Last Updated on Jul 15, 2025 @ 13:19:09 PM.
Since its full release in December 2023, fans of shooting sims have been asking when Ready or Not will be making an appearance on consoles. Thankfully, that question is answered, and the wait is (almost) over, but now the topic has changed to whether Ready or Not can do what many have failed to do in the genre – and that’s make the leap to consoles well. Thankfully, after some serious playtime with it, I’m glad to say that it seems to have mastered almost everything you’d need, whilst still retaining its core experience.
For those few people unaware, Ready or Not is developed by VOID Interactive, an Irish-based studio comprised of a smaller team, which makes the work they’ve done all the more impressive. It’s important to note, to avoid any disappointment, Ready or Not is not an arcade shooter, and it doesn’t try to be. Its gameplay loop is slow, focused more on saving instead of spraying, handcuffing instead of jump shots and ‘360 no scopes’, and truthfully, it’s better for it.
The game boasts a range of missions, from small convenience store hold-ups to community college shootings, to communal cult compounds with unnerving effigies and themes. Not every level lands, and the aforementioned community college shooting level understandably pulls a lot of punches that can break immersion (there’s a distinctly hollow feeling to the level), but for each of those, there’s one that will have you on the edge of your seat, nervous, adrenaline-pumping and with an itchy trigger finger.
No matter the size and immersion of the level, there is a constant throughout Ready or Not. Choice. Upon selecting a mission to undertake, you’re given a briefing that includes a handy voice note from your commanding officer explaining the situation, a map of the area that allows you to plan your entry and exit, pictures of known suspects and civilians, and more, all with the idea of giving you as much creative control of the situation as possible.
Whether you’re playing this with friends (suggested) or the AI-controlled teammates (more on those later), you’re going to need to pay attention to these briefings, as once again, this isn’t an arcade shooter. Knowing your targets, who to save, who to shoot, and who to scream orders at beforehand can make the split-second difference between getting out alive and getting a great score for you and the team, or ending up on the floor, holes abound, and blood creeping out across the dingy hallway floor of a local crack den. All because you didn’t see the suspect list. Ready or Not doesn’t take prisoners, but it does give you all the tools needed to succeed, so don’t ignore them.
Talking of tools, the AI in the game is a mixed bag. For every life-saving action from your teammates is a dreadfully dumb moment that’ll break your immersion. Watching my teammates ‘stack up and split’ on either side of a door, ready to breach, was fun, but then watching them run into the door and get stuck sometimes wasn’t so much… same as the enemy AI walking out into the open to shoot me and my teammates. Thankfully, that only happened a couple of times. Much more prevalent was the infuriating civilian AI that ultimately caused more problems than it solved, and not in the name of realism either… unless a civilian walking around a map mid-shoot-out is realistic.
Beyond just the AI, playing without friends hampers the experience because the depth of commands you can give to your teammates doesn’t necessarily translate to a controller very well, especially in a split-second moment. That’s not VOID Interactive’s fault, though, as the only alternative would be limiting the commands available, and considering it’s one of the mechanics that allows so much freedom, it would hurt the game.
I’ve spent a fair amount of this review seemingly dragging Ready or Not, and certainly for good reason where the AI is concerned, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the absolute top drawer gunplay in the game. I’ve said countless times, this isn’t an arcade shooter. The guns you choose in your loadout absolutely will affect the way you approach missions. There’s no running and shotgunning here. For the majority of my time playing, I’ve sported a simple assault rifle (there’s a few to choose from) and pistol load out, both with silencers, both with laser dots, and consequently felt like a badass roaming around the maps trying to silently apprehend (or kill) every suspect before all hell broke loose. Coordinating with my teammates meant this was possible on more than one occasion, but the times it wasn’t? Well that’s when I got a real appreciation of the gunplay VOID has crafted here.
Gone is any quick switching of less realistic shooters, there’s no ammo counts or infinite mags, no picking up ammo randomly around the level, and no map will immerse you until you’re clearing and sweeping your own living room after turning the console off. The little details are all there, and to bring it back full circle, those small details include some that other developers would have shied away from, due to their hard-hitting nature – you’ll know when you see them.
Ready or Not continues to be a great experience for military sim enthusiasts, and if/when VOID can figure out a better, more natural, and intelligent AI for both the suspects and civilians, it’ll be one of the best on the market. As it stands, the PC shooter has made a great debut on consoles, and with all the DLC available already, there are countless missions, weapons, and scenarios to test your mettle.
I’ll certainly continue to stack up on a doorway and breach it with my teammates, whether they’re ready or not.
Ready or Not
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 confrontational situations.
Summary
Ready or Not has some truly cinematic moments, all with a realistic tone. The firefights feel urgent and truly life-or-death every single time. The variety of situations and levels, alongside the replayability thanks to the freedom of choice, will keep you coming back and trying to do better, for you, your team, and those you save (or don’t).
HOURS PLAYED: 24
PLAYED ON: PS5
- Ready or Not doesn't shy away from the true aspects of the deathly situations arcade shooters have made fun of.
- I've not played a shooter that betters the 'feel' and uniqueness of each gun on offer here.
- You'll grow attached to your teammates and want to protect them, ultimately forcing you to consider every option, doorway and distant gunshot as a threat.
- The AI is a real downside, both of enemies and civilians.
- The audio of the civilians and enemies will grow old really quickly, with seemingly only a handful of recorded lines to choose from.
Ready or Not is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.
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Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
