Ready or Not Review – Free Download on Steam

Ready or Not, created by VOID Interactive, offers players a unique tactical shooter experience, immersing them in the dark corners of the city of Los Suenos, plagued by crime and complex moral dilemmas. Inspired by the cult game SWAT 4, it combines challenging objectives with a deep moral system, forcing players to consider the consequences of their actions. From storming a drug clinic to taking hostages, each level reveals new aspects of the game, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and strategy.

Subscribe to the Shared Steam Accounts VP Telegram channel to play Ready or Not for free!

Ready or Not Review by VpeSports

Ready or Not is a game that makes you feel the seriousness of a tactical shooter. Inspired by the cult game SWAT 4, it left Early Access late last year and invites players to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Los Suenos, a city plagued by crime, drugs, and mental health issues.

The game deliberately presents you with difficult tasks, keeping the spirit of SWAT 4, but at the same time adapting it to modern realities. Unlike the clear concept of “good versus evil” that characterized its predecessor, Ready or Not delves into complex shades of gray, offering less clear moral dilemmas. The game’s plot does not strive for a single climax, but rather consists of many small episodes, each of which has its own meaning.

At first glance, this may seem like a drawback, but it is important to note that each mission contributes to the overall story. You might start by responding to an active shooter in a cafe, then move on to an operation in a drug den. Or, for example, you might find yourself involved in a case with a famous streamer who is found to have incriminating material. Despite the horrific events you encounter, the game touches on more complex social themes, including the intervention of armed groups made up of veterans. Ready or Not offers a unique experience, forcing you to consider the consequences of your actions in a world full of gray.

Ready or Not Modes Overview: Difficulty and Moral Choices

Ready or Not offers players four main modes. The main one is the campaign, which includes two game modes, as well as a practice mode and a multiplayer mode. The campaign, in my opinion, reveals the most interesting aspects of the game. Here you can choose to play the normal mode with saves, or test yourself in the Ironman mode, where every decision you make has consequences. If you fail to shoot first, you will, unfortunately, end up on the memorial list.

The difference between these modes and practice is that this is where Ready or Not finds its unique niche, combining horror and reality. Not only do you get hurt, but your team suffers the consequences too. Having a deep moral system means that if you lose someone or are under fire, your team will become tense and insecure. This can lead to unjustified decisions and dangerous actions in the presence of civilians, which is a big threat, especially in high-risk situations, such as an active shooter school.

The missions become especially important, as the team’s mental state depends on your success. For the first time, I felt the need to get a perfect score, because if you have evidence or suspects left, the team begins to doubt your abilities as a SWAT leader. It’s a brilliant and terrible mechanism that depends on the difficulty level of the map. Some maps resemble levels from Hitman 3, while others are more compact, like in Blood Money.

• Four main game modes for a varied experience.
• Campaign with Normal and Ironman modes for challenges.
• Practice mode for practicing skills without consequences.
• Deep morale system that affects team decisions.
• Success in missions affects the morale of the team.
• Diverse levels: from compact tasks to complex challenges.

For example, the levels “Fatal Obsession” and “Ends of the Earth” are different, but compact tasks. The first level is dedicated to a former FBI agent who turned into a conspiracy theorist and planted bombs around his cabin in the woods. The second is a simple duplex on a cliff, typical of Huntington Beach. At first glance, they are simple and focused, but the traps and civilians become real tests on the way to high achievements and clean runs.

Ready or Not Hard Levels Overview: Challenges and Features

Ready or Not also features larger, more challenging levels such as Ides Marta, Valley of the Dolls, Sins of the Father, Rust Belt, and Elephant. Each of these presents unique scenarios, from armed invalids and child criminals to the capture of a politician’s family and an illegal immigration situation, culminating in a shocking school shooting. While this may seem grim, these themes give the game a special meaning.

Going back to these larger levels, they feature multiple rooms and, in the case of Elephant, even an actual time bomb. These levels can be quite challenging, especially in Ironman mode or multiplayer. They often contain details you are not warned about or clues that need to be collected, requiring you to carefully check multiple floors without any active threats at the end.

Unlike SWAT 4, you can take the easy way out by leaving clues unaccounted for, but as I said before, this is risky in the campaign. Higher scores make your team’s job easier, and if you have the means, you can send them to a therapist for a few days to deal with the horrors they face. You don’t have that luxury, though – you’re leading your team through nightclubs with multiple victims and through caves on the border where every turn can become a threat. Firing stressed team members is a bad idea; it will only make things worse.

