Ready or Not (VOID Interactive) – In-Depth Review: Tactical SWAT Thriller

🎮 Ready or Not – VOID Interactive Game Review

Ready or Not is a gritty, tactical first‑person shooter by VOID Interactive. Originally released on Windows, it officially launched on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in July 2025 . Let’s dive into what makes it great—and where it struggles.



1. Realism & Atmosphere

The game puts players in charge of a SWAT team in Los Sueños City. The sound design, weapon handling, and mission tension are top‑notch. Every breach feels heavy, and the quiet before engagement can be suspenseful as hell. The environments—apartments, warehouses, even yachts—are detailed and varied.


2. Gunplay & Gear

  • Authentic controls: Firearms feel realistic with solid recoil, reloading delays, and throwable gadgets.

  • Loadout depth: Choose from rifles, pistols, grenades, breaching charges, tasers—plenty of tactical options .


3. Mission Variety & Modes

  • Solo “Commander Mode”: Lead AI teammates in tense scenarios. Unfortunately, AI is inconsistent—sometimes solid, sometimes hilariously broken.

  • Co‑op multiplayer: This is the star—it’s best experienced with friends. Tactically communicating and clearing rooms together is extremely satisfying.

  • Practice Mode: Offers a range of scenarios from hostage rescues to bomb threats. High replay value.


4. AI & Technical

  • Enemy AI: Can be unpredictable—sometimes acute, sometimes oblivious, with weird behaviors like wall‑peeking.

  • Friendly AI: Squadmates sometimes pathfind poorly or stand dumb in rooms.

  • Bugs & performance: Game has received steady patches. Still, crashes and glitches surface occasionally, though engine upgrades to Unreal 5 improved stability.


5. Post‑Launch Support & DLCs

VOID has stayed busy:

  • Home Invasion (July 2024): New maps set in hurricane‑hit homes.

  • Dark Waters (Dec 2024): Missions on a yacht, oil rig, island resort.

  • Free updates: Ongoing refinements, more weapons, improved UI.

  • Community mods: PC players have crafted new maps, tools, and restored censored content.


6. Console Launch & Controversy

Ahead of its console release, VOID toned down gore, dismemberment, nudity, and violence to meet Sony/Microsoft rules. This led to review‑bombing on Steam, with some calling it “censorship” . However, sales climbed and player count doubled during a Steam sale. VOID responded by confirming tweaks were minimal and reversible via mods .


7. Pros & Cons Summary

👍 Pros👎 Cons
Realistic, absorbing gunplay GazettelySolo play suffers from weak AI
Deep loadout & planning toolsGlitches and crashes still occur
Best in co‑op modeThematic shifts and maps can feel inconsistent
Strong post‑launch supportConsole‑driven censorship upset fans
Active modding community allows customizationMod reliance may not appeal to all


8. Should You Play It?

Yes, if:

  • You love tense, tactical SWAT-style gameplay.

  • You play with friends (online co‑op is outstanding).

  • You enjoy customizing gear and planning missions.

Maybe wait, if:

  • You prefer a tight, solo-driven experience.

  • You’re sensitive to bugs or expect pristine optimization.

  • You dislike changes from original PC content.


Final Verdict

Score: 8/10
Ready or Not delivers gripping tactical action—especially in multiplayer. It’s a bold spiritual successor to classic SWAT games, deeply immersive and tense. Its shaky AI and occasional bugs hold it back from perfection, and the console content changes may disappoint purists.

Still, with ongoing updates, rich DLC, and a modding scene, VOID Interactive delivers a SWAT simulator you won’t forget. With friends, it’s an absolute blast; solo, it’s growing—just be ready for a rough edge here and there.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Mastering 2D Character Design for Games: Techniques, Tools & Trends in 2025

TCS Introduces New Bench Policy: 35-Day Cap on Idle Time, Focus on Accountability and Upskilling

Fortnite Fans Banned for Life and Forced to Apologize Publicly: What Really Happened?