Payday 2 - Nintendo Switch Edition Reviews
Payday 2 has finally arrived on the Nintendo Switch, but it turns out to be more of a mixed bag, than flat-out perfection.
Payday 2 continues to maintain a very dedicated audience, but even fans of the game are unlikely to enjoy what's being put forward for Nintendo Switch. Stripped-back visuals, poor performance and a lack of adaptation to the console results in a shoddy port at best.
When played with friends, Payday 2 is the ultimate heist game, offering tons to see, do, and unlock.
Payday 2's devotion to its core gameplay mantra makes it a unique way to team up with other players on Switch, but it does seal the game's mechanics in a time capsule that only serves to noticeably age it when seen through the prism of 2018.
For those who have a dedicated group to play with online there are hours worth of fun to be had overcoming the more difficult challenges. However, If you'll need to rely on random players the fun can only go so far without any form of communication. And if playing solo is your only option, I'd highly suggest thinking twice because quite frankly playing alone is not very much fun at all.
Payday 2 is definitely getting long in the tooth, but the game's appearance on Nintendo Switch is a good, solid port of the game. All of the same quirks and quibbles remain the same, there's the lingering question from how the game has been supported in the past, and there's the simple fact that we've seen all of this in higher fidelity elsewhere, but if you've got a burning desire for some co-op heisting fun on Switch, then this will scratch your itch to live outside the law.
Should you get Payday 2 on Switch? Well if you want an interesting multiplayer shooter and don't have access to it on other platforms, sure. Otherwise? Probably not. Maybe wait to see how things are after an update or two.
Payday 2 is a very competent FPS game that allows you to tackle it in just about any way imaginable. Unfortunately, when it comes to the Nintendo Switch version, the price, performance and the fact that content is lacking behind versions that have been out for years will only make it worth purchasing for gamers who are desperate for a new FPS on the go.
It's difficult to recommend Payday 2 for Nintendo Switch. On one hand, it is the most content-complete version of Payday 2. On the other hand, it's still a five-year-old game that really hasn't aged that well and doesn't seem to have all the updates that other versions have received. One would hope this would be the most definitive version of Payday 2, but it appears that the team at Overkill still has some work to do to iron out the bugs.
This version is handicapped by its lack of voice communication tools. Even if it's updated to parity with the PC version, that's a tough pill to swallow in such a cooperative game.
Moreso than almost any title I’ve played on the Switch Payday 2 is absolutely only as good as you and the people you’re playing with make it. Stripped to its base experience it isn’t hard to see the issues creep up, and they can be a bit of a bummer. That said, if you and your crew are committed to playing things smart, making effective use of your time, and working together to complete the phases of the mission it can really be a blast and offers an experience like nothing else on the system.
As a newcomer to Payday 2, my time spent descending on Washington DC to start a crime spree has been filled with as much genuine laughter as it has with successful heists. While the whole experience can feel more than obtuse, those that take the time to learn the gameplay mechanics that underpin it will soon find this a game that’s worthy of the endless hours that they will spend with it. It’s a shame that performance niggles readily detract on occasion, but with a little more spit and polish, I am sure that anarchy can reign once more with hindrance.
It is an entirely functional video game that (in most respects) looks, feels and plays like Payday 2, and given the right circumstances, can also be a bit of fun. But given how readily available it is on other platforms and the concessions made with this version, it doesn't highlight Payday 2's unique brand of shooting and looting the way other platforms have for years.
Painfully hurt by the lack of voice-chat capability on the console, Payday 2 is nevertheless a decent port of the game on the Nintendo Switch, with close to complete amount of DLCs from previous platform, and one hell of a fun experience playing with friends locally.
A rather dated proposition in 2018, one that’s made worse by some eyebrow-raising omissions and a baffling AAA price tag.
"Miles behind its PC brother."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
If you can look past the steep entry fee and have no other platform to play it on, this will probably do. Otherwise, you're better off picking up one of the other versions, since offline play and portability are not much of a benefit for Payday 2 on the Switch.
If you’ve never played Payday 2, the Switch version has plenty of content (50 missions) to keep you busy solo or with friends. No online voice chat is a bummer, so you’ll have to use your phone or something like Discord to strategize with your friends – unless of course you play locally! If you have access to Payday 2 on other systems, you might be better off served there. It all depends on what your priorities are. No matter what, expect a fun time!
The flawed original is already showing its age, but this poor quality Switch port is Payday 2 at its very worst.