KGK Dragon’s Reviews:
All across the world, there lies the responders to conflicts of violence and danger amidst those who break the law. “Ready or Not” takes upon the perspective of heavily armed law enforcement, specifically the brave operators of “Special Weapons And Tactics,” more commonly referred to as “S.W.A.T.” Dust off your boots, load up your gear, and join us for a look into this 2021 release by VOID Interactive.
Missions and Environment
Ready or Not holds a total of 18 missions from the base game, including 3 more within the “Home Invasion” DLC. Playing through the game to its completion, players can expect an extensive 15 hours worth of content, but for the players going above and beyond, they can be expected to face over a whopping 50 hours just to achieve everything the game has to offer. Along, the players are granted all the gear they need before taking on each mission and objective, but it should be noted that cosmetics are a different case as they require some parameters to be met before they are unlocked. With a plethora of weapons, tools, and gear to choose from, there are a plethora of ways to take on the mission of the player’s choosing.
From nightclubs, ports, and hospitals, players can expect to run into trouble in a multitude of different locations. With stressful and uncomfortable situations, there are even more dark and sinister things the players can uncover during their run-through of the game. Do note, Ready or Not is not for the faint of heart and definitely a mature game by its nature
Gameplay
In correlation to the heavy and vast amounts of gear operators within SWAT must carry to and during missions, the player speed is considerably slower than most FPS games, but on par with most tactical shooters of its kind. Players may note that the common “sprint” mechanic seen in most games does not exist and instead are allowed a “low-ready” stance. While it may not be a sprint mechanic, it does allow the player to move fractionally faster while the “low-ready” stance is active. While the feeling of the player being a fair balance of clunky to keep players from rushing to their deaths, but fast enough to maintain a good pace when doing CQB or manoeuvring through fields of fire. Not to mention the realistic gunplay when engaged in a firefight as accuracy immediately drops when being shot at, especially when hit regardless if hit in the arm or plate carrier.
The game carries on even further than just its relative realism with movements, but rather, the abilities and tactics players are capable of performing. Dropping a chemlight to mark a cleared room, pick locks, using night vision, and various non-lethal methods, there are almost limitless ways to approach high-level situations across Ready or Not’s missions list. Solo players don’t have to worry about playing alone as they are allowed the choice of being accompanied by AI on missions. These AI follow directions and orders, capable of breaching with the use of flashbangs and stinger grenades, clearing a room, securing evidence, and going as far as to secure suspects, hostages, and civilians.
Visuals, Graphics, & Immersion
Ready or Not runs off of the highly regarded and desired “Unreal Engine 5” after having had a run-time of over two years with the “Unreal Engine 4.” The graphics are clean, sporting almost photo-realistic environmental lighting while utilising ray-tracing to add an even further depth to the game’s already dark and tense atmosphere. The weapons, gear, and selective kits within the game’s customization menus push an even further depth to how players tackle situations on a tactical level.
Within the loadout selection menus, players are allowed multiple options of different armours such as kevlar, steel, and ceramic, different vests such as stab-proof, light plate carrier, or full kit complete with a plate and soft armour attachments. Players are also granted the choices of whether or not they decide how much ammo, how many flashbangs, cs gas canisters, stinger grenades, and even what other pieces of kit they wish to bring such as lockpicks, tasers, or pepper spray. Such options affect a player’s movement speed, survivability rate, and how many pieces of equipment they’re able to take on missions.
Mods
Surprisingly enough, Ready or Not offers mod support from the approved and linked Modio modding site. These mods include more weapons, custom maps, tweaks to AI to make them more in number or more unpredictable in nature. There are even mods that add a bodycam filter to the game to add a deeper aspect to realism. But, with inclusion to mods that improve or increase the gameplay of Ready or Not, there are also mods that can reside more with morale by the addition of anime skins or even the complete inclusion of weapons, armour, or cosmetics from other pop-culture video games and media.
Summary
Ready or Not is truly one of the best tactical FPS games on the market today. With realistic gunplay, tactics, weapon systems, and equipment management, the game stands as a true title for the mature and tactical gamers. With 15 to 50 plus hours of game completion, there are almost limitless hours of gameplay, especially when playing with friends or experienced players. As mentioned before, Ready or Not stands as a game that is not for the faint of heart or younger audiences as the game is rated R and for good reason. Nonetheless, as a tactical FPS, Ready or Not stands as a valid title with its depictions of real world conflicts on the domestic level.
Pros
● AI teammates are effective when playing solo
● All weapons and equipment are available to the player from the beginning of the game
● Mod support from Modio
● Immersive environment, atmosphere, and gear
Cons
● Controversial depictions of drugs
● Controversial depictions of nudity
● Controversial depictions of violence towards minors
● Controversial depictions of human trafficking
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