Payday 3: 10 Biggest Changes From Payday 2

The anticipated multiplayer shooter Payday 3 launched ten years after the second installment. With expectations high, has developer Starbreeze managed to further the series? Can you expect to see greater polish and tense missions with edge-of-your-seat action?

Payday 3: Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about Payday 3, all in one place.

Yes, several aspects of the Payday series have been adjusted or improved for Payday 3. These changes include graphical upgrades, new gameplay options, and locations. With the popularity, amount of add-on content, and long-run Payday 2 experienced, what's new in Payday 3? Let's dive in and highlight what you can expect going from the second game to the third.

10 Better Lighting

Once you set foot into the world of Payday 3, you'll notice more realistic lighting. The previous entry shows its age, with objects and buildings looking too dark. Some players took issue with Payday 2 night missions like Framing Frame, featuring a black screen in some areas.

The sequel fixes this, and light interacts with the environment more naturally. Whether battling on the streets or storming a penthouse, you'll notice improvements to the lighting system. Explosions and muzzle flash also are better reflected in the surrounding environment.

9 More Detailed Character Models

While it has been ten years, Payday 2's character models haven't aged well. It's not as noticeable with lots of action on screen, but up-close faces can look unnatural. But the newest entry has added some noticeable enhancements, like more detailed textures.

NPCs look more natural and provide more immersion during the missions. Even the movement animations are more fluid in the latest entry. While the older title doesn't look bad, you can see that the developers put effort into creating higher-fidelity visuals.

8 Enhanced Shadows

One of the issues with Payday 2 was the inconsistent shadow implementation. In some cases, the shadows looked natural and detailed. But, other instances displayed shadowed areas too dark, with extreme contrast between objects in the sun versus shaded.

The developers shifted from the Diesel Engine to Unreal Engine 4 for Payday 3, and shadows are more consistently incorporated now. Gone is the unnatural divide between the previous entry's sunlit and overly-shaded city sections.

7 More Robust Stealth Options

When playing Payday 2, stealth was possible but felt more secondary and fiercely challenging. In fact, some scenarios were impossible to accomplish, with the game intent on players being loud and aggressive. With Payday 3, you can complete heists without alerting guards, utilizing melee, and cracking safes silently.

If you've played games like Deus Ex: Human Revolution, you'll recognize the tiered security measures of each location. With public spaces, staff-only sections, and private areas, security's response is appropriate to your location. The stealth is no longer hit-or-miss and is more intuitive.

6 Different Location

The previous game took place in Washington, D.C., and tasked you with robbing armored transports and banks. This time, you'll get to experience New York City, NY, which includes detailed elements you would expect to find in a big city.

For example, you'll experience filthy alleyways, congested traffic, and abundant NPCs. The streets look and feel much more active this go around, which lends to a greater sense of immersion. The lived-in look of New York City is much more natural than the empty streets of Payday 2.

5 More Accessible

One of the criticisms of Payday 2 was the challenging learning curve for new players. Once an alarm is triggered, you and your friends would be inundated with groups of law enforcement intent on taking you down. These exchanges required ample ammunition and skill to overcome.

Payday 3: Beginner Tips

Learn the art of the heist with these tips for Payday 3!

With intense and unrelenting action, newcomers were overwhelmed. But, with Payday 3's more focused approach, new players can adjust to the game, movement, and environments before a massive firefight. Don't worry; Payday 3 is still tricky and offers veteran players plenty of challenges.

4 Hostages Are More Valuable

While you could take hostages previously in the Payday series, there wasn't much you could do with them. With Payday 3, hostages play a much more significant strategic role and can help you succeed if appropriately utilized.

For example, you can now exchange hostages for extra time when negotiating with police. A few spare moments before law enforcement kicks in the door could make the difference. You can also trade hostages for items and use them to shield you from police.

3 Exchange In-Game Cash For Cosmetic Items

If you played Payday 2, you likely have a ton of cash stocked up from all your heists. Even though you purchased more firearms or upgraded your equipment, there's still probably a lot of money left over.

Payday 3: 9 Best Cosmetics

These are the best cosmetics you can get your hands on in Payday 3.

This time around, you can convert your cash into something that allows you to buy cosmetic items. While not everyone is keen on spending actual money for cosmetics, if you have extra in-game currency, why not make your character more unique?

2 More Lead-Up To Heists

One of the most substantial changes to Payday 3 is a more robust pre-heist segment. You might imagine a group of criminals would likely watch and investigate their target before robbing it. Now, you, too, can walk around unmasked, looking at guards, security equipment, pathways, and more prior to the heist.

This casing segment lets your team plan for a more refined, professional approach. If a guard catches you in an unauthorized area, they may walk you back to a public space, and your cover remains intact. Pre-heist, you can get a much better sense of the options and obstacles each mission offers.

1 More NPC Interaction

The NPCs are not only more numerous in Payday 3, but they also have more dynamic involvement in the world. Police cause more destruction to the environment and have more complex behavior patterns. Like Hitman, guards will now experience different phases like searching, aggression, and negotiation.

The developers have added more variables in each mission with opportunities to engage with NPCs differently. Gunfights are also more visceral, with the environment affected by both your team and law enforcement. These changes help to further immersion and bring the action up a notch.

Next: Payday 3: Tips For Playing Solo