... for the PS3 version. Should be spoiler free (except the often publicly shown Bank level and even then nothing crazy specific).
Visually, it is nothing particularly special. However, it isn't bad. There is just some fairly standard, realistically styled art at every corner which can make it visually unappealing to my eyes, though others may enjoy it more. Often, PayDay can look really good when the art can blend with visual effects and all the glorious action that goes on. Despite the art style lacking any substance with me, the visuals are really a non-issue because I am very rarely paying close enough attention to them to even care. Regardless, the framerate issues the game can suffer from on occasion are as annoying in this game as they are in any other game. Not all the time, but occasionally the game will take a dive when the police pop smoke and there is a lot going on. I personally don't feel it is game breaking unplayable because the drops aren't to sub 15 - 20 or lower, but it can be immersion destroying and frustrating. I'm sick of developers not caring much about framerate... so annoying.
Mentioning immersion, it is something the game actually does really well despite the dry art style. The moment you start the opening bank sequence, the music and the walk inside just set the mood almost immediately. You know you are about to cause some havoc, and you are just waiting for the right moment. The music in this section is really, really good for building tension, setting the mood and drawing you into the bank. Once you start the heist, the music picks up and maintains pace with the pretty frantic action of the ensuing shootout. I know some might prefer to turn the music down to so they can focus on the shouting, but I like having it on because I feel it increases the tension.
Gameplay wise, the game is the good when you play with the A.I bots, but they aren't entirely intelligent and will often run out into the open and get owned pretty quickly by the police. You are generally responsible for ensuring all mission objectives and that can be a bit of a pain in the ass... although I have only played a few rounds with the A.I, so maybe they do more in different levels or I am just missing something entirely. Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that it A.I is fairly dumb. You are better off just using the offline portion to grind up equipment and hone your aiming.
However, move to the online portion and this game suddenly becomes one of the best I've played all year. Get a full room and start the bank heist... start communicating right away and this game just takes on a whole new life. Spread out along the bank and count down the start to the heist. All hell will break loose and you are have to start coordinating your attacks and retreats. Call someone to take out the cameras and always keep a group of two. Call out that you are planting the drill and have the other three provide cover. Start coordinating where you drop the bag of ammunition so you always have access to it and no one is too far away from the others. One player fires into the crowd of police and the other reloads and restocks his ammo. Repeat the process for each player and be make sure you get one player covering the rear at all times. Plant positions and hold up. Use cover effectively and the game just flows. There is very little like it out there right now. Each game I had, even the ones I lost, were just frantic, crazy battles of attrition and risk / reward. Push too much and you get punished, stay back and hide and you end up getting overwhelmed.
It reminds me of Left 4 Dead, but instead more focused, controlled and linear. I had some of the most fun I've had all year with my second full game. Everyone worked together and it just worked... and there was still room for improvement. It really makes you feel like you just accomplished something pretty crazy and it feels good man... I like the steady increase in equipment and upgrading, because it keeps you motivated to keep playing, but doesn't get ridiculously tedious either. Constant progress updates on your trophies and leveling make it easy to know where you are at and how much more a certain action will take before you get that trophy or level.
However, I really dislike the gunplay... I'm sure some of you are aware of my obsession with Killzone-like control and the fluid, smooth weighty feel the game introduced... so going to this was like trying to eat a handful of cinnamon at once. I just couldn't do it... it took me far too many rounds to get used to the almost robotic aiming adjustments and I still can't get used it to it. Not enough small movement in aiming and far too much overcompensation when trying to make small adjustments.
Granted, the actual button placement is good and after a few more days, I think (I hope) I will get used to it. For some, it won't be a problem, but for me, it was. I'll get over it at some point I'm sure, but it was a little jarring.
Final thing to mention is just to make sure you listen carefully to the game. There is a lot of scripted communication and it can be important, so just make sure you keep your ears clean. It'll be interesting to see the future of the game after a few patches. Hopefully they can tighten up the aiming to make it a little smoother and fluid, make the objective markers a bit bigger and work on a few smaller issues and I think this game will have a solid community behind it. They just need to release a few extra maps to play... hopefully on the cheap... or free.
When all is said and done (and ignoring my personal annoyance with the aiming), I really, really like it. Hopefully, people give it a try. I tried to keep it spoiler free, sans the already often demoed Bank level.
PSN is Reeducator