Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 34
  2. Negative: 4 out of 34
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  1. Mar 1, 2018
    80
    Payday 2 still is a very solid and funny cooperative shooter even on Switch, despite the lack of some content (heists, masks) you can find in the PC version.
  2. Feb 23, 2018
    80
    When played with friends, Payday 2 is the ultimate heist game, offering tons to see, do, and unlock.
  3. Apr 3, 2018
    76
    The great port offers a lot of potential for frustrations due to the lack of communication tools. The co-op fun ignites only with friends using Skype or similar tools.
  4. 76
    PAYDAY 2 on the Nintendo Switch is a very unique experience for the platform. The lack of voice chat hurts, and the game can be pretty repetitive at times in terms of what you do within the missions, but the game is undeniably fun, especially with friends. If you plan on playing with a group, it’s worth checking out. If you plan on going solo, you might want to wait for a price drop until they include some voice chat for random people. With that being said, I’ll end up putting way more time into PAYDAY 2 than I probably should, but I’ll have a damn fun time doing it!
  5. Mar 6, 2018
    75
    Payday 2 remains a unique experience in the FPS genre thanks to its subject matter and dedicated approach to team work. And while quite a bit has been said about how this Switch version isn’t up to date with all the content released on other platforms, the package doesn’t feel incomplete or even light on material as there is still lots to do. Furthermore, the game executes all the core mechanics well and looks good while doing it. Aside from a handful of small yet noticeable issues, the biggest problem remains the lack of in-game voice chat. Altogether, this means that this version of Payday 2 might not be the best way to experience the game, but it is certainly serviceable for those willing to go the extra mile to arrange for other voice chat solutions.
  6. Feb 23, 2018
    75
    Pure strategy and unexpected challenges all around. Although it doesn't reach the level of graphics that we are used to today, it has a wonderful setting, both in the level of detail in the stages and in its sound effects. It takes advantage of almost all the features of the Nintendo hybrid console.
  7. Mar 5, 2018
    72
    To date, we recommend purchasing Payday 2 only if you have a group of friends to play with, perhaps taking advantage of the local Nintendo wireless hybrid.
  8. Feb 23, 2018
    72
    Payday 2 is still a good, solid cooperative shooter, and the Nintendo Switch version offers plenty of characters, weapons, abilities and heists. However, graphics-wise the game fails to deliver and the lack of voice chat can't be ignored this time around.
  9. Mar 4, 2018
    70
    Payday 2 on Nintendo Switch will not revolutionize the genre, but it's a very good porting, except for some technical issues and no voice chat at launch. An enjoyable cooperative FPS, so far.
  10. Feb 26, 2018
    70
    Payday 2 is an absolute ball when it’s at its best. It gives such a good feeling as you grow from nothing, gradually unlocking more effective skills and equipment and taking on tougher heists. It’s even better when you’re playing with other people because you can complement each other with your different skillsets and split up the mission objectives between each other; there’s a harmony in the chaos you cause. The unfortunate thing though is that between the missing content and the performance issues, the Switch port is far from the definitive version. As someone who already loved the game I can endure the drawbacks in order to get a portable version of the game, because it is really good when it comes together! But at the same time it’s so hard to recommend newcomers to take a gamble with it at full RRP. Wait for a sale or a patch, because there’s something great hiding behind the issues.
  11. Feb 25, 2018
    70
    As with other games, PayDay 2 sacrifices some content and updates to make it to the Switch. If you don't care that much about the content and having the game on a hybrid platform is appealing, then you'll enjoy this version.
  12. Feb 23, 2018
    70
    Payday 2 is definitely getting long in the tooth, but the game’s appearance on Nintendo Switch is a good, solid port of the game. All of the same quirks and quibbles remain the same, there’s the lingering question from how the game has been supported in the past, and there’s the simple fact that we’ve seen all of this in higher fidelity elsewhere, but if you’ve got a burning desire for some co-op heisting fun on Switch, then this will scratch your itch to live outside the law.
