It’s unlikely that SWAT team members shout “It’s me!” whenever they round a corner or open a door, but in my experience, it’s more like they’re shooting me in the head and setting off flashbangs, which is only marginally less bothersome than getting shot in the head.
Starting out with Ready or Not, the grueling tactical first-person shooter from Void Interactive, newly arrived on consoles, can be quite an intense experience. The speed at which enemies eliminate you creates a particular reflex – if you spot a head, your instinct is to fire, whether it belongs to the enemy or one of your teammates.
In Ready or Not, the AI-controlled enemies can make you feel extremely anxious. They are stealthy and can be found lurking behind corners, under furniture, and in storage spaces. They’re able to squeeze through narrow openings and position themselves from multiple angles. They manage to shoot you before you have a chance to spot them, and they seem to predict where you’ll emerge from doors. Sometimes they even shoot through doors if they hear you on the other side. They also use human shields. Given their tactics and the eerie atmosphere of the game, it sometimes feels like you’re playing a horror game.
The scenario presents you with distressing circumstances, such as an active shooter on a college campus, a terrorist attack at a nightclub, or a model agency exploiting children – it’s appalling and seems to be an even more twisted relative of SWAT 4. Sometimes, it appears that these events are used for dramatic effect, but they effectively immerse you in the world with personal and recognizable risks. These situations are similar to what you might see on the news. In most cases, there are obvious antagonists present.
In transitioning the game to consoles, certain aspects were scaled back slightly, but these alterations are minimal and do not significantly impact the overall enjoyment.
One key advantage of this game lies in its diversity. You’ll encounter numerous scenarios (with even more options from DLC) to conquer, each having a distinct atmosphere. The random arrangement of enemy positions, traps, and hostages ensures that every playthrough is unique. After several repeats, you might find yourself avoiding headshots instead!
2025 might present challenges when releasing a cop-themed game, but I believe Ready or Not strikes an appropriate balance. The exceptions mentioned are mission scenarios where you can understand and even sympathize with the antagonist. These include a cult of vigilante women seeking justice against abusers, or a streamer who’s been swatted. Such situations slightly challenge the notion that heavily-armed police are always the answer to every problem. However, as you become more immersed in the game, you may find that it’s not primarily about shooting enemies – this aspect is actually discouraged.
To achieve the top rank in each mission, ensure that every suspect is apprehended and every hostage is safely rescued without resorting to violence or causing casualties within your team. This calls for strategic thinking, entering with tear gas, protective gear, riot shields, and pepper ball rounds. The challenge lies in the fact that many enemies won’t surrender easily, but the sense of accomplishment when you succeed is immense. It requires precise planning, quick action, and attention to detail, as you sweep through each room using shock tactics and working together as a team, covering each other’s backs.
Sure, there are certainly areas for improvement in this game. For instance, I’ve found myself having to restart missions due to missing evidence, hindering my ability to achieve an S Rank, or instances where hostages seemed to merge with the scenery. At times, the AI seems almost omniscient, managing to track me flawlessly through solid walls. The absence of substantial stealth mechanics, considering the availability of silencers, feels like a missed potential. It’s also peculiar that my highly-trained SWAT team members can’t jump over low obstacles or break through windows. The lack of rappelling features is quite disappointing, to say the least.
Despite the fact that many games have moved towards online hero shooters, such as Rainbow Six by Ubisoft, there’s nothing quite like a true hardcore military simulator. It seems that the era of these types of games has passed for now. However, Ready or Not has managed to break through this barrier and show that there is still a large audience craving these games on PC. With some updates, I’m confident it will achieve the same success on consoles as well.
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2025-07-15 15:46