Review: Ready or Not (PS5) – Disturbing Co-Op Shooter Is a Tactical Must-Play

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As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but immerse myself in the intense, methodical world of Ready or Not, now available on PS5. This first-person shooter offers an unmatched level of tactical depth and grittiness, setting it apart from other games out there. While it might not appeal to everyone due to its slower pace, for me, it’s the raw, visceral feel that keeps me coming back for more. So, if you’re up for a challenging co-op experience with a darker edge, this game might just be worth your time.

In Ready or Not, you assume the role of a SWAT team member within the Los Sueños Police Department. You’ll lead teams of five on diverse missions aimed at restoring order amidst turmoil. Your responsibilities may include subduing or eliminating hostile individuals, safeguarding civilians, and documenting any pertinent evidence for reporting back to headquarters – all while minimizing casualties as much as possible. Although the gameplay is fundamentally straightforward, Ready or Not adds depth with its immersive atmosphere, gritty themes, and strategic elements.

18 unique stages make up the main Ready or Not campaign, and an additional 8 stages are accessible through DLC. We were pleasantly surprised by the diversity of each stage’s feel, ranging from grimy drug hideouts to opulent mansions. Each level has a distinct ambiance that sets it apart.

One scenario involves a former intelligence agent transformed into a fervent believer in conspiracies fortifying his log cabin with hidden dangers, ensuring that even simple doors could prove fatal. The confined layout of the dwelling influences the choice of weaponry one might carry when attempting entry.

In a community college setting, the lengthy corridors often breed an underlying sense of unease. An incident involving hostages at a hotel forced us to cautiously navigate through every chamber, always keeping a watchful eye behind us.

Essentially, each level in Ready Or Not offers a unique set of difficulties that align with its hardcore gameplay style. It’s important to note that this game isn’t your typical run-and-gun action shooter. A careless shot, whether from an enemy or teammate, can lead to the character’s demise. On normal settings, a lack of caution could result in the entire squad being wiped out. The AI might not be super intelligent, but it is relentlessly aggressive and unpredictable.

In the initial stages of playing, there’s a significant learning spike as you figure out how to maneuver around the game’s intricate control system, which includes a delicate item and command wheel, or become accustomed to the six distinct methods for engaging with a door.

The steep learning curve significantly transforms the solo gaming experience into a tedious task, as you’re accompanied by four AI companions that require constant supervision. Mastering their commands can be intricate and may require some patience to fully understand.

When utilizing the basic command interface in the game, you can instruct your team to gather at a specific door, specify which side of the entrance, guide them on how to open it, and even deploy flashbangs if needed. However, during crucial opening moments, ensuring precise instructions might be challenging due to its rudimentary nature.

While playing alone can offer an engaging single-player experience, we discovered that the complex command systems didn’t provide much enjoyment in navigation. It becomes easier with practice, but it’s clear that this isn’t how Void Interactive intends for players to interact with the game.

Rather than enjoying Ready or Not solo, it shines most when you’re collaborating with a complete team of live players. Initially, we found ourselves dispersed, randomly firing our way through missions. Yet, without the option of respawning upon death, we swiftly adapted to develop strategies and coordination.

Effective communication is crucial in Ready or Not, and those playing alone who prefer not to use voice chat might miss out on some of the game’s charm. Soon, our team began executing flanking maneuvers, strategically deploying flashbangs at precise moments, and clearing rooms without any losses. Synchronizing with the game’s rhythm and honing our tactical abilities was one of the most rewarding aspects of playing Ready or Not.

While our team experienced plenty of humorous incidents involving tripwire bombs and friendly fire mishaps, the game also presents a striking contrast with somber moments that tackle serious themes such as drug abuse, sex trafficking, and pedophilia. What might seem like a grim police simulator to some, portrays these issues in a bleak and sobering manner instead.

In such situations, it’s particularly common. When gunfire erupts, there are no visual cues like hit markers or damage indicators to guide you. The act of killing enemies can be truly distressing, as they collapse against walls and cough up their own blood. Each pull of the trigger seems to ignite chaos. Regardless of how calm or strategic our team was playing, firefights frequently led to a flurry of panic-driven shots.

One aspect we greatly appreciated from a gameplay standpoint in gunfights was the intuitive aiming system integrated into the DualSense controller. By tapping L3 or R3, you could maneuver your guns left or right effortlessly. Moreover, with a partial or full press of L2, you could adjust your sights to a canted position or go for a full scope. This results in room clearing feeling both highly interactive and cinematic at times.

You’ll find a wide variety of choices for your equipment setup. The customization system is quite extensive, enabling you to modify everything from your protective ballistic face guards to the number of magazines you carry for a mission. This flexibility allows team coordination, so one member could equip a Mirrorgun for peeking through doors, while another could bring a battering ram for easy access.

We appreciate that various missions demand or prompt the use of distinct firearms such as assault rifles, SMGs, shotguns, and pistols. What’s more, the DualSense haptics provide a satisfying feeling of recoil with each weapon fired.

Experience a noticeable change in gaming sensation as you delve into Ready Or Not’s methodical gameplay, unlike fast-paced shooters. For some players, it might seem slow as molasses, but we believe it aligns perfectly with the game’s intended playstyle. However, this can pose a problem when you’re searching for that elusive final objective on the map, often leading our team to spend lengthy periods in silence, meandering around at a snail’s pace.

On your PlayStation (5 or Pro), Ready or Not delivers a strong transition from PC. Both consoles offer performance and quality mode options. The performance mode maintains a steady 60fps, while the quality mode drops to a slightly less smooth 30fps, with minimal visual difference. Characters like the perps and civilians can appear somewhat rubbery, but the environments are beautifully detailed with fine textures and realistic lighting that breathes life into each setting.

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2025-07-25 20:07