Sports Games

The idea of an urban shooter inspired by the film and concentrate on co-op is not at all unusual if we think of as a series Kane & Lynch , or the resounding success of Left 4 Dead (along with author and responsible fashion zombies). But studies have failed Overkill, with a few well-studied elements, to make PayDay: The Heist unique, at least one of the titles published only online. If it does not say much played locally, once the network is really hard to break away.

As the title announces, is to complete some robberies in scenarios inspired by the world of cinema, each with a mini history that surrounds us in our mission. They range from the classic bank robbery and theft of cash in a drug store, through the release of a convict on a bridge, through traffic and rain. Although there are only six levels, the variety and the difficulty is quite high so substantial as to require some effort to complete all the "hits". After choosing the class and character, with the relative differences in accuracy or firepower, you go on stage with three teammates, or connected via the Internet guided by artificial intelligence. The first solution is always preferable since it offline PayDay: The Heist becomes very repetitive due to the allies too robotic. They just follow us, or hiding behind, but you can not use those advanced tactics that emerge on the other hand, online. On the Internet, much of the coordination comes from involvement with their peers amid the chaos when the police there and we are under fire. In these phases, the pounding music and bullets flying in every corner creates real tension, but we must remain focused on the objectives in progress, and close to the other players. Especially since, in addition to completing the final objective level, must first be completed fewer tasks how to retrieve keys or important people, while around us the chaos breaks loose.

The game mechanics are based on the completion of the map in progressive stages: for example, we can make entry into the bank in civilian clothes, and reached the safe, put all the employees at gunpoint as we begin the collection of money. Now starts the real game, announced in rising rhythm of the soundtrack and effects around us, like the sirens of the police or the screams of the civilians. The police, always guided by computers, are obviously our first opponent, and can count on infinite (since arriving in waves) and more broadly in terms of media arsenal. So you always need to hurry, because inevitably you will end up taking too long to another world. After the first assault, the police require reinforcement and does not take much to see in the field of special forces and SWAT with armor thicker and much heavier weapons. With a decent AI, and seeks more than good, it takes three or four enemies to hurt our character leaving him critically panting on the ground. Although you can still shoot from the injured, another player must get to get up. As you have guessed, if all are slain the game ends, one more reason to watch their backs, and when it can help comrades, avoiding actions in solitary Rambo. On the other hand, the operation of weapons and the dynamics of the conflict remain largely arcade classic with the rechargeable energy and projectiles that are guided by the aims automatically to their destination. Shoot down the targets is never difficult, but to complete a level, so perfect is a whole other kettle of fish.

From the clown masks worn by the players, through the sarcasm that exchange early in the game, John Woo style (or Michael Mann) has always been a leader in the payday: The Heist. Although in English without subtitles, but at least the menus are translated, it does not take much to come and take part in the subtle black humor that characterizes each level. The imprint is found mainly in film and music environments, as the realization is some step below the best FPS available on PlayStation 3. The characters, in particular, appear to be very rigid in his movements and very detailed, a speech also applies to weapons. Although the flow is always good even if you play online, and the netcode reliable, the overall impact is not big deal at the level of detail and missing the whole outline the action itself. No movies, no story, no intermission: the layers are separated and do not lead to any progress unless the accumulation of experience to enhance their weapons. So, playing online there is little to do but learn the layout of the maps and the waves of the police, so as to be better prepared when you access the network. It especially feels the lack of split-screen is not excessive given the weight of the engine, but you can not play via split screen. Fortunately, the online side of it works very well and the maps, though few in number, are highly replayable due to their design. In fact, there are always several ways to achieve the same maximum difficulty and really gives the police a hard time. On this basis, already strong, Payday: The Heist could become a standard established for fans of co-op shooter. So, we can say that the first shot is scored, but remained part of the loot in the safe.