The plot involves Jess and Kim who, despite surviving Glory Island’s trials, are drawn into the depths of a “merging” between the real world and The Gloom. You’ll work with the Anton Family and try to avoid their fate while crafting new weapons and upgrading abilities. The goal is to destroy The Gloom’s heart, which requires braving many battles and gathering ingredients.

Interestingly, the DLC touts replay value and “experimentation”, which could indicate a more sandbox-like structure. Stay tuned for more details when it launches next week. Of course, if you already own the base game (check out our review here), then The Gloom Below is free.

Deep Silver has announced that Payday 3 is getting a technical open beta on PC and Xbox Series X/S that will run from September 8 to September 11. Just like the game’s closed beta last month, it won’t be available on PlayStation.

Deep Silver says the goal is to “stress test the servers” ahead of the game’s looming launch, and that the open beta will include the same content as the aforementioned closed beta from August. That will include four playable characters in the form of the original gang of Dallas, Hoxton, Chains, and Wolf, as well as the “No Rest for the Wicked” bank heist. Meanwhile, Infamy will be capped at level 22, while weapon levels will be capped at 8. Like the August beta, the upcoming open beta is based on a build of the game from April.

Payday 3 launches in full on September 21 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Check out its PC requirements through here.

The development team already confirmed a Season Pass, which delivers four additional heists, Tailor Packs and Weapon Packs (with at least two arriving in the first six months of release). In a video interview with IGN at Gamescom 2023, lead producer Andreas Häll Penninger confirmed there would be “at least” 18 months of post-launch support.

“Making Payday 3, we’ve built the proper foundation, so we can continuously update it over time. With our partner Deep Silver, we can look forward to at least 18 months of post-launch content,” said Penninger.

Free updates were also reaffirmed. “We’re gonna add more content, free and paid, whether it’s characters, heists, weapons, gadgets or new outfits.” He also felt that $39.99 was a “good price point” for the content available at launch.

Payday 3 launches on September 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. It supports cross-platform multiplayer and cross-save, though players must remain always online, even when playing solo. Check out the latest gameplay trailer here.

Micro destructions include pots shattering, fruit bowls getting knocked over, papers exploding from printers, and whatnot. Combined with the dynamic environments, it creates an atmosphere of chaos. The team wants to focus on hyper-realism, as seen in the environments and the sheer amount of detail present.

However, it also wants to add a bit of Hollywood, which explains how over-the-top death animations can be. Starbreeze also seeks to create a good base with its animation systems so that it’s easier to add new weapons and characters.

Payday 3 is out on September 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. It’s always online, which has earned ire from players. Head here for more details.

On minimum settings, Payday 3 will require an Intel Core i5-9500F along with a GeForce GTX 1650 (with 4 GB VRAM), while on recommended settings, it’ll require an Intel Core i7-9700K and a GeForce GTX 1080 (with 8 GB VRAM). Memory requirements are a bit steep on either setting at 16 GB of RAM, while there’s no word yet on what the storage requirements will be. As previously confirmed, the game will also require a persistent internet connection, even when playing solo. 

Payday 3 is set to launch on September 21 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. 

Global brand director Almir Listo revealed this in a recent livestream at 9 minutes and 17 seconds. When asked if there was an offline mode “like playing solo,” he responded, “No. You can play it by yourself, but I believe you must have a connection to play because it’s made in Unreal Engine. It uses cross-progression and cross-play. I do believe we need you to be online.”

It may not seem like the worst problem since the Payday series is historically enjoyed best in co-op. However, considering Payday 2 allowed for playing offline, it feels like a step back, especially for modders. A quick peek at the Steam forums and Reddit shows a fair amount of backlash, regardless.

Payday 3 is out on September 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Whether Starbreeze adds an offline mode later remains to be seen, but don’t get your hopes up.

The Art Gallery is pretty secure with cameras, laser tripwires and more. You can crouch through vents, cut through the glass to drop down and even toss bags containing the valuables up to allies who wait above. After that, it’s a mad sprint out, with even a zip-line coming into play.

It’s a worthwhile alternative to the guns-blazing approach, especially with the revamped enemy types and higher difficulties. You may also have builds that make sneaking much more viable for teams encouraged to avoid confrontation.

Payday 3 launches on September 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. It supports crossplay and cross-progression across all platforms.

Lead Pipe

The very first weapon you will pick up in the System Shock Remake, you will find this right at the start after your awakening on the Medical Deck. It is lying in plain sight in an open crate. The Lead Pipe is ideally used against melee enemies in order to preserve ammunition for your more powerful ranged weapons, at least initially.

