14 DAY TRIAL // 
Payday: The Heist was an ambitious title that aimed at the niche four-player co-op shooter genre but didn't exactly attract as many people as other similar games, like Left 4 Dead.
With Payday 2, developer Overkill wants to improve on the experience and deliver the complex game it wanted with the first title.
With better graphics, improved teamwork-focused gameplay, and lots of more customization options, besides the online Crimenet system designed to make it easy to jump into heists, Payday 2 is looking very good.
Does it deliver on its promises or has the heist gone wrong? Let's find out.
Payday: The Heist developed a niche following and Overkill is targeting them first and foremost with the new title, organizing a special beta to let them try out the new experience and share their thoughts.
The full game begins with a short interactive segment in which the player explores his safe house, which is filled with all sorts of things, from a Lady of Justice statue, to a firing range and even places to practice drilling, setting up explosives, and more.
Once you're done practicing your skills, you can jump into the Crimenet system, which allows players to engage in different heists and events set throughout Washington DC. Basically, these are random events and players can join in so that they can control the four-man team comprising veteran robbers Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf and Chains.
Once joined, you enter a lobby and the mission briefing starts. These include small descriptions made by the people offering the crimes, from other career criminals, to politicians, and more. You can also examine recon photos, building blueprints, and much more, while revising your loadout.
The actual match begins with a recon session, in which you and your three other comrades stake out the target, spotting cash registers, safes, exits, or choke points, not to mention security personnel, cameras, and alarm triggers.
This time around, the game supports playing stealthily, although, sooner or later, every match becomes a gunfight between the four criminals and law enforcement officers, who'll attack in waves once the heist is uncovered.
Depending on your success and loot, you gain money and XP. You can spend cash on new weapons, gear, and customization options, like masks, which are unlocked depending on your level. With each level you get skill points that can be invested in different categories, representing the four classes: Mastermind, Enforcer, Ghost, and Tactician.
At the end of every match, players can also choose one of three cards, earning them either bonus cash, new mask crafting materials, or bonus gear like weapon attachments, which are quite varied.
The matches themselves are based on a certain number of core events, like standard robberies, bank heists, kidnappings, or even cyber-crimes. Each has diversified loot and other random events, not to mention different non-playable characters, from bank managers to civilians.
Gunplay has been refined in many areas, as various weapons feel quite different, and each packs a punch, even the standard pistol. While the attachment system can become a bit confusing, especially when combined to the cosmetic extras, it'll certainly please those who like to stand out.
Speaking of standing out, players can unlock new masks as they progress through levels and can even craft their own using different materials and patterns.
While at its core Payday 2 is best experienced alongside three other human players, preferably with different classes and great coordination, you can play the offline Crimenet version as well, where you're paired with three other AI-controlled bots.
This, however, isn't recommended as the bots are quite dumb, following the player constantly without trying to set up defensive positions or engaging the police, which coordinate its attack. Enemy AI, however, is quite good and knows when to retreat and when to push. Opponents range from regular police officers to special forces and big guys that use tactical shields and know when to flank.
Payday 2 is a gorgeous looking game that features many in-depth options for players with powerful PCs. Textures look great, effects are quite good, and animations feel decent, even if other character models look funny when they're running around.
In terms of sound, the game is also pretty good, but its soundtrack won't stand out that much. There are, however, plenty of audio cues that let players know what's happening around them, from police radio chatter, to messages about the state of tools like drills and other such things.
Conclusion
While the Crimenet system is a bit confusing to use at first and you most certainly need to participate in a few heists before you can figure out all the mechanics, Payday 2 is a fun four-player co-op shooter that will definitely delight not only fans of the original but also those looking for a new experience they can play with friends.
Sadly, because of the stupid teammate AI, it's better to completely avoid the offline Crimenet version and just take your chances with random human teammates. Sure, some of them may be newbies and some might ruin your stealthy crimes, but they're a lot easier to deal with.
