If you grew up Rainbow Six-ing like I did, you already know that consoles are no stranger to intense tactical shooters. (Us controller folk are still up to Tango Down, even if our heads aren’t on a mouse-speed swivel.) My fellow veterans should still heed this sit-rep, however: few FPSes are as unflinchingly methodical, nerve-shreddingly tense, and thoroughly unforgiving as Ready or Not.
After years of development and a long stint in Early Access on PC, VOID Interactive’s tactical SWAT shooter has finally flanked its way to your TV. It is a deeply immersive, gritty experience that respects your intelligence and demands patience, precision, and teamwork. That is, if you can stomach the stress (and some of its sketchier environmental storytelling).
Having spent over a week embedded in LAN-style co-op on PS5, I can confidently say that Ready or Not survives the transition from PC to console with much of its DNA intact. However, there are a few chinks in its kevlar worth pointing out. And some pretty decent bugs are in need of SWATing, too.
Tactical Fundamentals Remain Rock Solid
At its core, Ready or Not is a tactical, first-person shooter laser-dot-focused on realism, restraint, RoE, and tension over explosive theatrics. You play as a SWAT team leader tasked with resolving dangerous situations, from hostage rescues, crackhead shenanigans and bomb threats to serving high-risk warrants and responding to mass shootings. Each mission is grounded in a grim sense of plausibility, and the game’s procedural nature ensures every run feels unpredictable.
The experience is shaped by careful planning and precise execution. You issue commands to AI teammates, utilize a variety of tools (mirrors, flashbangs, wedges), and move through buildings with deliberation. Civilians panic, suspects bluff surrender, and every doorway feels like it could be your last. This isn’t a power fantasy. It’s a pressure cooker.
The console version captures this with surprising fidelity. The overall flow of a mission, the tension of breaching a room, and the sense of consequence when things go sideways all remain present. It’s a slower, more cerebral kind of shooter, and it remains unapologetically so on PS5.
Functional but Befuddling Controls
The biggest question hanging over Ready or Not’s console release is how well its PC-centric controls translate to a gamepad. On PS5, the answer is… myeh, well enough. Compromises and clunk exist.
The multi-page command wheel used to direct your squad is functional but complex and fiddly. Mapping a game originally designed around keyboard inputs to a DualSense controller was never going to be seamless, though. While issuing basic orders is relatively painless, more nuanced commands often require multiple inputs and memorisation. In the heat of a mission, this will invariably earn your widow a ham.
Which will be quite a shame, Kowalski, because you had one day left until retirement and you just bought a boat called The Live Forever.
Anyway, movement is molasses paced (which is a speed-limiting blessing in disguise) and gunplay feels mostly solid. Aiming is snappy, and the game benefits from the PS5’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. Breaching a door with a shottie never fails to put a smile on one’s dial. The training mission is thorough and 100% necessary. Anybody going into this with a pick-up-and-play attitude has a date with a bodybag and a very long wait watching their team mates continue the mission for 30-40 minutes..
For those coming from the PC version, the drop in flexibility will be felt. For console-first players, the setup is serviceable once muscle memory kicks in.
AI Partners, Enemies, and Frenemies
Ready or Not is a game best experienced in co-op with human teammates. That said, its AI is competent enough for solo play, but not without its clipping-through-walls quirks. Your cohorts generally obey orders and can clear rooms effectively, but sometimes hesitate or get hung up on doorways. Enemy AI is way more dynamic; suspects will faux-surrender, retreat across vast distances, open fire unpredictably, or just whinge in their handcuffs to make you think cleared rooms are hot again. This keeps tension high but can also lead to frustration when they behave erratically.
Civvies, too, are a wildcard. They might freeze, run, or do something with all the self-preservation instincts of an idiotic hostage in Time Crisis. Obviously, this is part of the intended difficulty (a lethal game of Guess Who in the semi-darkness while under pressure) but it can also lead to moments that feel unfair rather than immersive.
The good news is that the PS5 version behaves similarly to the PC version here. AI hasn’t been notably downgraded, which means console players get the full Ready or Not experience, warts and all. You should be fine if you remember to walk around everywhere mashing X to “Threaten Everybody With Modern Day Policing”.
Respectable Visuals and Performance
Ready or Not won’t win any beauty contests, but it’s a visually cohesive game with strong atmosphere that’s rooted in dank urban awfulness. Environments are detailed enough to feel believable, lighting is often moody and oppressive, and the character models look suitably tactical. On PS5, the game runs at a mostly stable 60 frames per second with occasional dips in more complex scenes.