Monkey Wrench

New to the System Shock Remake, the Monkey Wrench is found on the Medical Deck in the grip of a corpse. Only a little different mechanically from the Lead Pipe, with a somewhat reduced range, the Monkey Wrench is also a two-handed weapon.

DG-04 Laser Rapier

This unusual weapon is the top of the line in melee weapons in System Shock Remake. Exceptionally powerful versus Cyborgs and late game enemies. Initially found on the Maintenance Deck in blue, a second can be found on the Executive Deck as well, in a color that matches the HUD. A good tactic combines the use of the Rapier following an opening attack with an EMP grenade, specifically when in combat with EMP-susceptible enemies.

KE-41 Minipistol

The Minipistol is found on the Medical Deck, and is your basic starting ranged ballistic weapon. Mods will improve it later in the game, but it is relatively weak overall. Ideally reserved for weak enemies and security cameras. The mods will double the magazine capacity, change fire modes, and increase damage. 9mm ammunition is plentiful, though the Teflon variant may be somewhat less so.

Magnum 2100 Pistol

A step up from the KE-41 Minipistol, the Magnum 2100 Pistol is located on the Maintenance Deck, though another is also secreted on the Medical Deck of Citadel Station. Two mods for it add 50% ammunition to the magazine, as well as barrel and laser sight attachments to boost damage and auto-lock functionality. Ammunition is scarce, and use of the firearm should be confined to mid to high level enemies.

KF-18 Skorpion Machine Gun

This kinetic weapon uses a high rate of fire and 9mm ammunition to suppress enemies. Burst fire is recommended to control the heavy recoil. Restrict targets to close range, for maximum damage. The KF-18 Skorpion is on the Warehouse Deck of CItadel Station and on some of the higher decks as well. The large magazine can make it invaluable in tight quarters, where you can unload a lot of rounds for quick takedowns of multiple enemies.

Dusk III Assault Rifle

Found on Citadel Station’s Flight Deck, the Dusk III Assault Rifle is a ballistic short-barrel firearm with a burst fire mode and incendiary rounds by default. Alternative ammunition can be used to penetrate armor. Magazine capacity can be increased by 25% with a mod. This particular weapon never loses its utility for the duration of the game.

SK-27 Shotgun

A shotgun just like in any other game, the new to the System Shock Remake SK-27 fires both kinetic and incendiary slugs. It can be found on the Research Deck. The rare Dragon’s Breath incendiary rounds should be reserved for organics, especially since the fire damage persists for some time. Somewhat wasted on armored foes, mods do not improve it much either, and only really serve to counter recoil and raise damage.

TB-05 Sparqbeam Sidearm

The Sparqbeam Sidearm will be your earliest available energy weapon, a counterpart to the KE-41 Minipistol. As a rechargeable firearm, this weapon takes off some of the pressure of contending with ammunition availability for your ballistic weapons. The three power settings determine damage and armor penetration, while taking a corresponding toll on energy capacity. A human corpse on the Medical Deck can be looted for it on the Medical Deck itself, and the weapon remains relevant throughout the game. Mods improve cooling rate (Research Deck) thus lowering energy consumption, and increasing damage and armor penetration (Flight Deck) while raising energy consumption back again. Exceeding the maximum permissible heat rating can shut the weapon down. The Overload fire setting will do this on purpose but the resulting blast from the business end of the firearm will melt organics and robotics alike.

JW-76 Mag-Pulse Rifle

Another firearm that can be had very early in the game, the JW-76 Mag-Pulse Rifle is on the Medical Deck, in the armory. The ultra-specific Magnetic-Pulse Cartridge ammunition required is non-existent on the lower levels except for the dispenser in the very same room. An excellent weapon for robotic foes, the ammunition rarity makes it a waste on organics. The projectiles are parabolic rather than linear, and highly explosive. Damage is done over a short span of time, rather than all at once. Additionally the alternate fire of two charges in a single shot significantly increases damage dealt. In the Executive Deck’s Beta Grove is a mod kit that will further improve damage, but also energy consumption.

LG-XX Plasma Rifle

This energy weapon will drain your battery like no other weapon does. The LG-XX Plasma Rifle is in a single location on Citadel Station–the Security Deck. The mod can lower the energy draw, but not by much. Two fire settings allow for some tactical decision making, though it is advised you reserve energy charge and batteries to make use of the Plasma Core setting versus crowds of high-level enemies, where the purple orb will bounce around like chain lightning between enemies. If you are favoring this weapon, it is recommended that you locate and memorize energy charge stations.

