Is this game too hard?

[Robbygray]

So I was wondering if anyone else is having problems to progress in this game beyond the heat street mission. All maps that can only be played in normal are too hard in my opinion. Usually I play this game with two friends of mine. Granted, we are no pro gamers and just play casually from time time. We do not manage to finish any of the maps that "need" to be played at least in normal difficulty. It's kind of off-putting and we do not buy the DLC because of this. I wonder why the devs don't allow to play all of the maps in easy mode. Makes me sad really, because the game is quite fun for us in easy mode and still a bit challenging for casual players.

I wonder if anyone else thinks the same about this?

[zehFISH]

be glad you can play them on normal back in the days when it was first released you could play for example diamand heist only on overkill....back to your question i don´t think it is too hard i usually play with only one friend of mine and we can beat most heist on overkill

[ＳＰＩＴＦＩＲＥ]

The game is meant to be hard, Up to the part where you rip your own ass in-side-out in anger.

[Sepums]

Well, At first, I'd like to say that you should be thankful you can play them on normal now, back then, you couldn't play the higher heists on normal.
Second, the developers intendedly made it difficult for it to be challenging and fun. Yes, even easy is a bit difficult, but the more difficulity, the higher the points, and it's also more fun unless you take it too seriously.
I usually play payday with one friend and two bots, And we usually play on Normal or Hard, it's not really difficult actually, but Payday is a game that seriously requires skill.
I'm not saying we are professionals or anything, we do fail alot, but we are sort of skilled since we game alot, so it's quite hard for those who aren't quite skilled.
Payday also requires teamwork, alot of teamwork, so if you don't help each other and stick together, you're mostly going to fail.
When I play with my friend we talk to each other using skype and play at the same time, that way you can save time typing commands and also have faster team reactions to threats, we don't use payday's communication system because it's very quite and difficult to hear between all the gunfire and screaming and stuff.
Also, we never succeeded on the first time, we have played Payday alot and we are very familiar with the tactics and scenarious, so knowing the game very well will help you.
At lower levels, like 50 and less, playing on higher difficulites is going to be hard, since weapon stats are low and equipment is not very effective, so i suggest you stick to easy/normal and play alot until you (atleast) get to level 50, then give higher difficulities a shot.
Before starting the heist be sure to plan everything with your friends and choose the proper equipment depending on what your role will be, planning is very important since payday isn't a regular shoot-em-up where you just shoot ♥♥♥♥ and hold buttons at other ♥♥♥♥♥.
Place equipment (like Medic bags) at proper times and in proper places, dropping the medic bag in an open place with lots of cops just to heal yourself is a bad idea, always place it in a strategic place that is easy to reach and is far from threats aswell, and it better to go down and then get helped by a friend that quickly deploying a medic bag to heal quickly and then discovering that this position is very bad.
Strategy, Planning, and Teamwork are the most important elements of success.
Also, move a LOT and always stay in cover, this isn't COD so don't think that you can survive 50 bullets to the chest, team up to take down special units and try to never face them alone, since special units are very dangerous, and they are one of the main reasons for failure unless encountered properly.
Always shout out any special units you see, take cover from tazers and keep distance from cloakers, distract shields and hit them in the back, and NEVER face a bulldozer alone, take cover from bulldozers and team up to take them down since the bulldozer is VERY powerful.
So yeah, as a not-so-pro payday player, I suggest you play with a close friend that is a good teamworker, I recommend constant voice communication (via skype for example) and I recommend that you should hone your FPS skills, always plan your game and remember not to take it too seriously.
Oh and, one last thing : always aim for the head, make every shot count.
I apologize for the long comment, and I hope that I helped you.
Have fun. ;D

[Rockets]

I think it's too hard, you are not alone. There should be an easier difficulty on all the levels.

On forums you have to expect people to queue up to say how easy they find it to play and that you are a casual player. It makes them feel good.

[Robbygray]

Thanks for your thoughts guys and thank you for the tips Warrud. Then again I agree with you rotekz. An easier difficulty wouldn't hurt. Especially since the devloper is kind of alienating the more casual player base.

[Phil]

Play the heists that you manage to beat on whatever difficulty you can. Because if you don't increase your stats/levels you won't stand a chance. The heists tend to offer some variations with their random events/outcomes so you should have enough replay value to level up.

[CyberPhoeno]

It is a shame that this game isn't designed for casual play. Although when I casually play it I do it on hard in singleplayer lol. But here hare some more tips to add to Warrud's list.

Always use cover, never be out in the open when you are fighting the cops. Their accuracy is near perfect, even at distances. Pop out of cover, kill a couple of cops then pop back into cover.

