The world of first-person shooters is an interesting one, and it's about to grow on the PlayStation 5 this summer. For those looking for an alternative to the de-facto guns-blazing, blockbuster approach of other "grounded" shooters like Call of Duty, the PS5 port of a highly regarded 2023 FPS is sure to offer a much-needed shake-up.
Currently only available for purchase on Steam, Ready or Not touts itself as a highly tactical, gritty first-person shooter that follows the operations of a SWAT team in the fictional city of Los Suenos. Taking players through a series of intense breach scenarios, Ready or Not certainly doesn't market itself for the faint of heart, and its quasi-simulation presentation may remind some of the likes of Six Days in Fallujah, a recreation of one of the most intense US military operations in Iraq. While Ready or Not isn't quite as realistic as that infamous game, it certainly bucks the trends of other reality-inspired shooters, promising to offer players an experience they won't soon forget. In a few months, PS5 players will get a chance to delve into this no-holds-barred world themselves.
Does Ready Or Not Finally Feel Like a Full Game 365 Days Later?
Released on Steam exactly one year ago today, Ready or Not is a tactical first-person shooter by VOID Interactive.
An Introduction to Ready or Not
Ready or Not Puts Players in the Driver's Seat of SWAT Operations
Planning and forethought are on equal footing with quick-thinking and button skill in Ready or Not. As the leader of a fictional SWAT team, players are tasked with composing the most optimal group of hardened, highly trained operatives, lending the game an RPG-inspired flair courtesy of its party-based mechanics. Like other tough-as-nails titles such as Darkest Dungeon, Ready or Not features a mental health mechanic, urging players to monitor the psychic well-being of their teammates for the best results. If a member of the team is struggling with untreated PTSD, it can lead to catastrophe on the field of battle.
Thus, Ready or Not transplants the high-octane, intense nature of war into a more familiar, residential setting. Players will be faced with dispatching domestic terrorists, child predators, and hostage-takers, providing an appropriately harrowing gameplay experience. There are no high-speed car chases, no sweeping orchestral soundtracks to signify heroism, and no outlandish plot of political intrigue to remove players from the reality of what they are experiencing. Indeed, Ready or Not is a far cry from the average AAA military shooter sim, which is precisely what makes it such an appealing title.
At the time of writing, Ready or Not is currently nestled at a comfortable rating of 90% Very Positive on Steam.
Why Ready or Not Is a Breath of Fresh Air
Though not technically a military shooter, Ready or Not may as well be: players take control of a very real armed force, and American SWAT teams are essentially militarized government groups, taxpayer-funded and targeting the same broad-strokes social goals as the Army or Navy. This begs comparison between Ready or Not and the likes of Call of Duty, and it's clear to see what the former can offer that the latter lacks.
For one thing, Ready or Not is far from a crowd-pleasing title—not everyone is going to like its highly tactical, strategy-laden gameplay. This is a stark contrast from COD or Battlefield, which both attempt to cast the widest net possible. Moreover, Ready or Not takes steps to avoid glorifying or trivializing violent military operations, which is something that both the aforementioned franchises, as well as other IP like Medal of Honor, have been criticized for in the past. No, Ready or Not isn't a bombastic blockbuster experience filled with fly-by-the-pants heroics, but an attempt at hard-hitting, small-scale storytelling about the trials of the US' Special Weapons and Tactics forces, making it a unique and promising game.
Ready or Not
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
- Released
- December 13, 2023
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Void Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Void Interactive
WHERE TO PLAY
Become an elite SWAT commander and bring order to a city overwhelmed by chaos and corruption.
Lead a team of highly-trained SWAT officers through unpredictable high-risk missions against ruthless criminals to prevent the city from spiralling into disorder. Equip real-world weapons and gear to tackle missions inspired by current events against Los Sueňos’ ruthless criminal element.
Every decision, from squad selection to tactical breach and engagement is the difference between life and death.
Are you ready?
FEATURES
Take Command
Ready or Not delivers an immersive SWAT experience. Equip your team with authentic weapons and gear, deploy into high-stakes, real-world inspired missions to secure locations concealing unknown criminal threats and potential civilians. Every mission demands tactical precision and situational awareness. Bullets from known and concealed threats react realistically with the environment, passing through walls, furniture and bodies. Cover your six, clear your corners, apprehend the threats and rescue the innocent.
The Weight of the Badge
Shoulder the weight of being a SWAT commander entrusted with confronting Los Sueňos’ criminal corruption and stopping it from overwhelming the city’s citizens. Every tactical decision matters, every outcome is yours to bear. Your choices in the field dictate mission success, the survival of your squad and the safety of hostages. Squadmate and hostage deaths take a profound psychological toll on surviving team members, affecting their performance or ending their careers altogether.
True Tactical Gameplay
Ready or Not is a true tactical shooter. Every mission is a high-stakes, life-or-death operation. Strategically forge your squad of elite SWAT officers, equip them with the right weapons and gear for the mission, position your team to tactically breach criminal strongholds and quickly identify and neutralize threats in tense, life threatening scenarios. Follow the rules of engagement, communicate with your team, and execute flawlessly - failure is for the unprepared.
Your Mission is the Story
Ready or Not confronts you with a raw, unflinching mirror of real-world crime, exposing the horrors of human trafficking, drug running, illegal arms dealing, militant extremism and terrorism through interwoven storylines that span multiple missions. Grapple with moral dilemmas as you’re forced to balance your duty to exercise constraint in the face of Los Sueňos' most vile criminals.
Cross-Comradery
Team up with friends to stem the tide of crime infesting the city. Enhanced with crossplay, Ready or Not supports up to five players in a co-operative tactical experience on all platforms. Communicate effectively to increase your tactical precision, watch your squad’s back and successfully complete your mission.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, FPS
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- How Long To Beat
- 16 hours