  13. Feb 23, 2018
    70
    While PayDay 2 certainly needs a touch of polish and a bit more love given to it, OVERKILL has a solid game on their hands. If they give the Nintendo Switch version the continued support they gave the previously-released versions of the game, I see a great, and beautiful future ahead.
  14. Feb 23, 2018
    70
    Payday 2’s devotion to its core gameplay mantra makes it a unique way to team up with other players on Switch, but it does seal the game’s mechanics in a time capsule that only serves to noticeably age it when seen through the prism of 2018. The inclusion of many of the game’s far more exciting DLC missions as standard does make its diverse mix of heists a more tantalising prospect for new adopters, and the relatively smooth port means it's a great way to experience the FPS on a handheld, but with the game launching with a year's worth of updates and content missing make its relatively high price tag stick out like a sore thumb.
  15. Feb 22, 2018
    70
    Despite bringing all the content for its plethora of releases, Payday 2 simply needed a touch more polish to truly feel at home on the Switch. If OVERKILL continuously supports this version of Payday 2 like it supports its PC counterpart, I see a vivid future where rare random framerate issues, unresponsive AI, and blurry textures can truly be a long forgotten memory.
  16. Feb 26, 2018
    68
    At the end of the day, Payday 2 for the Nintendo Switch is a comprehensive collection of one of the better co-op shooters in recent years. It hasn't aged well technically, the AI is still pretty dumb, it misses some updates that other versions have, it's inferior in performance, and the Switch still lacks the ability to communicate with strangers, and unfortunately, that takes away a lot of the fun. It's still a fun shooter to play with friends, and even without them, it can hold up reasonably well since the Switch lacks appealing alternatives. If you can look past the steep entry fee and have no other platform to play it on, this will probably do. Otherwise, you're better off picking up one of the other versions, since offline play and portability are not much of a benefit for Payday 2 on the Switch.
  17. Feb 27, 2018
    65
    An old style remake that is beginning to be "too old for this shit" in terms of gameplay and visuals.
  18. 65
    For those who have a dedicated group to play with online there are hours worth of fun to be had overcoming the more difficult challenges. However, If you’ll need to rely on random players the fun can only go so far without any form of communication. And if playing solo is your only option, I’d highly suggest thinking twice because quite frankly playing alone is not very much fun at all.
  19. Mar 7, 2018
    60
    Quotation forthcoming.
  20. Mar 2, 2018
    60
    Payday 2 has become old. Despite its news features like local multiplayer or a new character, the Nintendo Switch version is not ideal - and its more expensive than others.
  21. Feb 23, 2018
    60
    Should you get Payday 2 on Switch? Well if you want an interesting multiplayer shooter and don’t have access to it on other platforms, sure. Otherwise? Probably not. Maybe wait to see how things are after an update or two.
  22. Feb 23, 2018
    60
    There are some nice ideas here, but especially in handheld mode, Payday 2 can be very frustrating.
  23. Apr 24, 2018
    50
    PAYDAY 2 for the Nintendo Switch features plenty of content and varied missions but it cannot be seen as a fine conversion work when its AI is pitiful, the graphics are very much outdated and the one player experience is terribly dull. While it may be fun on multiplayer, PAYDAY 2 needs a lot more to stand out if it intends to prove itself.
  24. Mar 17, 2018
    50
    On the Nintendo Switch, Overkill could have offered the definitive PayDay 2. Some strange design choices and the lack of certain features (no online voice chat) prevent the game from reaching its true potential. And that's too bad as PayDay 2 really could have been a fun game on the Switch. Only people who will get to try the game's local co-op will get a glimpse of what could have been.
  25. 50
    Payday 2 can be a fun little time-sink, if you’ve got some friends to join you on your bank-robbing escapades. However, due to a lack of voice-chat, some soul-crushingly lackluster AI, and regular performance issues, the game's fun is often the real prisoner that gets held hostage.