Abuse your shield. As soon as you see it deplete get back behind cover to let it regen. By doing this you can actually go entire games without taking damage to your green health.

Keep playing the game (kinds stupid but...).This game is a learning experience. You will fail at heists a lot, but everytime you play you learn better spots to hold up, great camping spots, proper places for the bags and your skills will increase.

That's all I can really add. Please don't let Payday's challenge discourage you. Because when you do start beating heists on the higher difficulties, nothing will beat that sense of accomplishment you feel when you win.

[5M0k1N]

i dont get people that complains about something being too hard. isnt that the fun about it?

[Delfox]

Yes, it is hard at first but when you get into it, its much more fun and gets easier because you know what you have to do... ive been playing Payday for a while with over 50 hours gameplay and i love the game, ive completed most heists on overkill and the rest on hard, its definatley my favourite game... the key is TEAMWORK... without it you dont stand a chance...

[Instant Ramen]

This is definitely not for casual gamers. They added easy mode to help casual gamers but ultimately there's a reason why there's an overkill difficulty setting.

[S_A_T_S]

It feels difficult when you start, but all you need to do is keep playing and level up. As you unlock more upgrades and get more used to the heists, it all gets a lot easier. I made sure I leveled up to all the armour upgrades to give me more survivability, and now I'm only playing on Hard. Hoping when I get close to 145, I'll be able to handle Overkill, but I can't do it yet ;-)

[CMDR Sweeper]

The problem you are experiencing is that unless you are in a 4 man crew, the game scales difficulty pretty poorly.
Unlike Left 4 Dead series that is the closest equivalent that constantly will match itself to the number of players and progress.

Payday's method is very rudamentary, what it does is always assuming that there are 4 players, and the difficulty itself is based on the level + a random component.
This means that you can quickly get a headache if you are sub level 100 and only two people, nor does the stupid Ai help either.
The fix for the devs are simple, take the amount of players into account for their difficulty as well.

[Shizeni]

Payday isn't hard as long as you aren't being too stupid about it.
Cops deal loads of damage, but once you figure out areas to duck from fire, just pop out take a few shots and hide back down and let your bodyarmor recharge.
If youre having trouble with health grab doctor bags. The game on normal is really easy, try it on overkll or hard, cops deal so much more damage that on normal you can run around on the lobby in FWB without losing 70% of your hp quickly.

[ViPer-F]

Just wanted to add onto a few things that have already been said. Sorry for the long post :P

If I remember well, the difficulty levels are set for specific ranks (i.e. hard is for lvl 40 upwards, according to devs).
Harder heists give a higer cash reward but require a planned strategy & different tactics (some things may work on hard but not on overkill or +, i believe).

As other people have already mentioned, be a TEAM player; use COVER, watch ANGLES & SIDES, use flanking/indirect & suppressing fire (cops shooting your teamates aren't shooting at you so they're a lot easier to kill) especially when helping downed teamates (1 heals & 1 gives covering fire) works well for all.
Don't forget to stay together, but do NOT bunch up, they will overrun you, eventually.
If you have to move, do like in the movies Heat, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket...

Shizeni is right, you may also add to it by changing the position you are firing from. Since you are hidden, cops will keep firing/aiming at your last known position, so, if crouching behind a table for ex, moving from right to left & standing/crouching to shoot will help you avoid tasers & grouped fire more effectively, whilst holding your position with minimal health loss.

Also, something very simple people don't seem to realise is that, when you shoot at them they shoot straight back! ..So, YES, it's a good idea when you wanna distract them, in order to give teammates the time to reach water valves, electric boxes, etc...BUT a rather silly idea when you wanna play rambo & stand out of cover getting blasted from all sides, expecting people to constantly revive you, like many people do...
On top of that, it doesn't MATTER how many cops you shoot during an assault!! They will keep spawning, all you need to do is keep them at bay & clean them out when its over if you need to.

Hell, you don't even need to kill any of them... Many times, failed shots will make them dive & run away for cover, aiming at them works as well. NO need to go on a personal vendetta to shoot one cop that got you once, only to meet a cop army outside/inside wherever you are defending...

The main aim of the game is to STEAL MONEY, NOT kill cops, although many people seem to forget that very simple aim.

...Oh yeah, one last thing: do not run paralell to a corner, or wherever you can't see what's behind, circle AROUND it instead as it will allow you to face one target at a time, instead of all at once...

[GhostRider [GRG]]

Stick with it and level up, play as a team, watch videos by people who have successul strategies, and don't hang out in one spot too long. It does get easier. Some missions (diamond heist, No Mercy) are much more difficult if you are not super stealthy. Look for videos that show you how to sneak around and beat them. Diamond Heist in particular can be beat with out firing a single shot except possible when leaving the vault.