The missions are, in theory, designed to be replayed multiple times, though some are more challenging than others. This is where the need for multiplayer comes in. While I usually avoid games like this, I did manage to bring my friend David along for a co-op playthrough. It’s worth noting, however, that the larger levels aren’t always easy to complete with two players, and unlike the 2005 version, there are no bot support options in the current state of the game.

Gameplay – Interaction in Ready or Not

“What about public lobbies?” someone asks, but I think the experience of being insulted for playing badly outweighs blind trust in any community. Even the friendliest ones who create great mods (like in Ready or Not) have players who say “You’re not playing right.” So, with just the two of us, we played through a few levels and spent a few hours yelling at each other, and in one case, even shooting off an enemy’s hands at close range. I won’t name names, but I prefer the Heckler & Koch 416A5 or the MP5A3, just saying.

Clearing a gas station with two people is no easy task. I’ve been keeping an eye on the enemy AI since we took on the task of clearing out hellish places, and it seems we’re not the only ones who think “some shots were a little unfair.” I’ve said before that Ready or Not is supposed to be difficult because of what it depicts, and I get that. But that doesn’t stop me from looking for mods to increase armor strength and gear slots, or make the AI ​​a little less attentive.

1. Open lobbies can lead to a negative experience.
2. It is difficult to clear a gas station with two players – it requires strategy.
3. Enemy AI sometimes makes “unfair” shots.
4. Modding with MOD.io is easier than in other games.
5. Some mods are better found on Nexus for convenience.
6. Need to optimize graphics for stable operation.

We’ll get to player-made maps later, but with MOD.io built in, modding is easier than in other games. Especially when it comes to mods and multiplayer, which as I mentioned is our goal. That said, if you’re looking for something specific, I’d recommend Nexus, as the interface and overall experience could be a little better. Putting aside the fact that not all mods are available in-game, I think if you know how easy it is to mod Ready or Not with external downloads, it feels easier than dealing with MOD.io’s sometimes fiddly downloads.

In our experience, at least with David, there were some minor performance issues. I spent more time playing with different settings and options, and from low to ultra-fine graphics, there were occasional frame drops, sometimes by dozens. Mostly, it didn’t depend on the graphics settings, but on the map and what the AI ​​was doing at the time. For example, pressing T to turn on the head-mounted cameras can lower the frame rate, although the gun-wielding mirror rarely does this.

Ready or Not Trials and Triumphs

We encountered a few bugs, some of which were easy to fix, while others were more challenging. For example, when modding, all AI voices outside of the introductory briefings and stations were muted, but this was fixed by verifying the files through Steam. Another issue was a bug in the tutorial level where you have to issue the “execute” command; this can be bypassed by having your team kill you and reload the checkpoint (though there is no such option in the pause menu). Finally, there was a situation where a non-host player opened a briefing and saw a black screen on their computer – there was no solution for this.

I also had a few crashes in my experience. One occurred during the Ironman mission, when I was on the third stage of “Twisted Nerve.” The rest of the crashes were usually related to modding or loading modified maps, which is understandable since they were not specifically made for Ready or Not. Overall, with over 60 hours of playtime, bugs and crashes were a minor part of my (and I think David’s) experience.

This is a real gem, especially considering how brilliant the friendly AI is in Ready or Not’s single-player mode. There are different formations available in a five-person team: linear, double, diamond, and wedge. Each of them (team members and formations) covers the necessary angles to clear a room. I say “clear” specifically, as unlike Call of Duty, the AI ​​will follow walls and check corners. Not everything is perfect: in the “Valley of Dolls” level, there are large open windows, and they can look into a room that is already considered “clear” before turning to the windows.

Often, they need to get shot at to realize there might be danger behind them, rather than realizing that the large windows are a problem. It may seem strange to point this out as a “problem,” but when one shot can kill, the difference between checking corners and dying is huge. In campaigns or Ironman sessions, this can lead to a full-blown meltdown at the end of the campaign. The team’s mental health is destroyed by these “simple mistakes.”

The campaign itself is very good, if a little lost in what it wants to say or do. Many of the levels are grouped into small stories (like a season of a TV show), but their climaxes never felt significant enough. I assume that the FISA story will be wrapped up in a subsequent expansion from VOID Interactive, but for now it ends with a “turnaround” in mission 18, “Hide and Seek.” The story about illegal child images ends at a birthday party at the home of a notorious pornographer, while the Left Behind group feels too rushed, with only three main levels.

I’m not unhappy with Ready or Not. In fact, I’ve probably given more praise in the last 2,000 words than anything else. VOID Interactive’s tactical shooter is the most modern and brilliant example of what Rainbow Six and SWAT have become: an iceberg of a game that seems simple and small on the surface, but is incredibly deep underwater. Yes, you can barge into a level and shoot everyone in sight, but you’ll end up with a bunch of F’s and be unable to progress. Yes, this will negatively impact your progress in the campaign.

