In my first 20 minutes with a preview build of Payday 3 at Gamescom, I was immediately struck by how the game manages to capture the essence of the series while introducing exciting new changes. As always, character customization played a significant role in my gameplay experience, as I spent a considerable amount of time perfecting my heister’s look, complete with a gaudy metal mask resembling a purple donut.
Traditionally, I tended to favor a stealthy approach in previous Payday games, but this time, I intentionally diverged from the given muscly setup to see how much Payday 3 had altered the formula. Joined by my teammates, we embarked on the Port Jersey heist, where our goal was to locate valuable quantum processors within a yard of shipping containers. However, our heist quickly turned into a loud and chaotic firefight, leaving my stealth abilities feeling somewhat underutilized.
Thankfully, Payday 3 embraces player freedom more than ever before. Despite my initial lack of preparation for a loud approach, my stealth skills still proved useful. I was able to open locked doors to create escape routes, mark guards for more efficient takedowns, and utilize my Infiltrator abilities to gather loot faster than the rest of the team. Although our heist ultimately ended in failure, the experience highlighted the game’s adaptability and the importance of coordination among teammates.
Lead producer Andreas Häll Penninger emphasized the game’s focus on player choice and avoiding failure. In Payday 3, failing a stealth heist should not be seen as a complete failure, but rather an opportunity to learn and try again. The game encourages players to experiment with different approaches and creates incentives for staying in the heist.
To ensure a smooth transition towards more player freedom, Starbreeze Studios has introduced several changes. The concealment rating has been removed, and new stealth phases have been added to prevent immediate failure. Additionally, the implementation of Security Modifiers, such as indestructible cameras and relentless guards, adds to the challenge and keeps experienced players engaged.
Despite the increased freedom, effective communication and coordination with teammates remain crucial. Häll Penninger believes that the game’s design will create moments of panic and excitement that require players to rely on each other and strategize carefully.
Overall, Payday 3 offers a promising blend of familiar elements and innovative changes. With enhanced player freedom, the game invites heisters to approach each heist in their unique way while still emphasizing the importance of teamwork and coordination.
Sources:
– Polygon: [source]
– Starbreeze Studios, Overkill Software/Deep Silver (image)
