Soldier of Fortune: Payback

Soldier of Fortune: Payback is a first-person shooter video game and the third installment of the Soldier of Fortune game series, following Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix. It is the first game of the series released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game was released on 14 November 2007.[2] The game involves a revenge plot against a worldwide terrorist organization.

Soldier of Fortune: Payback
Cover art
Developer(s)Cauldron HQ[1]
Publisher(s)Activision
Producer(s)Jozef Hudec
Designer(s)Martin Hornák
Programmer(s)Marián Suran
Artist(s)Ľuboš Lednár
Composer(s)Juraj Karkuš
SeriesSoldier of Fortune
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Release
  • EU: December 7, 2007
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer[4]

Unlike the previous two Soldier of Fortune games, which were developed by Raven Software using the id Tech 2 and id Tech 3 engines developed by id Software, Payback was developed by Cauldron HQ.[5][6]

The game was met with tepid, mostly negative reviews, with many saying the game looked pretty but the gameplay was uninspired. Like the other two games in the series, Payback had great character modelling and gore effects. Owing to the level of violence, the OFLC of Australia refused to classify the game. After the game was effectively banned in Australia, a modified version was released on February 28, 2008, that removed radical violence and dismemberment.

Plot

After freelance mercenary Thomas Mason (Kyle Herbert) is betrayed by his comrade during a mission, he swears revenge against a worldwide terrorist organization that brands all of its operatives with the same tattoo on their necks.[7][8][9][10]

Gameplay

Multiplayer

Up to 12 players can play online for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Multiplayer has only five maps and game modes available, such as Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Demolition and Elimination.

Reception
SOF: Payback Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Game Informer4.25/10
GamePro3.25/5
GameSpot4.5/10
IGN5.9/10
OXM (US)4.5/10

The game was met with negative reviews. Most critics cited the great character modelling and gore effects. Jason Ocampo of GameSpot scored it a 4.5/10. He claimed that "This shooter is a great exercise in pattern memorization and trial-and-error gameplay." He also said it "looks pretty." Jay Frechette of 1up.com scored the game a 5.5/10. Frechette said "Soldier of Fortune doesn't cross the line of being a bad game, but it hardly ever breaks the surface of mediocrity either."

Bans

On October 16, 2007, the game was refused classification by Australia's federal classification board, the Office of Film & Literature Classification (OFLC).[11] This effectively banned the game throughout Australia as video games which have been refused OFLC classification cannot be sold, advertised or imported. Activision modified the game to meet OFLC standards and it was re-classified with an MA15+ rating. This version does not include radical violence; dismemberment has been completely removed.[12][13] Activision released the modified game in Australia on February 28, 2008.[3]

Soldier of Fortune: Payback was banned in Germany, due to its high amount of violence.

References
  1. "Soldier of Fortune: Payback Confirmed by Activision". 2007-10-13. Archived from the original on 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  2. "Soldier of Fortune: Payback Confirmed by Activision". 2007-10-09. Archived from the original on 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  3. "IGN: Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back Banned in AU". Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  4. "Soldier of Fortune: Payback game description - PC". 2007-10-09. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  5. "Soldier of Fortune: Payback Confirmed by Activision". atomicgamer.com. 2007-10-09. Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
  6. "Cauldron HQ". Archived from the original on 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2012-10-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-10-14. Retrieved 2012-10-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-09-12. Retrieved 2012-10-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. http://www_gameanyone.com/game/PS3/803.html%5B%5D
  11. "Soldier of Fortune Gets Refused Classification after All". Kotaku Australia, kotaku.com.au. Archived from the original on 2007-11-19. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  12. "IGN: Soldier of Fortune: Payback Gets AU Classification". Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  13. "OFLC Happy With New 'Soldier Of Fortune: Payback'". Kotaku Australia. Archived from the original on 2007-12-01. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
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