Payday 3 Closed Beta Impressions: A Heisting Masterclass in Modern Mayhem
If films like Heat and Sexy Beast taught us anything, it’s that retirement in the world of professional heisting is a fleeting notion. There’s always that one last job, that enticing opportunity to rekindle the thrill of meticulously planned robbery schemes, and Payday 3 throws us headfirst back into that captivating chaos. After years of dominating Washington D.C., the infamous Payday crew is back, this time taking on the bustling streets of New York City, armed with the cunning and firepower needed to navigate a world brimming with mass surveillance, cryptocurrency, and the deep web. Spending hours immersed in the Payday 3 internal playtest and closed beta, I can confidently say that this sequel is shaping up to be a thrilling, streamlined heisting experience.
A Refined Stealth System
The closed beta presented a single, familiar bank heist location: SCB Bank, brimming with a tempting vault full of cash. The bank heist retains the classic Payday formula, focusing on four-player co-op shooter action, encouraging the use of personalized weapon loadouts and high-tech gadgets to pull off the perfect score. You can choose between a stealthy approach, slipping in and out with precision and minimal alarm, or a loud, explosive operation that leaves a trail of destruction in its wake. My initial playthrough saw me blend both styles, using lockpicking skills to infiltrate the backdoors, followed by an all-out assault that left my team surrounded by swarming cops.
There’s a noticeable shift in the stealth mechanics compared to Payday 2. Initially, simply being spotted in restricted areas would trigger an immediate alarm. In Payday 3, however, you can now walk behind counters or enter private staff areas without a mask, with guards politely guiding you out – just one slip-up is all it takes to ruin your stealth run. This feels like a more realistic interpretation of security protocol, but some additions, like freely closing window shutters without raising suspicion, seem like an oversight. While perhaps a minor detail, it adds a touch of inconsistency to the otherwise refined stealth system.
Mask On, Gloves Off
Once you’ve had your fill of scouting and gathering intel, the time comes to don the notorious mask. Putting on a mask isn’t just a stylistic choice – it signifies a point of no return, unlocking full access to the game’s more sinister mechanics. Without a mask, certain actions like vaulting over surfaces and brandishing pistols are locked out, adding a sense of urgency and strategic planning.
However, Payday 3 offers a surprising amount of freedom without masks on, allowing you to explore the heist locations and observe security systems before committing to the full-blown operation. This is a significant departure from Payday 2, where the mask was essentially a prerequisite for most gameplay elements.
High Stakes, High Rewards
The mask, once donned, transforms the heist into a high-stakes showdown. You’re now equipped with full access to the arsenal, free to intimidate civilians into submission, tie them up, disable security cameras, and even snap guard necks for a clean kill. However, the mask also brings a heightened sense of risk. An alert team relies on communication – dropped guards trigger an alarm on their radio, and an unattended civilian can set off a system-wide alarm, effectively derailing your entire plan. This reinforces the importance of a tight-knit, reliable crew, as even the smallest mistake can lead to a cascade of chaos.
A Symphony of Violence
Payday 3 showcases a significant improvement in the combat mechanics, throwing increasingly challenging enemies at you. The intensity of the encounters perfectly reflects the gravity of the heist, as you’re essentially robbing a truckload of cash. This means you’ll be punished for reckless actions, like failing to check corners or standing out in the open, making every bullet count.
The game shines as you engage in thrilling, chaotic confrontations, mimicking the intensity of Michael Mann’s infamous shootout scene in Heat. The bank heist concludes with a heart-pounding getaway sequence, as you weave through waves of police, with snipers aiming laser sights at your every move. While initially intimidating, the sniper AI proves to be surprisingly predictable, making them less of a threat as long as you keep moving.
A World of Envoys and Gadgets
The closed beta introduced a diverse roster of enemies, each posing unique challenges. The Grenadier throws highly damaging poison bombs, hindering vision and mobility. The Bulldozer returns as a near-indestructible force, requiring coordinated attacks to subdue. The Heavy SWAT team includes a menacing riot shield user, best dealt with using a strategically placed grenade. Lastly, the Stun Gun units rely on non-lethal takedowns, though they appeared unaffected by difficulty modifiers.
This brings us to the difficulty increments in Payday 3‘s closed beta, which are primarily focused on security measures. Increased difficulty doesn’t necessarily mean more powerful enemies, but rather more unforgiving security systems like indestructible cameras and a lead guard. This ensures that the challenge remains consistent across all difficulty levels without resorting to bullet sponge enemies.
A Skill Tree of Possibilities
Payday 3 further enhances the gameplay experience with a robust skill tree system, allowing you to craft personalized builds. Performing stealth or assault-based actions rewards you with skill points, which you can spend on enhancements like increased movement speed, amplified damage, quicker reload times, and much more.
For instance, focusing on Tank stats provides defensive perks like improved armor, while investing in Hacking grants access to remote control of security cameras. You can also specialize in stealth skills for faster takedowns and lockpicking, or boost your ‘Rush’ abilities for quicker escapes. The skill tree encourages customization and synergy among teammates, opening up a wider range of playstyles and strategies for every heist.
A Legacy of Mayhem
Throughout the closed beta, Payday 3 felt like a natural evolution of its predecessor, retaining the core gameplay loop of heists, loot, and customization. The focus on stealth and tactical planning provides a deeper level of engagement, encouraging players to explore the intricacies of each heist location and choose their approach carefully. However, there was little insight into the larger story, leaving me curious about how the team’s new threat plays into the overall narrative.
Payday 3‘s embrace of a contemporary setting feels like a strategic decision, as the game is designed for a long-term evolution with ongoing content updates. By embracing modern technology and challenges, it ensures that the game remains relevant for years to come.
A Heisting Future
Based on my experience in the closed beta, Payday 3 looks to be a worthy successor to its predecessors. The refined stealth mechanics, the focus on strategic planning, the intense combat encounters, and the robust skill tree system all combine to create a captivating and engaging heisting experience. Whether you choose to slip in and out undetected or unleash a storm of mayhem, Payday 3 is shaping up to be a thrilling, high-stakes adventure for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. The closed beta has me eager to see what the future holds for Payday 3 and its evolving world of heists and chaos.
