The video game Ready or Not is a first-person shooter that places the player into the role of a police SWAT officer in the fictional American city of Los Sueños. Developed by VOID Interactive, the game had its final, stable release on December 13, 2023, and was released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on July 15, 2025.
Unlike most shooters that focus on high-speed action, this game is built on a foundation of realism, tactical planning, and strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement (ROE). It is a simulation where a single, careless action can mean mission failure, a dead teammate, or the unauthorized killing of a civilian.
The entire experience requires you to slow down and prioritize taking control of a situation without using lethal force, which is necessary as the game is set during a violent crime wave in Los Sueños.
Game Overview and Premise
The setting for Ready or Not involves a police tactical unit within the Los Sueños Police Department (LSPD) responding to severe crises, such as robberies, mass shootings, drug busts, and human trafficking operations. The game was developed and published by VOID Interactive and is available for Microsoft Windows, and was ported to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2025. The game is designed primarily for Multiplayer Co-op, where a team of up to five human players works together to clear objectives. A Single-player mode is also available, where the player acts as the team leader for four computer-controlled teammates, issuing commands throughout the mission.
| Key Information | Details |
| Name | Ready or Not |
| Developer | VOID Interactive |
| Full Release | December 13, 2023 |
| Engine | Unreal Engine |
| Modes | Single-player (with AI team), 5-Player Co-op |
| Genres | Tactical Shooter, Law Enforcement Simulation |
Gameplay
The core of playing Ready or Not successfully is understanding that the objective is not to shoot every criminal as quickly as possible. You are playing as law enforcement, and your success is measured by how well you secure the scene, save civilians, and use non-lethal methods to take suspects alive.
When you begin a mission, you take on the role of the Element Leader (Commander David “Judge” Beaumont in the single-player campaign). The environment is dangerous because, due to the game’s realistic damage model, both you and any suspect can be incapacitated in one or two shots. Therefore, moving carefully and methodically is necessary for survival.
During my first few missions, I realized just how tense it gets – even walking down a hallway too quickly can set off alarms and put civilians at risk
To score the highest grade (S) on a mission, all suspects and civilians must be detained alive, which is only possible by consistently using less-lethal equipment. If you fire a weapon and kill a suspect who was trying to surrender, you will receive a large score penalty. If you accidentally injure or kill a civilian, the mission immediately ends in failure. You earn high points by first calling out to suspects and ordering them to surrender. If they comply, you then move in to secure them with handcuffs.
Suspects can fake their deaths or pretend to surrender before pulling out a weapon, requiring constant vigilance. Only if a suspect actively attempts to fire a weapon or poses an imminent threat to life are you authorized to use lethal force. This constant need to evaluate and de-escalate is what makes the game challenging and unique.
In one mission, a suspect pretended to surrender but suddenly reached for a weapon – it kept me constantly on edge and made the arrests feel genuinely tense.
Weapons, Gear, and Non-Lethal Tools
You have access to a range of standard police weapons, including rifles, shotguns, and handguns, which can be modified with attachments like sights and lights. However, an experienced player learns that the most valuable gear is the less-lethal equipment.
Because the game rewards compliance and penalizes lethal force, you often start missions equipped with non-lethal options. These include the Taser, pepper spray, and shotguns loaded with beanbag rounds. These tools are used to subdue a dangerous person without ending their life. For example, a Taser is the ideal choice for a suspect who refuses to drop their weapon but is currently standing still. You use these tools to create an opening, subdue the suspect, and complete the arrest. The main challenge is carrying a lethal weapon for self-defense while mentally prioritizing a less-lethal approach for most of the encounter.
Additionally, tools like the ballistic shield and various grenades (flashbangs, stingers) are essential for safely entering rooms and controlling the line of sight against unknown threats.
I found myself reaching for the Taser or beanbag shotgun more often than my rifle – it forces you to think about restraint rather than just firepower.
Modes of Play and Ongoing Content
Ready or Not is mainly played in one of five cooperative mission types, but since the 1.0 release, it also features a comprehensive single-player mode.
Mission Types (Available in Co-op and Solo):
- Barricaded Suspects: The standard police response where suspects have secured themselves inside a location. The focus is balanced between threat neutralization and securing evidence and hostages.
- Hostage Rescue: The most demanding mode, where hostages are often threatened directly. Players must move silently and quickly, as loud movement can result in the criminals executing the hostages.
- Active Shooter: A high-speed response where the immediate priority is to stop the shooter and save any remaining civilians, overriding the slow, evidence-gathering protocol.
- Raid: This mode focuses heavily on neutralizing a hostile group, often used when police know they are facing an organized, armed resistance.
- Bomb Threat: Teams must find and disarm explosive devices within a time limit while clearing the area of suspects.
In one Hostage Rescue mission, a teammate accidentally fired too early, and we had to restart – it really shows how careful you have to be with every sound and movement.
Single-Player Modes: The game includes several modes for solo play. Commander Mode is the official single-player story campaign where the player manages the mental health and well-being of their AI teammates, who can develop traits or resign if stressed. Ironman Mode is similar to Commander but features permadeath, resetting progress upon the player’s death. Quick Play allows players to jump directly into missions without the team management layer.
2024–2025 Content Updates and DLC
VOID Interactive has continued to provide support for the game since the 1.0 launch. The game was upgraded to Unreal Engine 5 with the release of the first paid DLC, Home Invasion (July 23, 2024), which added three new missions (Dorms, Narcos, Lawmaker) and new weapons. The second paid DLC, Dark Waters (December 10, 2024), focused on marine-themed maps like a yacht and an oil rig, introducing new mechanics like an aerial thermal camera. The Los Sueños Stories update (released on July 15, 2025) coincided with the console release, adding a difficulty system, a career record, and new missions like Hunger Strike and Stolen Valor.
You can view the official VOID Interactive patch notes here, which provide full changelogs and developer insights.
System Requirements and Safety
Ready or Not is designed for a mature audience due to its realistic and often graphic depiction of violence and high-stress situations. It is not suitable for children and carries a mature rating.
To run the game smoothly, especially when playing the demanding multiplayer co-op sessions, having more than the minimum memory is highly recommended.
| Particulars | Minimum | Recommended |
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 4430 | Intel Core i5-7600k or equivalent |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 2GB | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or equivalent |
| Storage | 50 GB available space | 50 GB available space (SSD is best) |
FAQ – Ready or Not
Q1. Can I play Ready or Not solo or only with friends?
You can play both ways. The game features single-player modes like Commander Mode and Ironman Mode, where you lead AI teammates, and 5-player Co-op, allowing you to team up with friends online for tactical missions.
Q2. Is Ready or Not suitable for kids?
No. The game is designed for mature audiences (18+) due to realistic depictions of violence, hostage situations, and high-stress law enforcement scenarios.
Q3. Do I need high-end hardware to play the game?
Not necessarily, but smoother gameplay requires above-minimum specs. Recommended: 16 GB RAM, Intel Core i5-7600k, and GTX 1060 or equivalent. SSD storage is preferred for faster load times.
Q4. Are there ongoing updates or DLCs for Ready or Not?
Yes. VOID Interactive actively supports the game with DLCs like Home Invasion and Dark Waters, plus updates such as Los Sueños Stories, adding new missions, difficulty settings, and career records. You can check the official patch notes here.
