Since its launch on PC and last-generation consoles in 2013, Payday 2 has proven to be one of the more popular co-op shooters around. Considering that, it`s perhaps unsurprising to see it make its way to Nintendo`s hugely popular new platform. But given the game`s largely online nature, it also raises questions about how well this version retains Payday 2`s established charms. The answer is simple: not well. Yes, it`s still Payday 2--full of all the sass, swearing, and swelling dubstep you remember--but almost every aspect is outdated or diminished in some way.Payday 2 is a first-person shooter about pulling off big heists, then using the money from those jobs to buy weapons and equipment to better tackle the harder heists that lay ahead. Heists can range from a simple smash-and-grab at a local jewelry store to an elaborate, three-day plan set across numerous locations to bring down a drug and weapons cartel.Using the aptly named Crime.net--the in-game database where mission contracts are offered--you sign up to each mission, set your loadout, and plan your approach. Some missions also offer the illusion of stealth, but stealth in Payday 2 rarely lasts for long. Every mission largely descends into a violent shootout at some point, but thankfully the variety in core mission structure is such that this isn`t a problem. It`s one of the game`s ultimate strengths, and that, at least, hasn`t changed in this edition.Team up with other capable players and you`ll see why people are still playing Payday 2 despite its age: it can be very fun, if chaotic. Playing with a full room of up to three other players speeds up the game immensely, giving the heists a sense of urgency that`s missing when you`re forced to play solo. Although it`s hindered by the Switch`s frustrating lack of voice chat, your teammates` status is conveyed in the UI, so it doesn`t take much to see whether they`re in trouble or not.Every heist is built with teamwork in mind, so if you`re playing on the go ...
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