Ready or Not

Developer: VOID Interactive
Release: Dec 13th 2023
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
Indie
Realistic
Tactical
Immersive
Bugs
Optimization
Ready or Not Poster

" Intense tactical FPS with realistic gunplay and co-op, but inconsistent AI and bugs "

Ready or Not Review

Ready or Not is a tactical first-person shooter that serves as a spiritual successor to the classic SWAT series, emphasizing realism, intense tactical gameplay, and team coordination. Players prepare meticulously by selecting equipment and planning strategies, with missions that are challenging and demand patience and precision. The game features detailed environments and realistic weapon mechanics, creating an immersive experience that can be emotionally impactful due to its mature, often disturbing subject matter.

The multiplayer co-op mode is highly praised for its tension and excitement, although solo play is noted as less engaging. Despite some technical issues like bugs, AI inconsistencies, and optimization problems, the developers show strong commitment through frequent updates and community engagement. The game’s controversial themes and gritty tone contribute to a unique, thought-provoking experience that appeals especially to fans of tactical shooters seeking depth and challenge.

Highlights

Players highly praise the game's realistic weapon handling, detailed environments, and tactical depth. The multiplayer co-op mode is especially celebrated for fostering teamwork and intense scenarios. The high level of customization, including equipment loadouts and mission planning, adds strategic variety. Graphics and sound design receive positive remarks for enhancing immersion. The game's emotional and mature storytelling, tackling difficult themes with care, is also recognized as a standout feature. Overall, Ready or Not is viewed as a worthy successor to SWAT 4 with a strong emphasis on realism and tactical gameplay.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on AI behavior inconsistencies, such as teammates ignoring orders and enemies exhibiting unfair advantages. Bugs affecting hitboxes, evidence detection, and mission grading frustrate players. Optimization issues cause frame rate drops and long loading times on some systems. The user interface and equipment management are sometimes clunky, with limited quality-of-life features. Some players find the difficulty punishing and the price steep for the current content. Additionally, the community is described as toxic by some, and lacking robust reporting or moderation tools.

Pros

  • Highly realistic weapon mechanics and satisfying gunplay enhance immersion and tactical depth.
  • Detailed and atmospheric environments contribute to a gripping and authentic experience.
  • Multiplayer co-op mode offers tense, exciting gameplay that rewards teamwork.
  • Extensive mission planning and equipment customization provide strategic variety.
  • Mature and thought-provoking storylines address difficult real-world issues sensitively.
  • Strong developer support with frequent updates and community engagement.
  • Challenging gameplay that appeals to fans of tactical shooters and realism.

Cons

  • AI behavior is inconsistent, with teammates sometimes ignoring orders or standing idle.
  • Bugs and glitches affect hit detection, evidence searching, and mission completion.
  • Optimization issues cause FPS drops and long loading times on some hardware.
  • User interface and equipment management lack polish and quality-of-life features.
  • Pricing is considered steep relative to current content volume by some players.
  • Community toxicity and lack of reporting tools affect multiplayer experience.
  • Solo play is less engaging compared to multiplayer co-op mode.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Ready or Not is an intense, tactical, first-person shooter that depicts a modern-day world in which SWAT police units are called to defuse hostile and confronting situations.

Release Date Dec 13th 2023
Publisher VOID Interactive
Developer VOID Interactive
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (102,296)
91% Positive 9% Negative