PayDay: The Heist Review

Picture the opening ten minute sequence of The Dark Knight, where the Joker and his goons rob a Gotham City bank filled with mob money, and that's basically what Payday: The Heist, is. Overkill Software's downloadable title has the player, alongside up to three AI or Online companions, complete a series of missions that range from hijacking cargo trucks, to busting convicts out of police convoys, all the while increasing their Reputation and unlocking a plethora of new equipment. And whilst Payday may lack the polish and finesse of most games, it's nothing but a great deal of fun, whether it's online or off.

Payday lacks any form of coherent storyline, but that is by no means a negative. It doesn't need a plot to work, as even if it did have one players wouldn't care - you've a job to do, and all you want to do is get in there and do it, not listen to story, no matter how amazing it may be. That's because the gameplay shines so much that everything else in it would be overlooked, despite how good a standard it may be at.

Playing as a bank-robber may not change the gameplay as much as maybe playing a taxi driver in New York would, when compared to being an immortal superhero, but it puts the player in some original and unique environments. Levels vary from bridges covered in fog to banks packed with members of the unsuspecting public; it makes a pleasant variation from the war torn battlefields and the backstreets of a town in the Middle East.

Gameplay in Payday revolves around repeating the six missions on offer to level up the playable characters, allowing new weapons and better equipment to become available. This could range from more ammo to more cable ties to secure hostage's hands together. It will take players a long while to reach the level cap, and along the way specific pieces of equipment or more powerful guns will definitely resonate with different playing styles.

Each of the four playable characters gives the game different spins, meaning there is something for everyone. The type of players who enjoy pumping endless bullets into policemen will be pleased with what Payday offers and, at the same time, those who would prefer to take a back seat role will find something to like in the downloadable title with the support class.

But, of course, it is far from perfect. Looking past the mediocre graphics and the less-than-satisfying single-player AI, Payday seriously struggles to instruct the player what to do. Games nowadays hold the players hand at the beginning, then as it slowly introduces all of the more complicated aspects of the title as it progresses, gradually begin to let go and hand everything the title has to offer over. Instead, Payday immediately thrusts the player in at the deep end with no real explanation of what to do or how to do it, leading to some frustrating gaming sessions as the heart of Payday is slowly worked out by the player.

Payday is a game that is made to be played with others: playing solo is undeniably fun but raiding banks alongside others gets the adrenaline really pumping. However, Payday lacks any form of split-screen, meaning either a second console or an internet connection is needed to experience it fully. What made Left 4 Dead so good was the sociable side of it and if Payday had the same then a serious co-operative shooter would be on the market. Unfortunately, this keeps it from reaching great heights.

Overall, Payday gives back what you want from it: expect a polished co-operative shooter with stunning graphics and a calm learning curve and you will be disappointed, but wish for a great game to play online with that gives you an original premise then Payday serves it to you rather well on a plate filled with money and gold bricks.