Overkill has successfully created a game with tons of content for new and veteran players with constant updates, DLC, and countless events with Payday 2. This heist sim has earned the support and love of a massive community that is still highly loyal to the game even after years of release, thanks to its enormous content and exciting gameplay.
With this success, in November 2017, Payday 2 VR was released for free for everyone to enjoy allowing fans of the franchise to immerse themselves in this universe and make them feel like they are there shooting and looting everything on their way.
Furthermore, while Payday 2 VR isn’t perfect, it is a solid experience that most fans will enjoy. With a few tweaks here and there, it can be the most fun way to play from now on. This article will cover everything related to Payday 2 VR, including tips and tricks to have a better and more enjoyable experience in virtual reality.
This VR mode is a change of pace for Payday 2 and a fantastic way to jump back in with your friends while waiting for Payday 3, which, hopefully, will also feature a VR mode.
Brief Overview of Payday 2’s Gameplay
Payday 2 is a game where players must team up with others or play solo with bots and complete tasks and heists. The game allows players to play every mission differently and with varying difficulty levels. Playing at a higher difficulty will make the game more challenging but more rewarding to the player.
Moreover, objectives and ways to complete a heist can vary.
There are seven difficulties in Payday 2: Normal. Hard, Very Hard, Overkill, Mayhem, Death Wish, and Death Sentence. Each one of these difficulties offers different rewards and amounts of money. After Overkill, everything gets more serious, and only the most experienced players can handle those.
Players can unlock and buy new equipment, including the best weapons in Payday 2. Furthermore, gamers can heavily customize to adapt to their play style. There also are the Skills and Perk Decks which a player can select to have special bonuses with active and passive abilities in their Payday 2 builds, depending on how they want to play.
You can play Payday 2 with Bots, friends, or random foes that players can join.
How to Play Payday 2 in VR Mode
Payday is already an entertaining game where players can spend hundreds of hours playing and never run out of content by doing different activities, enjoying the many DLC the game offers, unlockables, and more.
Payday 2 VR is a free DLC that will give veteran and new players a fresh experience with new challenges. Yet, how do you play this game in virtual reality?
Get Started
First, you will need to go to the Payday 2 Steam Store page and scroll down to where it says CONTENT FOR THIS GAME.
Once there, hit See All, which will take you to every DLC available for Payday 2.
After you find the Payday 2 VR expansion, click on it to go to its store page and hit the download button.
To make sure the Payday 2 VR mode is going to work, head to your games library on Steam, look for Payday 2, right-click on it, and hit Properties.
Once in Properties, go to the DLC tab and make sure Payday 2 VR is check-marked.
Now you are ready to play! Hit Play and then select Launch Payday 2 VR in Steam VR mode.
Recommended Settings for Payday 2’s Virtual Reality Mode
Once you launch the game, turn to the left to see the VR Settings Menu to modify the settings however you want. Here are some of the options we recommend changing.
Related Article: The 5 Best Payday 2 Mods to Shake up the Game
Gameplay
- Auto Reload: Off
- Aim Stabilization: On
Advanced
- Comfort Camera: Off
- Collision Fallout: Smooth
- Collision Teleport: Off
Movement
- Movement Type: Dash+Direct
These settings will move a lot better than only using a dash. We highly recommend you install this Locomotion mod in this link to improve movement in Payday 2 VR.
- Automatic Dash: Long
Which Virtual Reality Headsets are Compatible with Payday 2 VR?
Payday 2 VR is compatible with the following VR Headsets. Other headsets may work, especially as-yet-released headsets. However, to ensure maximum compatibility, we recommend you only go with one of these headsets or any listed on Payday 2’s official VR documentation or their Steam Store page.
- Valve Index
- HTC Vive
- Oculus Rift
- Oculus Rift S
- Oculus Quest 2
Invite Your Friends
Playing Payday 2 VR with other people doesn’t require any science as you have to do it the same way on non-VR mode.
Payday 2 has crossplay between VR and non-VR players, so have fun playing with whoever and in any way you desire.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Playing Payday 2 in VR Mode
As much as this game can be very entertaining while playing it on VR, there are some advantages and disadvantages every player should consider.
Advantages of Playing Payday 2 in Virtual Reality
Multitasking
In VR mode, you can do one action with a hand. While it’s loading, you can shoot with your other hand.
Immersion
Immersion is something that it´s a staple of VR games, and playing this game on VR will make you feel more immersed than ever in this game.
Movement Freedom
While playing Payday 2 on VR, you can move however you want, as it depends on your body movement.
While doing this, you can learn to shoot safely, get cover wherever you want, and even be prone.
Related Article: The Best Payday 2 Stealth Build
Disadvantages of Playing Payday 2 in VR Mode
Motion Sickness
Motion Sickness is not a problem with the game but with VR. If you are new to the VR world, you might feel nauseous after your playing session. First, you will struggle with reloads and finding your equipment, which might require some restarts to succeed.
Limited Customization
While you can still freely customize your weapon, some stats become irrelevant such as stability, and now your accuracy depends on you.
Tips and Tricks to Improve your Payday 2 VR experience
Make sure to consider the following information to improve your Payday 2 VR gameplay, as the game is not perfect but can get improved by tweaking some screws.
Manual Reload Please
Yes, using the Automatic Reload option will make things easier, but the more you play, it will feel monotonous and boring. Manual Reload will make you feel like a badass and is much more tactical than automatic.
The Manual also allows you to do partial reloads in case you need to cancel the magazine swap urgently.
To Reload, press the grip button in your controller, wait for the reload box to finish on your belt below, and then put your weapon inside that box to complete the reload.
It is About the Skill
In Payday 2 VR, you will use your aiming skills to land your shots. Consider not spending too much time on the customization menu, as the stability and accuracy are up to you and your aim.
This tip does not mean that you should not customize your weapon to do more damage or have a more prominent magazine or sights that definitely will help you.
Laser Sights For The Win in Payday 2 VR Mode
While playing VR, it is harder to aim as you are not holding a gun and have nowhere to support it.
Adding Laser Sights to your weapons will highly assist you with your aim making it easier to pick targets quicker.
Cover Yourself
In Payday 2 non–VR, you have to stick with what the game wants you to use as cover, but there are no limits in VR mode.
Find yourself some excellent cover wherever you want. If you’re going to physically lay down on the ground to get outside or shoot from a prone position, go for it. Your stamina is your limit.
Open Mic
Playing Payday 2 in virtual reality will make your hands busy, so before jumping into a match, switch your voice settings to an open mic, so you don´t have to press anything to communicate.
Build a War Room
For this game, you will need to move a lot and play while standing, so make sure you have room for that, so you don´t hit a wall or your dog.
We also recommend you play with a wireless VR headset as the default version of Payday 2 VR doesn´t offer a setting to turn with the controllers; you have to do it with your body.
Related Article: How to Make the Best Payday 2 Leech Build
Beat Em UP!
A fun feature of Payday 2 in VR is that you can swing your hands to punch enemies, and while this is fun, it can get you killed. Instead of throwing your arms, charge your punch with the trigger and slam your enemy.
This way, your hits will require less energy and be more effective.
Last Thoughts
Payday 2 VR is an entertaining experience that will offer every franchise fan a new way to play the game.
We hope you have a fantastic experience following this guide for Payday 2 VR mode, just like we did.
Do not forget to check our other Payday 2 Guides for more insight and strats for this game. For those that are looking for more exciting gameplay, we recommend you check out our dodge build guide for Payday 2. It’s great fun to try out and will keep you on your toes.
Good Luck, Good Heist!
