The world of first-person shooters is an interesting one, and it’s about to grow on thePlayStation 5this summer. For those looking for an alternative to the de-facto guns-blazing, blockbuster approach of other"grounded" shooters likeCall 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 Nottouts 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 Notcertainly doesn’t market itself for the faint of heart, and its quasi-simulation presentation may remind some of the likes ofSix Days in Fallujah, a recreation of one of the most intense US military operations in Iraq. WhileReady or Notisn’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,PS5players will get a chance to delve into this no-holds-barred world themselves.
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 inReady 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 asDarkest Dungeon,Ready or Notfeatures 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 Nottransplants 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 Notis 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 Notis 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 Notmay 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 betweenReady or Notand the likes ofCall of Duty, and it’s clear to see what the former can offer that the latter lacks.
For one thing,Ready or Notis far from a crowd-pleasing title—not everyone is going to like its highly tactical, strategy-laden gameplay. This is a stark contrast fromCODorBattlefield, which both attempt to cast the widest net possible. Moreover,Ready or Nottakes steps to avoid glorifying or trivializing violent military operations, which is something that both the aforementioned franchises, as well as other IP likeMedal of Honor, have been criticized for in the past. No,Ready or Notisn’t a bombastic blockbuster experiencefilled 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.
