is something unbelievable crap. I cant award the game more than just two points, because A) It hang up a few seconds after level got loaded and B) it sucks terribly technically. I was not able to choose any larger resolution than 800*600, and turning and moving was like in ten years old FPS games. Mouse sensitivity was terribly high and so on. I also had serious sound issues, Now this is something unbelievable crap. I cant award the game more than just two points, because A) It hang up a few seconds after level got loaded and B) it sucks terribly technically. I was not able to choose any larger resolution than 800*600, and turning and moving was like in ten years old FPS games. Mouse sensitivity was terribly high and so on. I also had serious sound issues, barely could hear any game voices, just some random gibberish. One point for game starting up, second point for the notorious Soldier of Fortune name. Dont touch this garbage.… Expand
  19. UnhappyPanda
    Nov 16, 2007
    1
    This is not soldier of fortune it is a joke.
  20. HansJ.
    Nov 26, 2007
    1
    This game really isn't worth your time the graphics are great but the game has huge issues frame rates drop at random points and some people had blackscreens while trying to play the game is totally redicilous it is an fps game which takes place in the current time but it's so unreal. you have to kill some arabian dude with 5 grenade shells and 4 x 30 mags of bullets before he This game really isn't worth your time the graphics are great but the game has huge issues frame rates drop at random points and some people had blackscreens while trying to play the game is totally redicilous it is an fps game which takes place in the current time but it's so unreal. you have to kill some arabian dude with 5 grenade shells and 4 x 30 mags of bullets before he drops to his knees same goes for another one I fired 16 grenade shells and he wasn't dead it's just crap all the way Don't buy this game! Don't ever play this game! Activition value should be ashamed.… Expand
  21. Michael
    Dec 16, 2007
    1
    Absolutely agree with everyone before me. this a pile of garbage, value game, but i dont blame the Developer Cauldron, the guildty one is AcTiVision for being cheap and greedy not to pay more the developers to make a better game. They just butchered the freanchise that Rven soft so carefully and built upon the loyal base of PC gamers, the pc version of Payback is just a cheap Console Absolutely agree with everyone before me. this a pile of garbage, value game, but i dont blame the Developer Cauldron, the guildty one is AcTiVision for being cheap and greedy not to pay more the developers to make a better game. They just butchered the freanchise that Rven soft so carefully and built upon the loyal base of PC gamers, the pc version of Payback is just a cheap Console port. Ok by yall. I gave 1 for a good graphics, weapons models, reload animations which is not emoch to save this game. very sad.… Expand
  22. JustinS.
    Feb 21, 2008
    0
    Absolutely horrible. I've been playing Soldier of Fortune II for years, and even that one is better than this atrocity. To anyone reading this: Don't play this game.
  23. LuisL.
    May 28, 2008
    1
    I've played SOFII for years just like everybody else that has voting or played the SOF series. This game had alot of hype and alot of anticipation. But once I started getting into it, I couldn't. I do blame Cauldron because there were talks of patches and 5 months later still no patches. There has not been anything said, so why try to make a quick dollar if you can't at I've played SOFII for years just like everybody else that has voting or played the SOF series. This game had alot of hype and alot of anticipation. But once I started getting into it, I couldn't. I do blame Cauldron because there were talks of patches and 5 months later still no patches. There has not been anything said, so why try to make a quick dollar if you can't at least make the effort to support and keep the people happy.… Expand
  24. AlexiK
    Dec 23, 2009
    1
    Even though im pritty sick and love to watch body parts fly EVERYWHERE, this game got so boring after the 4th or so mission i decided to quit and do something better and more entertaining, such as stubb my toe against my desk.
