Payday 2 is a developed by and published by . The game is a sequel to 2011's . It was released in August 2013 for and . An improved version of the game, subtitled Crimewave Edition, was released for and in June 2015. A version for the was released in February 2018.
Two years after the events of the previous game, the Payday gang comes to the metropolitan area to perform another heisting spree. The player takes control of one of the gang's twenty one members and can perform heists alone, or with up to three teammates. The player can participate in a variety of heists, including but not limited to robberies of banks, shops and , and producing and distributing narcotics. The game differs on the previous by allowing much more customization of the player (aesthetically and gameplay-wise), somewhat improved graphical interface and experience, more variety and playability in levels, and has reworked mechanics.
An accompanying web series was produced to promote the game. The game was profitable from pre-orders alone and received positive reviews. Payday 2: Crimewave Edition which offers improved graphics, new content and all previous DLCs, was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in June 2015.
A sequel, titled Payday 3, is currently in the works and is scheduled for a 2022/2023 release.
- The game consists of a variety of 'heists' that a player can opt to either carry out by themselves, with the AI, or as part of a multiplayer game
- There are heists such as bank robberies, drug trafficking runs, rigging an election, or stealing smuggled nuclear warheads
- Some of the heists put a large emphasis on stealth, often leading to bonus experience points and money on completion, and certain heists can only be done in stealth
- The level selection menu is styled as a fictional website, Crime.net, where missions up periodically as contracts in a map of