Not Recommended
17 minutes


Anticipation was high for PayDay 3, a successor to the well-received PayDay 2, but unfortunately, the game fails to live up to the expectations and feels like a significant step back from its predecessor.


Upon launching the game, I was immediately prompted to log in, a requirement that serves as a substantial deterrent and raises concerns about user privacy and data security. This mandatory login feature is a glaring issue and sets a negative tone right from the start.


Coming from PayDay 2, one would reasonably expect the availability of a single-player mode, allowing for solo queuing. Regrettably, this is not the case. The game seems to lack a clear option to set it to single-player, and attempts to make it invite only or friends only still resulted in matchmaking, leaving solo players in the lurch.


Given the absence of a single-player mode, I reluctantly decided to queue with random players, only to be met with more disappointment. Despite being launch day, with cross-play enabled, I spent 10 minutes in the queue without finding a match. For a game that was among the most anticipated releases of 2023, the inability to join any game is not just surprising but downright unacceptable.


PayDay 3 was poised to be a blockbuster, but it seems to have plummeted from grace, burying the hype and excitement under a pile of glaring issues and unmet expectations. The mandatory login, the absence of a single-player mode, and the problematic matchmaking system have collectively contributed to a frustrating experience.


I cannot recommend PayDay 3 in its current state. The game needs substantial improvements and refinements to offer value to its player base and to honor the legacy of its predecessor. Until then, prospective buyers should approach with caution.

[h1]A Disappointing Downgrade[/h1] [h3]Verdict[/h3] Not Recommended [h3]Total Playtime[/h3] 17 minutes [h2]Introduction[/h2] Anticipation was high for PayDay 3, a successor to the well-received PayDay 2, but unfortunately, the game fails to live up to the expectations and feels like a significant step back from its predecessor. [h2]Immediate Red Flags[/h2] Upon launching the game, I was immediately prompted to log in, a requirement that serves as a substantial deterrent and raises concerns about user privacy and data security. This mandatory login feature is a glaring issue and sets a negative tone right from the start. [h2]Lack of Single-Player Option[/h2] Coming from PayDay 2, one would reasonably expect the availability of a single-player mode, allowing for solo queuing. Regrettably, this is not the case. The game seems to lack a clear option to set it to single-player, and attempts to make it invite only or friends only still resulted in matchmaking, leaving solo players in the lurch. [h2]Matchmaking Woes[/h2] Given the absence of a single-player mode, I reluctantly decided to queue with random players, only to be met with more disappointment. Despite being launch day, with cross-play enabled, I spent 10 minutes in the queue without finding a match. For a game that was among the most anticipated releases of 2023, the inability to join any game is not just surprising but downright unacceptable. [h2]Conclusion[/h2] PayDay 3 was poised to be a blockbuster, but it seems to have plummeted from grace, burying the hype and excitement under a pile of glaring issues and unmet expectations. The mandatory login, the absence of a single-player mode, and the problematic matchmaking system have collectively contributed to a frustrating experience. [h2]Final Thoughts[/h2] I cannot recommend PayDay 3 in its current state. The game needs substantial improvements and refinements to offer value to its player base and to honor the legacy of its predecessor. Until then, prospective buyers should approach with caution.