Payday: The Heist

 PlayStation 3
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 84 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 84
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 84
  3. Negative: 16 out of 84

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  1. sinadoom
    Dec 2, 2012
    3
    If I weigh up the fors and againsts on this game, I would reach the conclusion that it can get a maximum of 3/10 from me. There are 6 levels that come with the game, and the retail price at launch was £15. So effectively you're paying £3 per level (since you can't do anything other than play each level through). So in terms of value for money, it's basically like buying anIf I weigh up the fors and againsts on this game, I would reach the conclusion that it can get a maximum of 3/10 from me. There are 6 levels that come with the game, and the retail price at launch was £15. So effectively you're paying £3 per level (since you can't do anything other than play each level through). So in terms of value for money, it's basically like buying an expensive map pack DLC. So what about the level design itself? There is absolutely no innovation whatsoever. All the levels are the same, with almost no thought gone into level design at all. Not only are the levels not at all suspensful or intesne (as you'd expect from say, a bank robbery), but they are so predictable and lifeless too. Characters are copy and pasted, and are practically pointless as they seem like Joker's henchmen from a Batman movie. There's no sense that you're simulating an exciting heist and that there is a lot of pressure or co-ordination required. It's extremely linear and scripted, so feels very bland and unrealistic. Even GTA IV and GTA Vice City did better heists. The best by far is the bank robbery in Mafia 1 as that is not only realistic and believable (because you literally do everything - the planning, setting up, entry, execution and escape). Fair enough, the AI guards are placed in different spots each time but the game's mechanics are so broken it might as well be the same. Graphics on human models are the worst I've seen in this generation, and their intelligence is also questionable. Health system is ambigious, and enemies are not only dull, repetitive and dumb but also annoying when you get tazered and can't do anything. Graphics are average for an arcade game, but shockingly bad for a retail release. You also can't customise anything until you level up and the game automatically unlocks advantages such as extra damage and ammo capacity along with weapons. Ammo is a big problem also in this game. So what is there to stop this being a 0/10? Well, the controls are sensible and the combat is solid. Online is almost lag-free; a welcome change from most PS3 games. I suppose if you play with people you know it has potential to be fun, but so do Nintendo Wii games. If we're purely judging the game, the only thing it's actually not totally messed up is controls and online lag. Other than that, I see no reason to get this game at all. Lack of levels, short levels, boring, repetitive, lack of action, terrible mechanics for stealth, no involvement from the player, completely scripted and not at all intesnse, immersive or engaging. A viable concept if executed correctly but I really can't see how it could have possibly been executed any worse.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. TheSixthAxis
    Feb 2, 2012
    70
    If you have a small group of friends with whom you usually buddy up to play shooters, PayDay is definitely worth looking into. Despite only having six playable missions, there's a ton of depth when you consider the titanic ranking system and numerous difficulty settings. On the flipside, if you're the sort who likes to ruck up with AI partners then caution is advised; going solo is considerably more time-consuming and almost impossible if playing on Overkill difficulty.
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  2. Play UK
    Jan 9, 2012
    88
    A solid FPS that requires canny planning and teamwork to succeed. [Issue#213, p.96]
  3. Official PlayStation Magazine Benelux
    Jan 2, 2012
    73
    First you are confronted by regular police agents, then SWAT-teams and in the end even the FBI gets involved. To survive the constant stream of enemies teamwork is key. Even more so because you have a long list of objectives to fulfill. [December 2011, p.104]
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