Payday 3 Achieves 'Mostly Positive' Reviews on Steam

Payday 3 has made a surprising comeback on Steam, now boasting a "mostly positive" review rating following a rocky launch in 2023. Despite an overall rating that still sits at "mixed," 71% of the game's recent reviews from over 1,000 players are now positive, signaling a steady recovery as the game edges closer to what fans initially expected upon release.

Launched a decade after its predecessor, Payday 3 was one of the most highly anticipated sequels in the gaming community. However, it fell short of the expectations set by Payday 2, which remains a standout heist game and a favorite on Steam. Many players were disappointed that the new installment lacked some of the beloved features from its predecessor, introduced a revamped progression system, and came with an always-online requirement. The latter caused major headaches at launch, with server issues preventing players from even getting into the game.

A Year of Updates Pays Off for Payday 3

After a year of consistent updates and improvements based on community feedback, Payday 3 is finally seeing a shift in player sentiment. The recent wave of positive reviews highlights the game's progress, with players praising changes that address their biggest concerns. Steam user Rawroon noted that the newly introduced solo mode beta "fully skips the matchmaking queue," allowing players to dive straight into the action, while the revamped progression system "is actually fun and rewards you for playing heists instead of doing obscure challenges." Another user, Korneel, praised Starbreeze for actively listening to the community, stating, "each update is a step in a better direction."

Payday 3's Journey to Redemption

Over on Payday 3's official Twitter account, the developers have taken a lighthearted approach, often joking about the game's earlier struggles. In response to a fan's criticism for celebrating the mostly positive reviews, Starbreeze said, "We're listening to the community, we're making progress with the game, and we celebrate the small wins."

The game's improvement is not just reflected in its reviews but also in its player count. While a few months ago, Payday 3 struggled with less than 1,000 players at peak times, data from SteamDB now shows consistent peaks of between 1,000 and 3,500 concurrent players—a clear sign that more gamers are giving the title a second chance.

Leadership Changes Signal a New Direction

One factor contributing to this positive shift might be a recent change in the game's leadership. In September, Payday 3 announced that its game director, Miodrag Kovacevic, would be stepping down from his position. Although Kovacevic remains with Starbreeze Studios as a developer, the creative reins have been handed over to lead producer Andreas Penninger and global brand director Almir Listo, who are now steering the game's future updates and content.

With these changes and continued efforts to address fan feedback, Payday 3 is steadily reclaiming its place among the top heist games. While there's still a long road ahead, Starbreeze's commitment to improving the game has given fans hope that Payday 3 will eventually live up to its predecessor's legacy.