Load times are fast, and there’s minimal texture pop-in. However, there are still visual bugs and animation jank here and there. Suspects might glitch through doors or get stuck mid-animation. It’s not constant, but it’s noticeable enough to slightly undercut the immersion. The non-gamey approach (think: no objective markers or other HUD hints) can make for long, frustrating games of hide and seek with key pick ups or NPCs on the lam.
Despite these issues, the overall presentation holds up. The visual storytelling in each map (from stomach-churning sex offender emporiums to dingy nightclubs) does a lot of heavy lifting. I’ve heard fans complaining about content being cut or lessened to make the R18+ rating. What was allowed to make it in feels mighty dicey/gritty to me.
Content With Impressive Depth
One of Ready or Not’s biggest strengths is the sheer variety of missions and equipment. The game offers over a dozen distinct maps, each with multiple variations and objectives. Some missions emphasize stealth, others are all-out assaults. The map designs are often like a carnival fair spookhouse. Think: blind corners that hide stabby sociopaths and bugger all sightlines that reward methodical angle checking.
The arsenal is equally diverse. From pistols and assault rifles to less-lethal options like tasers and bean bag shotguns, you can kit out your team in a way that suits your approach. Every piece of gear feels purposeful.
The rules of engagement also matter. You’re rewarded for arrests, not kills, and penalised for shooting too quickly. This turns every suspect encounter into a high-stakes standoff where reaction time and judgement are crucial. It’s not just about winning. It’s about doing the job right. This appeals to my meticulous nature.
Audio Design Highlights
Audio is one of Ready or Not’s greatest assets. The sound design is masterfully done. From the echo of gunfire in a narrow hallway to the muffled sobs of a hostage in the next room, everything is designed to raise your pulse. You’ll hear doors creak, glass break, and radios crackle. Every noise is a clue and Pulse 3D headphone owners like myself will reap the rewards.
Voice work is solid too. Suspects yell, plead, and bluff in convincing ways. Your squad sounds professional and urgent. The ambient soundscapes change depending on the environment, adding to the tension. Audio is crucial in a tactical game like this, and VOID Interactive nailed it.
The Co-op Difference
While Ready or Not is playable solo, its true potential is unlocked in co-op. Playing with a squad of friends, communicating clearly, and executing plans with precision is a rush unlike anything else on console right now. There’s an addictive rhythm /loop to clearing a building with a good team. Stacking up, checking corners, calling out suspects just feels incredibly satisfying (when not screwed up).
Matchmaking is reasonably quick, though lobbies can be hit-or-miss in terms of player quality. Playing with randoms introduces chaos, but even that has its charm. The PS5 voice chat integration works well, and there’s minimal lag in most matches.
If you have a group of friends willing to take the game seriously, Ready or Not becomes something special. On PS5, Ready or Not includes some DualSense features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. These add a tactile feel to shooting and interacting with the environment. However, there’s little else in terms of console-exclusive enhancements.
There’s no integration with PS5’s Activity Cards or advanced accessibility options. It’s clear that this is a straight port rather than a ground-up console version. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but those hoping for a more tailored experience might be disappointed.
Rough Edges and Remaining Issues
Despite its many strengths, Ready or Not isn’t without flaws. Bugs still crop up, even on PS5. Doors might not open correctly, suspects can behave erratically, and some visual oddities persist. The UI, while functional, isn’t optimised for a controller and can be cumbersome to navigate.
There’s also a steep learning curve. The game doesn’t hold your hand. There’s no generous tutorial, and figuring out optimal tactics can be trial by fire. Some players will love this. Others might bounce off it.
And while the realism is commendable, it also limits the game’s appeal. This is a serious, often brutal experience. If you’re looking for a run-and-gun shooter, this isn’t it. On the whole, though, Ready or Not on PS5 is an uncommon and edge-of-your-seat tactical shooter. It demands more from you than most shooters on console. It wants you to slow down, think clearly, and act with precision. For players willing to invest the time and energy, the payoff is immense.
VOID Interactive has delivered a port that largely retains the strengths of the PC version, even if it doesn’t fully smooth over the rough edges. With further updates and polish, it has the potential to become a staple of tactical gaming on console.
As it stands, Ready or Not is already something worth experiencing. Just be prepared to play by its rules or be ready to die.
This review was made possible by a no strings attached code provided by FiveStar Games AU
