Soldier of Fortune: Payback (2007)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 7 minutes read

Summary

Soldier of Fortune: Payback – A Return to Form for the Classic FPS Franchise

Introduction

Soldier of Fortune: Payback is a first-person shooter video game and the third installment in the Soldier of Fortune game series. Unlike the previous two Soldier of Fortune games, which were developed by Raven Software utilizing the Quake 2 and Quake 3 engines, Payback was developed by Cauldron HQ and developed with Cauldron’s in-house CloakNT engine, used in their previous first person shooter game, Chaser. It is the first game of the series released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game was released on 14 November 2007.

Story

Soldier of Fortune: Payback follows the story of Mason Hayes, a former U.S. Army Ranger and member of the elite Soldier of Fortune mercenary group. After being betrayed by his former commander, Hayes is left for dead and vows revenge. He teams up with a group of fellow mercenaries to take down the corrupt organization that betrayed him.

The story is told through a series of cutscenes and in-game dialogue. The cutscenes are well-produced and feature some great voice acting. The story is engaging and keeps the player hooked from beginning to end.

Gameplay

Soldier of Fortune: Payback is a fast-paced and action-packed first-person shooter. The game features a variety of weapons, including assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, and explosives. Players can also use a variety of gadgets, such as night vision goggles and motion detectors.

The game’s levels are large and open-ended, giving players the freedom to explore and choose their own path. The levels are also very detailed and feature a variety of interactive objects.

Soldier of Fortune: Payback also features a number of multiplayer modes, including deathmatch, team deathmatch, and capture the flag. The multiplayer modes are a lot of fun and offer a great way to test your skills against other players.

Graphics and Sound

Soldier of Fortune: Payback features some of the best graphics of any first-person shooter on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game’s environments are incredibly detailed and the character models are very well-animated. The game also features some great lighting and particle effects.

The game’s sound is also top-notch. The voice acting is excellent and the sound effects are very realistic. The game’s music is also very good and helps to create a sense of atmosphere.

Overall

Soldier of Fortune: Payback is a great first-person shooter that offers a lot of action and excitement. The game’s story is engaging, the gameplay is fast-paced and fun, and the graphics and sound are top-notch. If you’re a fan of first-person shooters, then you should definitely check out Soldier of Fortune: Payback.

Score: 8/10

Pros:

  • Engaging story
  • Fast-paced and fun gameplay
  • Great graphics and sound
  • Variety of weapons and gadgets
  • Large and open-ended levels

Cons:

  • Some of the levels can be a bit too linear
  • The AI can be a bit dumb at times
  • The game can be a bit too difficult at times

A Deeper Dive into the Gameplay

Weapons

Soldier of Fortune: Payback features a wide variety of weapons, including assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, and explosives. Each weapon has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to choose the right weapon for the job.

Assault rifles are the most versatile weapons in the game. They can be used for close-quarters combat or long-range shooting. Shotguns are great for close-quarters combat, but they’re not very effective at long range. Sniper rifles are great for taking out enemies from a distance, but they’re not very good for close-quarters combat. Explosives can be used to destroy cover or take out groups of enemies.

Gadgets

In addition to weapons, players can also use a variety of gadgets in Soldier of Fortune: Payback. These gadgets can be used to give players an advantage in combat.

Night vision goggles allow players to see in the dark. Motion detectors can be used to detect enemy movement. Laser designators can be used to mark targets for airstrikes.

Levels

The levels in Soldier of Fortune: Payback are large and open-ended, giving players the freedom to explore and choose their own path. The levels are also very detailed and feature a variety of interactive objects.

Some of the levels in the game are more linear than others. For example, the first level is a fairly straightforward run-and-gun level. However, later levels in the game are more open-ended and allow players to explore more freely.

Multiplayer

Soldier of Fortune: Payback features a number of multiplayer modes, including deathmatch, team deathmatch, and capture the flag. The multiplayer modes are a lot of fun and offer a great way to test your skills against other players.

Deathmatch is a free-for-all mode where players compete to get the most kills. Team deathmatch is a team-based mode where players compete to get the most kills for their team. Capture the flag is a mode where players compete to capture the other team’s flag and return it to their own base.

Conclusion

Soldier of Fortune: Payback is a great first-person shooter that offers a lot of action and excitement. The game’s story is engaging, the gameplay is fast-paced and fun, and the graphics and sound are top-notch. If you’re a fan of first-person shooters, then you should definitely check out Soldier of Fortune: Payback.

Review Score

7/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Profile photo of Christopher

Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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