  26. Mar 1, 2018
    50
    Payday 2 reveals its worst in the Nintendo Switch. Even though it is not a bad port, the Overkill game and the Nintendo Switch does not seem to get along. Good gameplay, but this is the worst version of the game nowadays.
  27. Feb 24, 2018
    50
    Ultimately it doesn't matter which way you decide to play; you're having to compromise somehow, which is the story of Payday 2 on the Switch.
  28. Feb 23, 2018
    50
    PayDay 2 is a solid port that runs surprisingly well on the Switch. Sadly, that doesn't mean the game is actually enjoyable as numerous problems with gameplay, controls and AI result in a lacklustre experience.
  29. Feb 23, 2018
    50
    It is the most content-complete version of Payday 2. On the other hand, it’s still a five-year-old game that really hasn’t aged that well and doesn’t seem to have all the updates that other versions have received.
  30. 50
    Payday 2 is a very competent FPS game that allows you to tackle it in just about any way imaginable. Unfortunately, when it comes to the Nintendo Switch version, the price, performance and the fact that content is lacking behind versions that have been out for years will only make it worth purchasing for gamers who are desperate for a new FPS on the go.
  31. Mar 2, 2018
    45
    The sad part is that with some real work put into it, Payday 2 could have been awesome on the Switch. If some of the old problems had been solved, motion controls included and the graphics updated, that would have been a great start. Instead, I’m left with poor visuals, glitching enemies, terrible AI and no way to coordinate with anyone who wants to play. As it stands, it’s extraordinarily difficult to recommend this version of Payday 2 when better versions of this broken game exist at half price on other platforms.
  32. Apr 5, 2018
    40
    If you're already familiar with Payday 2 and are dying to play the game on the go with a group of equally excited friends, then Payday 2 on Switch will scratch that itch. For those unfamiliar with the Payday series looking to give it a whirl, you're better off sticking to the far cheaper (and feature complete) version of the game on PC. Meanwhile, everyone else should probably spend their money on something much newer and fresher than this.
  33. Feb 26, 2018
    40
    The flawed original is already showing its age, but this poor quality Switch port is Payday 2 at its very worst.
  34. Feb 23, 2018
    40
    Payday 2 continues to maintain a very dedicated audience, but even fans of the game are unlikely to enjoy what’s being put forward for Nintendo Switch. Stripped-back visuals, poor performance and a lack of adaptation to the console results in a shoddy port at best...It’s ironic that a game about heists is trying to jump on a bandwagon and rob you of your hard-earned cash.
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 45
  2. Negative: 19 out of 45
  1. Feb 27, 2018
    3
    It's below average for a game. Firstly the game runs terribly, in a heated situation the frame rate drops significantly and even in a calmIt's below average for a game. Firstly the game runs terribly, in a heated situation the frame rate drops significantly and even in a calm part the frame rate still dips. And the game it self looks terrible, how did Doom come out on the same system when that looks so much better and even it runs better. Not to mention theres no voice chat or any way of communication. It's a more broken boring game that was originally boring and broken just to re-sell for a quick buck. Full Review »
  2. Mar 14, 2018
    0
    This port is basically the borderlands 2 of the vita, just a cash grab. Payday 2 was already a terribly optimized game, but the switch is byThis port is basically the borderlands 2 of the vita, just a cash grab. Payday 2 was already a terribly optimized game, but the switch is by for the worst of them all. It's like they didn't even try. Good luck trying to play with a steady 30 fps. Oh and the UI is still the worst thing since windows vista. Full Review »
  3. Mar 6, 2018
    3
    I enjoyed the game on PC and thought I would enjoy it on-the-go but... No.
    Nothing new, no particular effort put in the game.
    Unlike Skyrim,
    I enjoyed the game on PC and thought I would enjoy it on-the-go but... No.
    Nothing new, no particular effort put in the game.
    Unlike Skyrim, the magic didn't happen here.
    Full Review »