Soldier of Fortune: Payback

 PlayStation 3
Soldier of Fortune: Payback Image
Metascore
50

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 16 Ratings

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  • Summary: Soldier of Fortune Payback evolves the signature gameplay of its predecessors with refined controls, tension-packed warzones, and an enemy damage system that may be shocking to even experienced FPS players. Boasting more weapons options than any previous Soldier of Fortune installment,Soldier of Fortune Payback evolves the signature gameplay of its predecessors with refined controls, tension-packed warzones, and an enemy damage system that may be shocking to even experienced FPS players. Boasting more weapons options than any previous Soldier of Fortune installment, Soldier of Fortune Payback's impressive arsenal includes an array of more than 30 weapons including sub-machine guns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, projectile explosives, weapon attachments and cutting-edge tactical weapons. The game features many of players' favorite online multiplayer modes including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Elimination, Team Elimination, Capture the Flag, and Demolition. Additional online options include maps tuned specifically for multiplayer action, persistent stat-tracking throughout the gamer’s online career, and many server settings for custom online play. The storyline reflects the practice of "outsourcing" wars. When a routine escort mission goes horribly wrong, freelance mercenary Thomas Mason finds himself battling an insidious enemy that knows no boundaries. Traditional armies can not handle these extremists – only underground guns for hire can fight a war this dirty and get results. [Activision]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 14
  3. Negative: 5 out of 14
  1. ZTGD
    65
    If you are a fan of the series and can handle some of the hang-ups found in this latest chapter then by all means snatch it up, I know I could use more people online to play with. However, most FPS gamers looking for the next best thing will find Payback a bit too much on the derivative side to warrant its full price tag.
  2. PSM3 Magazine UK
    62
    Ignore the gore and this is an average shooter. [Feb 2008, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. IGN
    61
    Soldier of Fortune: Payback has one thing going for it: excessive dismemberment. Everything else is standard stuff for a shooter. Yet, I must admit, that I get a guilty pleasure playing Payback. Though it's not a good game, it's still fun to see body parts fly.
  4. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    51
    What we don’t understand is why someone allowed this to soil the reputation of one of the best FPS series of the last generation.
  5. Game Over Online
    50
    For some unknown reason Activision took a pretty respectable franchise (I still play SoF2 from time to time to this day, and it is still installed on my PC), and chucked it in the garbage.
  6. GameSpot
    45
    This shooter is a painful exercise in pattern memorization plus frustrating trial-and-error gameplay.
  7. Eurogamer
    30
    When Soldier of Fortune Payback isn't being generic and shallow, its being utterly crap and thus does nothing to mitigate its gleeful and deliberate xenophobia.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. NotTelling
    Feb 21, 2008
    10
    This game is extremely underrated. The problem most people have with this game is that it has a horrible plot. I agree wholeheartedly, but itThis game is extremely underrated. The problem most people have with this game is that it has a horrible plot. I agree wholeheartedly, but it doesn't ruin the game. Where most games nowadays are using good plots to compel people through the games, this game is taking it back to the roots of the genre. After all, who played Doom for the plot? The plot in that game can be explained in a single sentence, yet it's regarded as the grand daddy of first person shooters. The motivation to play the game is the gameplay; the excessive shooting, blood, and gore. Comparably, the levels in Soldier of Fortune: Payback are uninspiring, but they are merely a beautiful backdrop to the mass carnage you lay down. Who played Contra for the level design? Most people focus on the flaws of the game, but one look at the bright side of the game fades all of the flaws into silhouette. Buy and play this game expecting it to be what it is. It's a mindless shooter that does it better than any game in recent years.… Expand
  2. WolfeS.
    Dec 1, 2007
    8
    The first FPS that I know of to come out for the PS3 where body parts fly and I love it. SOF Payback definitely earns its Mature rating and The first FPS that I know of to come out for the PS3 where body parts fly and I love it. SOF Payback definitely earns its Mature rating and while it may not be the slickest FPS out it sure does feel like war. Its intense over-the-top violence is a must have for persons of the genre. The graphics are good but the dismemberment ups the ante by adding to the overall equation. The weapons and their options (many types of scopes, an under-barrel grenade launcher, silencer) are great and the sound is very good. And I love the locations - I felt like I was right there in the rice patties with the enemy lurking nearby. Crouched and sneaking through reeds and thick rice plants that grew out of waist-high water, I knew the enemy was closeby. ...and then they heard me. RATATATT!! They began to yell and shoot at me! Their bullets hit their mark and my hair stood on end. I fired my AK-47 in the direction from which I was hit and didn't let off the trigger until the clip ran out. I didn't get them all... Cool.… Expand
  4. ToddK.
    Jan 3, 2008
    8
    This is a very FUN game to play if you enjoy blasting off body parts and a lot of blood. The reviews don't do this game justice. Much This is a very FUN game to play if you enjoy blasting off body parts and a lot of blood. The reviews don't do this game justice. Much better than a 50. It is a very short single player campaign though.… Expand
  5. TimD.
    Dec 4, 2007
    7
    1st thing of note is finally someone is taking advantage of 1080p. The graphics are great and the draw distances are really dynamic. That 1st thing of note is finally someone is taking advantage of 1080p. The graphics are great and the draw distances are really dynamic. That aside the game play is a bit of a let down. The AI is essentially retarded. Either the guys will run right at you and sometimes right past you or they will just stand there mindlessly and shoot at you. Its also kind of stupid that your dropping everyone with single shot kills but when you get to the level bosses, they are virtually indestrucible. To cap everything else, the ending is about as dumb as can be. Unfortunately not many people play online. The online play is decent but lacks in number of Maps. Recommend rental.… Expand
  6. roaldkaspers
    Nov 18, 2015
    7
    This Game has a terrible Story but the Gore and Gameplay definitely makes up for it. You might find this Game a little offensive but we allThis Game has a terrible Story but the Gore and Gameplay definitely makes up for it. You might find this Game a little offensive but we all know blowing off Limbs is great Fun.… Expand
  7. IlanXD
    Aug 22, 2012
    6
    Well, this game can be fun at times, but it is really not that fun. There are many difficult parts in the game where you can lose your mind.Well, this game can be fun at times, but it is really not that fun. There are many difficult parts in the game where you can lose your mind. Most graphics feel wooden. It is a nice game, but clearly not "great".… Expand
  8. Guivera
    Feb 28, 2011
    3
    One of the worst plots and shortest campaigns I have EVER seen. Certainly this game deserves its bad reviews, its clunky, buggy and can'tOne of the worst plots and shortest campaigns I have EVER seen. Certainly this game deserves its bad reviews, its clunky, buggy and can't compete with the likes of COD and Battlefield. There are enjoyable elements such as being able to blow off limbs (crude i know, but we all know it's fun) but overall this game belongs in the bargain bin at best.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Best PS3 Game of 2007
60
#60 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2007
44
#44 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2007