PAYDAY 2 acts an exploration of heroism, tragedy, and drill repair.

Each of the four members of the "Payday Gang" you play as wears a mask representing the fact that the characters themselves are masks of real players around the world. Game missions focus on stealth and action which acts to highlight the moral dichotemies behind ethical bank robbery. Players can choose to customize their characters to focus on either component, but the skill choices are limited raising philosophical questions about the nature of individuality and free will.

The game's plot revolved around "Crime Net," a metaphor for dissonance and harmony within modern society. Players accept mission scenarios from shady contracts within "Crime Net" which further explores the nature of free-market economics as a core gameplay mechanic.

Players should note that this game is hard and has a high learning curve -- certainly a purposeful decision on the part of the developers to inject philosophical commentary regarding the nature of futility into the presentation. Death is inevitable, but so is rebirth, growth, and maturity. In this sense, Buddhist philosophy interweaves itself into the game's narrative.

Most of all, this game acts as a tragedy. The world's greatest bank robbers can afford everything but a decent drill. They can carry a military shotgun, a submachine gun, a shovel, several wooden planks, a set of grenades, a crowbar, a collection of body bags, two first aid kits, but only one card key at a time. They can walk into a bank wearing body armor without anyone noticing, but the moment they turn on a hand saw, someone half a block away calls the police.

I laughed, I cried, but most of all, I fixed my drill. I highly reccomend this game for the thrilling narrative alone.