Despite Payday 3 being a primarily cooperative game, it has been advertised to be playable solo. In my experience with previous Payday titles, I find this unsurprising. Not everyone has a group ready to roll with at all times, so having the option helps. However, with Payday 3 being an online-only game, can you still play it solo if you don't have an internet connection on hand? Read on and find out.
How to play Payday 3 solo without an internet connection
Sadly, because Payday 3 is online-only, it is no longer possible to play it alone without an internet connection. The option to play solo still does exist, but you'll still have to connect to the game's servers in order to do so.
What this means is that even if you wanted to play solo, you're still fully subjected to all the server issues those playing multiplayer are experiencing, at all times. This is a very sad departure from previous games in the series, even as someone who has always played these games with a group.
How to play Payday 3 alone
Provided you have that internet connection I just mentioned, simply select a heist mission and set your Lobby Type to Invite Only. Once you've done this, click on the Matchmake button and wait a few seconds for your private lobby to be set up.
When you're in your lobby, select your Loadout and click the Ready button. Note that it may take a few seconds before the Ready button is available to be clicked. Afterward, you'll be in your own game following a brief load screen. Don't expect to be able to pause your game though, because you can't, even solo.
Should you play Payday 3 solo?
Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. In Payday 3's case, honestly, I can't recommend doing so. Some missions get very difficult for a solo player. It might be possible to do so on easier missions and lower difficulties. However, Payday has been primarily a co-op experience right from the beginning, so I have to question the balance in a solo go at the game's most difficult content. The game does have Matchmaking built-in, making it easier than ever to play the game with a group, provided you can actually matchmake, of course.
For more quality guides on everything relating to Payday 3, check out Can you play Payday 3 early on Xbox Game Pass? right here on Pro Game Guides.
Darrus is a creative-minded individual with a passion for all things gaming. As a seasoned Game Guide writer that has been writing for the past 10+ years, and an active Narrative Designer for 5, he charges headfirst into the line of fire, taking on anything the industry has to offer him. The RPG genre is his home base.