Tactical Depth – Feelings and Progression in Ready or Not

In terms of progression, Ready or Not lacks a sense of achievement. There are a lot of unlocks, and the game offers various cosmetic changes for your officer or team. This is often associated with free-to-play games, but there are no microtransactions in Ready or Not. Tattoos are awarded for completing levels at S rank, wrist accessories for A and above, and other items are unlocked by reaching C+ or higher. Some items are only available after completing all levels.

The catch is that you have access to all weapons, tools, and equipment from the start. On one hand, this is great, but on the other, it raises questions. For example, you get a military FAL (automatic rifle) for simply opening a door. The discussion about using such heavy weapons should be about the issue of “overpenetration” of bullets. Although you do not have the ability to precisely select ammunition, you are provided with simple FMJ or armor-piercing rounds. As a law enforcement officer, you want the bullet to hit the target, but not kill the innocent. Your job is to fight drug dealers and gangsters, storm houses, hotel rooms, offices and clubs. Rarely do you need to fight at a distance of 200-400 meters. I have played this game too long not to notice how it attracts players who do not understand how interesting Ready or Not is.

Fans of popular shooters can continue to play Call of Duty, where automatic weapons turn enemies into mincemeat. Ready or Not offers a completely different experience – more methodical, requiring thoughtfulness with each shot. For example, when the Houthis from “Neon Tomb” use a hostage as a human shield, you need to act, because the AI ​​will not. There is a huge difference between shooting the “bad guys” and responsibly eliminating the threat.

Ready or Not is a breath of fresh air from the usual “shoot until it stops”. The game focuses on when to shoot and how to set the pace. However, you can’t look at Ready or Not in isolation – it’s a long-awaited successor to SWAT 4 that’s needed and welcomed after nearly two decades. My issues are with the multiplayer – the lack of friendly AI leaves players in a tough spot, especially when faced with bomb threats, active shooters, and toxic people.

• No sense of achievement, only cosmetic unlocks.
• Access to all weapons and tools from the start.
• Bullet “overpenetration” issue when using heavy weapons.
• Methodical approach requires thoughtful actions in combat.
• Lack of friendly AI in multiplayer creates difficulties.
• The game offers a unique experience, superior to SWAT 4.

While the story of David “Judge” Beaumont and Los Suenos isn’t long, I spent over 60 hours playing through the campaigns and training, trying to perfect everything. I’ve already mentioned that I’m not particularly interested in scores and rankings, but there are a few levels in Ready or Not’s campaign that I enjoy replaying for better scores and faster times. I can’t explain exactly why, but I think it has to do with how scores and rankings affect gameplay.

Ultimately, Ready or Not could easily replace a modded SWAT 4 with a few features or the right mods. I believe the foundation VOID Interactive has created is strong enough for modding and perhaps DLC like Payday 2 to expand both the story and overall gameplay. Even with mods, Ready or Not surpasses SWAT 4 in many ways, some minor and others significant steps forward. Outside of looking for PvP multiplayer, Ready or Not is the best choice for tactical games in this space right now.

System Requirements for Ready or Not

How to Play Ready or Not for Free on VpeSports

Are you excited to dive into the tactical intensity of Ready or Not without spending a dime? You’re in the right place! VpeSports has you covered with convenient methods to access the game for free. By taking advantage of our Shared Steam service, you can find shared accounts that come with Ready or Not pre-installed, ready for action.

To embark on your tactical journey, head over to the VpeSports website and create an account. Once you’re logged in, navigate to the Shared Steam section where you’ll discover a curated list of shared accounts. Look for Ready or Not and click through to the review page. Here, you’ll find a download button that will guide you step-by-step on how to access the game. We love hearing from you, so don’t hesitate to leave a positive comment about our review! Remember, comments are moderated, so if yours doesn’t appear right away, feel free to adjust it to meet our guidelines. Once approved, our moderators will send the account details to the email you registered.

For an even quicker way to stay updated, join our Telegram channel, Shared Steam Accounts VP. By subscribing, you’ll receive timely notifications and can effortlessly secure an account to play Ready or Not for free. This is a fantastic way to keep in the loop about updates, patches, and new releases while navigating the high-stakes scenarios of the game.

If you encounter any hiccups along the way, don’t worry! A comprehensive guide is available on our website at the following link: How to Play for Free – Detailed Instructions! Gear up, strategize, and immerse yourself in the tactical world of Ready or Not!