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PAYDAY 3 is a stronger, more complete buy after its September 2026 anniversary update: every previously sold heist DLC is now included in the base game, and the update adds a campaign framework, more loadout options and a shooting range. Its main drawbacks are that it is designed around co-op, optional paid content remains, and the official update notes still list bugs and unclear perk explanations. Whether it suits you depends most on how you want to play and how much polish you expect.
What changed in PAYDAY 3 by September 2026?
The September 2026 Update 3.9 anniversary release reshaped the base-game package. Starbreeze says all previously separate paid heist DLC became part of the base game at no additional cost, with no change to the base price. This covers the heist DLC, not every cosmetic or themed add-on. The official Update 3.9 changelog describes the new access by saying, “You can now play all the game’s heists however you please.”
The update also introduced a story campaign that frames the heists and explains Shade’s relationship with the gang. It added weapon perks, made previously weapon-specific mods shareable, added customization for Overkill weapons, and introduced an in-game shooting range for testing builds. These are concrete additions to the game’s framework; they do not, by themselves, establish how satisfying its story or progression feels to every player.
PAYDAY 3 pros
A broader base game without heist-DLC lobby splits
Having earlier paid heist DLC folded into the base game makes the included heist catalogue substantially broader than under the old separate-DLC model. It also removes ownership of those heist packs as a reason players’ lobbies might be split. Starbreeze announced the change on September 23, 2026, as part of the game’s third-anniversary update.
#1 Best Overall
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More room to experiment with builds
Weapon-class perks, shared weapon mods and customizable Overkill weapons give players more ways to tune a loadout. The shooting range provides a place to try those setups in-game. For players who enjoy adjusting equipment around a preferred approach, these systems make the game’s build choices more tangible.
A campaign gives the heists a connective frame
Update 3.9 adds a wraparound story intended to explain Shade’s relationship with the gang and put the heists in context. That is useful for players who want more narrative connection than a list of separate jobs, though the official description is not an independent assessment of the story’s quality.
Rank #2
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The studio reports a continuing update cadence
Starbreeze says it delivered a substantive update every month during the year leading up to the anniversary. The studio lists work including Skills 2.0, a heist, reworked heists, onboarding and interface changes, and an upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.5. This is the company’s account of its update program, not a guarantee about future cadence.
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PAYDAY 3 cons and caveats
It is built for cooperative play
Steam describes PAYDAY 3 as a one-to-four-player cooperative FPS. That makes it a natural fit for people who want coordinated heists with friends or other players, but less clearly suited to someone seeking a conventional solo campaign. The available sources do not establish current offline or solo-play functionality well enough to promise either; solo-first buyers should check the requirements for their specific platform before purchasing.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
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- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Not all new content is included
While the earlier paid heist DLC is now in the base game, Starbreeze announced a separate Brute Force Crimebond for $9.99 on September 23, 2026. It is a themed content pack, not a heist pack. That is the announced price at that date; check the relevant store for current pricing and availability.
Update 3.9’s official known-issues list includes gameplay and interface problems
The September 21, 2026 changelog lists issues involving outdated objectives or subtitles in Boys in Blue, Fear & Greed, and Syntax Error; an interaction between a Haymaker perk and the Hidden Blade skill that can consume a throwing knife without killing the enemy; and unclear in-game explanations of equipped and persistent weapon perks. It also lists interface and customization bugs. This is the developer’s dated list, not a complete independent bug audit, and later hotfixes may have changed the status of individual issues.
Rank #4
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- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
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Mods may stop working after updates
The official changelog warns that game updates can be incompatible with installed mods and recommends removing mods when troubleshooting. Players who use mods may need to disable them after an update to determine whether one is causing a problem.
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A third-party account requirement is listed for Steam
The Steam listing identifies a Starbreeze Nebula account as a required third-party account. Account requirements can vary by platform or change, so verify the current store listing and sign-in requirements for the platform you plan to use.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Who should consider PAYDAY 3?
- Co-op heist fans: The game is designed around one-to-four-player cooperative play, and the base game now includes the previously sold heist DLC.
- Players who like build tinkering: The added weapon perks, shared mods, Overkill weapon customization and shooting range support loadout experimentation.
- PAYDAY 2 players considering a return: The expanded included heist catalogue and campaign framing are meaningful changes to assess. The available evidence does not establish a full feature-by-feature comparison with PAYDAY 2, so weigh your own preferences for heist variety, solo or online requirements, build depth and polish.
- Solo-first or offline-first players: Confirm current platform-specific play and account requirements before buying; the available sources do not establish a promise of offline or solo access.
How to read Starbreeze’s success claims
In its September 23, 2026 announcement, Starbreeze said PAYDAY 3’s player base jumped “three times over” when the anniversary update went live. The company did not specify a measurement method or baseline, so treat that as a company-reported increase rather than an independently verified current player count. Starbreeze also said Steam reviews passed 72 percent positive in summer 2026 and had held since; that is a dated company-reported sentiment figure, not a live rating.
The same announcement’s figures of more than 500 million players and more than $400 million in lifetime gross revenue refer to the PAYDAY franchise across PC, console and user-generated-content platforms—not to PAYDAY 3 alone. Neither figure establishes the game’s current player count or its individual revenue.
Verdict: are the pros enough?
PAYDAY 3 is easier to assess on its current package than on launch-era complaints: the base game now includes its previous paid heist DLC, while Update 3.9 added campaign framing and practical build tools. Its clearest fit is a player who wants cooperative heists and is comfortable checking platform requirements and accepting that optional paid content and developer-listed issues remain. If solo or offline play is essential, verify that point on your platform before committing.
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