Starbreeze Studios has sprung a delightful surprise on fans by announcing a collaboration between the classic indie title Hotline Miami and the upcoming Payday 3. While these two gaming worlds have crossed paths before, it’s refreshing to see Hotline Miami making a comeback in such a big way, considering it hasn’t been in the spotlight for a while.
Payday 3 hasn’t had the smoothest journey post-launch. It’s received mixed reviews and lacks some of the rich content that made its predecessor so popular, leaving many wondering why they should move on from Payday 2. For a brief period in 2024, it managed to claw its way up to “Mostly Positive” on Steam reviews but soon slipped back to “Mixed.” Nonetheless, Starbreeze Studios seems undeterred and remains committed to refining Payday 3 despite it falling short of expectations both critically and commercially.
A new trailer has just dropped, confirming the exciting news of the Hotline Miami collaboration with Payday 3. This mash-up will give players the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of Jacket, the silent protagonist from Hotline Miami, and wield some new armory. Among these additions is the Overkill Weapon known as Sociopath, a deadly baseball bat reminiscent of the one Jacket famously uses. The Jacket Character Pack is anticipated to launch on February 3, making its way to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC versions.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time these two franchises have linked up. Back in 2014, Payday 2 released a Hotline Miami DLC at the height of the original game’s popularity. Since then, a sequel hasn’t surfaced, and while Hotline Miami remains a beloved title, it’s not as relevant today as it once was. This makes its inclusion in Payday 3 an unexpected but welcome surprise—after all, more Hotline Miami is always a treat.
As for the future of Payday 3, things remain uncertain. While the franchise still holds a considerable place in the gaming community’s heart, Payday 3’s lukewarm reception has certainly been a setback. Starbreeze Studios announced late in 2024 that there will be reduced investment in Payday 3 moving forward, which is concerning for its supporters. Yet, the developers are optimistic they can eventually deliver something worthwhile, regardless of the challenges. They have quite the hurdle to overcome if they hope to rival the success and allure of the previous installment.