  25. RajeshR.
    Nov 23, 2007
    0
    SoF, one of the most sucessful FPS series has been severely let down by this awful pile of crap that is Payback, the third in the series. Whoever at Activision decided to hand it down to their red headed step children budget company and let Cauldron LLC develop it is a total moron. Everything about the game is crap and there is not one single feature that redeems it. A HUGE disappointment SoF, one of the most sucessful FPS series has been severely let down by this awful pile of crap that is Payback, the third in the series. Whoever at Activision decided to hand it down to their red headed step children budget company and let Cauldron LLC develop it is a total moron. Everything about the game is crap and there is not one single feature that redeems it. A HUGE disappointment for SoF fans and even FPS fans. It plays and feels like a console shooter. In fact, as soon as you get to the menu screens, it feels like a direct port and I think it is. There aren't even any graphics options, except to change the resolution and you can't even chat in multiplayer. The gameplay is awful, you just fun and shoot and your enemies barely even move out of the way unless you throw a grenade at them. The storyline is pathetic and has very little if any relationship to the previous games. DO NOT but this game whatever you do. This game deserves to die and rot in hell, it is a total embarrassment to the series and should not even be counted as part of it. Activision, you should be ashamed of yourselves.… Expand
  26. GlennMan
    Oct 26, 2010
    2
    This game is an abomination to the other games in this awesome franchise.
    I don't know what they were thinking when they brought this game in to the world, I've played numerous made mods that are way better and less buggy than this. They have really overdone the gore on this game too, I guess that's because that is the only thing this game has to offer. If there will ever be another    This game is an abomination to the other games in this awesome franchise.
    I don't know what they were thinking when they brought this game in to the world, I've played numerous made mods that are way better and less buggy than this. They have really overdone the gore on this game too, I guess that's because that is the only thing this game has to offer. If there will ever be another Soldier of Fortune game they should call it Soldier of Fortune 3 and just forget this piece of ****    … Expand
  27. JackobAwesome
    May 30, 2008
    10
    I found the story in this game lacking, but the action fun, and the weapon selection and customization effective. The game held up to repeated play purely because it was easy and fun and was a shooter. Don't expect anything more from a ten dollar game than a ten dollar game.
  28. JeffM.
    Jun 9, 2008
    10
    I loved it! Last SOF was great but not as good as this one.
  29. Siggi06
    Jun 1, 2008
    8
    I think its quiet because online it rocks.But there are many mistakes like the horrible story or the stupid enemys.
  30. JaredJ
    Nov 13, 2009
    7
    This is the first in the series I played, and boy was it retro. Let me explain, I say that because everything in it is "classic." Such as the boss battles. None of this headshot crap, it is unload everything into them like 90's games did. Graphics are just a little bit above par. Story, why is everyone mad about it, I got it. Mason has two obsticals, the Wall brothers and his own This is the first in the series I played, and boy was it retro. Let me explain, I say that because everything in it is "classic." Such as the boss battles. None of this headshot crap, it is unload everything into them like 90's games did. Graphics are just a little bit above par. Story, why is everyone mad about it, I got it. Mason has two obsticals, the Wall brothers and his own revenge. Levels are short and quick, but no problem, up the difficulty and play again. I love the weapon customization. All in all it is a very standard shooter. Die hard fans might like it, but I think it's the second best in the series.… Expand
  31. Didacticus
    Oct 17, 2013
    8
    This game is smooth shooting. I loved it. The locations are nice and look beautiful. Sometimes it's too hard because you can not save. Great atmosphere!
  32. Penis-is-big
    May 15, 2019
    0
    10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES 10/10 HITBOXES… Expand
  33. william42589
    May 25, 2014
    9
    O jogo é bom, não é aquela coisa de melhor jogo do ano... ele tem bastante bugs e ele não é leve, além de não ter nenhuma configuração de ajuste gráfico!! A história é bem confusa e Os inimigos são todos uma cópia exata um do outro... mas fora isso, é bom sim!!

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007
24
#24 Most Shared PC Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
45

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 13
  3. Negative: 7 out of 13
  1. ActionTrip
    49
    If senseless, over-the-top violence can keep you entertained, you'll be done with the single-player portion in several hours, after which you might want to get into the multiplayer. Yet, this is just another mundane aspect of the game, featuring nothing beyond the traditional deathmatch, CTF and so on.
    Read full review
  2. IGN
    59
    Soldier of Fortune: Payback has one thing going for it: excessive dismemberment. Everything else is standard stuff for a shooter. Yet, I must admit, that I get a guilty pleasure playing Payback. Though it's not a good game, it's still fun to see body parts fly.
    Read full review
  3. GameSpot
    45
    This shooter is a painful exercise in pattern memorization plus frustrating trial-and-error gameplay.
    Read full review
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