RW-45 Ion Rifle

In the Executive Deck’s Alpha Grove, a briefcase lying on the ground to the north of the dome holds the RW-45 Ion Rifle. The Engineering Deck has a mod that will improve the astronomical energy demands of this firearm, making it less of a chore to keep viable without having to visit a charging station. Bring lots of batteries, especially if you appreciate the ability to ricochet shots while melting enemies into goo.

MK-84 Accelerator Railgun

A single round magazine with a long charge time makes this weapon somewhat of a chore to use. It more than makes up for those downsides by being exceptionally destructive against targets, one-shotting high level enemies on the upper decks of Citadel Station. The weapon itself can be found up there on the Executive Deck. Two more can be discovered on the Security Deck, one in a room with a single loaded round, and the other empty on the upper floor. 

Fragmentation Grenade

Your bog-standard grenade, the Fragmentation Grenade can be made to explode both on a timer, and on impact using the percussion trigger. Shrapnel from the explosion poses a danger to you, just as much as it does to enemies caught in the blast zone. Find your first Fragmentation Grenade on the Medical Deck.

EMP Grenade

Another grenade initially found on the Medical Deck, the EMP Grenade does exactly what it says on the box–causes an electromagnetic pulse blast that disables anything electrical, electronic, or mechanized.

Gas Grenade

Also found on the Medical Deck, the Gas Grenade is the anti-organic counterpart to the EMP Grenade, making quick work of both biological and cyborg targets. Robotic foes are invulnerable as expected, so do not waste it on them. The Gas Grenade is also best reserved for crowd control, or especially deadly single enemies.

Smoke Grenade

Less of an offensive weapon and more of a support tool, the Smoke Grenade is a tactical item to be used in dicey situations requiring a quick escape under cover of smoke.

Proximity Mine

Once deployed, the Proximity Mine will detonate based on whatever it detects using its proximity sensor, including you yourself. While it can be tossed at enemies to detonate on impact, it would be ideally used as a trap that enemies are lured into. Beware Cyborg Assassins that may use it against you as both a throwable and a trap. Find your first Proximity Mine on the Medical Deck.

EM-83 Grenade Launcher

All of the grenades can be fired using the EM-83 Grenade Launcher, a new addition in System Shock Remake. Detonation criteria defaults to on-impact, but range and accuracy are greatly improved, and timing no longer becomes an issue with which to contend. Agile opponents will not be able to dodge your grenades like they would if they were hand-thrown. The mod kit on the Flight Deck will improve the velocity of fired rounds, maximizing your grenade-launching prowess.

That is all the weapons available to you in the new System Shock Remake.

Players can still choose different sights, magazines and stocks for their guns, but to unlock them, you need to use the weapon and gain experience – the more experience earned, the more options become available. There are also preset weapons equipped with mods, which can be good if you need a specific weapon type but haven’t progressed enough.

The best part is that using a preset weapon will earn experience for its base, ensuring you’re always progressing. You also have Overkill weapons, which become available when completing objectives in a heist. After enough progress, you can call it in for some serious power (and perhaps to escape a tough situation).

The recoil on weapons uses spray patterns and a kick-based system. However, while you can control some aspects of the recoil, there will be “a little bit of randomization that you can’t control,” says the developer.

“But with that said, you can learn and master the spray patterns and find the weapon that suits your personality and what you want to play with. It’s not about finding a specific break point in a game where you want to reach a specific stat number, as in Payday 2. Instead, it’s about what you enjoy in your combat situations and how you want to engage with it.”

The gadgets available include the ECM Jammer for blocking cameras and a Mini Camera, which can be viewed at any time, providing valuable surveillance.

Payday 3 is out on September 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, retailing for $39.99.

Armor (along with other things) affects your weight, making you faster or slower. It’s made of shards, and as you take damage, it breaks down. Hang back, and it’ll recuperate, but if it goes away, it’s gone until you use an Armor Bag (which works like Payday 2’s Medic Bag). There is no health regen, so armor is your best bet for protection.

That is until you fight enemies who can pierce armor. Enemies fall into three categories. The SWAT and Heavy SWAT units are common. The uncommon types include the Shield and Sniper, and then you have Specials like the Bulldozer. The dozer has new moves, like the bull rush, to tackle and immobilize a player. Get too close, and he’ll kick you.

There are also new enemies like the Nader, who uses gas grenades (which cause damage over time to health and disable sprinting) and flashbangs. The Zapper uses a stun, and while you can fight back, failing to do will result in complete immobilization. Cloakers sport two nightstick bracers and can melt deployable items.

Regular SWAT members will also move behind Shield units and shoot the player from cover. Of course, players can specialize in dealing with different threats. If you want to create a build that quickly dispatches dozers, go for it, but your teammates need to be able to handle other threats.

Payday 3 is out on September 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.