Ready Or Not: The Kotaku Review

Key Points:

• Ready or Not is a tactical shooter where players lead a SWAT team through intense, realistic scenarios inspired by real-life tragedies, aiming to immerse players in the physical and psychological challenges faced by officers.
• The game emphasizes non-lethal resolution for the best mission ratings but realistically portrays the chaos and danger of volatile situations, reflecting the militarization of police forces rooted in historical events like the 1965 Watts riots.
• Developer VOID Interactive incorporates diverse and politically charged scenarios, balancing perspectives to engage players with complex social issues such as drug cartels, cults, and marginalized communities, while invoking a fantasy of intervention in mass shootings.
• Ready or Not fits into the "persuasive games" category by seeking to convey the emotional weight and difficult decisions of law enforcement, encouraging players to empathize with officers despite the controversial and often troubling worldview it presents.
• The game’s raw and visceral storytelling contrasts with earlier "empathy games," delivering a stark, sometimes uncomfortable experience that challenges players' perceptions of policing and violence in America.