A possible successor to the classics that revolutionized

PAYDAY 3 Beta, developed by Overkill Software and published by Deep Silver, is in the testing phase from August 02, 2023, to August 07, 2023, and available for Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series S and X, and PlayStation 5 platforms. 

Being a successor to the acclaimed PAYDAY: The Heist and PAYDAY 2, the PAYDAY 3 beta has arrived to give fans a taste of what the final version of the game will be.

With a period of five days to test what this testing period has to offer, I could see that the game follows the same recipe as its predecessors, having a cooperative focus, being able to be played in multiplayer or alone with artificial intelligence, like an FPS, and having several interesting mechanics but not being very innovative compared mainly to its predecessor. 



Great heists, costumes, and improvements 

The testing period of PAYDAY 3 was intended to present new features, graphical improvements, and mechanics expected for its official release. Therefore, despite a very simplified version of what the game will be in its definitive release, it is possible to notice several improvements, mainly in gameplay. 

Thus, a highlight would be the fluidity of the animations and movement of the characters in general, in addition to the obvious graphic improvement, which, although essential to increasing the immersion of the game, also limits the access of players with weaker machines who have PAYDAY 2 until today. 

However, this detail is not a negative point; the project has undoubtedly evolved and requires more modern equipment for the experience to be as good as it could be. 

PAYDAY 3 Beta was very promising and created great expectations and hype for fans of the series. Even though it did not bring great content innovations beyond maps, weapons, skins, and skills, the recipe remained the same as we already knew: great robberies, a very wide variety of weapons, grenades, auxiliary equipment, hostage control, and objectives to fulfill. 

The customization part of the characters so far seemed practically identical to PAYDAY 2, the masks that are a trademark of the trilogy continue to be very well worked, and in general, the whole aesthetic part had a significant improvement in graphics. 

Following the same logic as its predecessors, PAYDAY 3, although relatively simple, will be very difficult to master. Mainly due to the presence of very dense skill trees and a wide variety of equipment that can be incorporated into different builds, making strategies a point to be explored a lot, especially in stealth mechanics that are exalted even in the launch trailers. 

Because it is a testing period, there is no story to be analyzed, and the playable content is very short and does not give many spoilers about the plot that will be presented in the future.



Is there really a new proposal? 

Speaking of the mechanics in PAYDAY 3, despite having previously mentioned that there were no major innovations to the proposal in the other games, what is presented to us so far is something better elaborated, more fluid, and more dynamic, since, compared to PAYDAY 2, which currently has a good part of the characteristics dated by the age of the project, we can see the clear development and improvements. 

What caught my attention the most were the numerous possibilities to start the robberies and how the transition of events occurs in a natural way. While everything is very calm and ready to be solved in a non-violent way, if we miss some detail or enter some forbidden place, everything changes, the security guards become aggressive, and the initial plan is discarded, leaving only the solution of violence. 

To add to the immersion of the game and consequently accompany the release of new content, the beta phase was quite promising in the sense of support items and weapons offered. Several weapons are available, and each has unique gameplay that individualizes the player and causes the feeling that the strategy adopted can be the key to the success of the mission. 

In addition, PAYDAY 3 Beta also delivers good customization and personalization options for the characters. 

The combat of the game has also been improved; as a fundamental part of the project, I felt that the evolution is very clear and causes a good feeling of responsiveness; however, as in its predecessors, the artificial intelligence of the enemies is not good, especially in slightly lower difficulties; many times the enemies are on your side, standing still, looking at you, without firing even a shot, which is one of its negative points. 

Still, on the negative points, I realized that the optimization during the testing period was very precarious; even doing performance tests, at various times the frame drops were so abrupt that, in addition to being very annoying, it practically made it unplayable. 

I believe that because it is a beta test, it may not have been the focus, but it greatly hinders the development of assault and combat. 

The controls are customizable and well-programmed; being multiplatform, it is possible to use joysticks, a mouse, and a keyboard, leaving nothing to be desired. 

The audio was also good, with good songs, well-stirred sound effects of the shots, and interactions with the environment, with a clear improvement in the quality of dubbing, a negative point highlighted in the analysis of Payday 2. 



A solid foundation for its successor 

My experience with PAYDAY 3 Beta was good and gave me a good impression of what awaits us in its official release. I managed to have a lot of fun, took advantage of as many customizations as possible, and put into practice the available mechanics, with an emphasis on hostage management and defense of the escape van, points of the assault that are often frantic and of essential importance. 

PAYDAY 3 Beta was promising, and if it follows the path of PAYDAY: The Heist and PAYDAY 2, it will surely be very successful when officially launched on September 21, 2023. Because it is a testing period, what we saw will not necessarily be present in the final version of the game, but the one presented is quite satisfactory. 



For this review, the game was played on a PC using the Steam platform. Thanks to Overkill Software and Deep Silver for providing the access key.