Maybe you, like me, are a little gun-shy before buying or trying a new game? What if it sucks? What if I just spent a bunch of money on a game with no upside? No reason to play it after the first evening?

I get it. I have had “Game Buyers PTSD” ever since Electronic Arts (EA) released the game “Anthem.” I had such high hopes for that game, only to have them dashed by a lack of content and support from the developer. So, unfortunately, I tend to go into the testing of every game with the “Does it suck as badly as Anthem?” thought in my head. I am happy to report that “Ready or Not” does not suck, but some things need attention. If changes are made, then the game could be even more entertaining and have a long run with DLC and other content. 

But before we get into what needs to be fixed, here is the official trailer from Void Interactive for you to enjoy –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQs8ezmT2QA

Let’s talk about the good stuff 

“Ready or Not” is not a bad game, and there are some powerful points to focus on. These things give me hope for the future of the game, and that we have the basis for a fantastic game. 

• Graphics: This game is really well done graphically. It’s clear that thought and intention went into every single level and that someone cared deeply about your experience in the game. All the scenes are detailed, and even the small things in the background are easily identifiable and make sense. That is particularly important in a game like this, where you have to be certain about your character’s surroundings and what is going on. 

• Storyline: The story is basic, but solid. You play the head, Captain, of a SWAT team in a fictional California town called Los Suenos, most likely to mimic modern-day Los Angeles. Los Suenos has gone through an economic decline, and your SWAT team is there to help clean up the riffraff and troublemakers found on the streets. Each mission takes you through a different scenario with unique challenges and real consequences for either you or your squad. One little note that I liked is that the SWAT team that you have in place aren’t just basic NPCs. They are replaced from time to time when they are stressed out from the mission or retire. It’s just a nice touch showing the humanity of characters. 

Let’s talk about the not-so-good stuff 

Rarely is there a perfect game where nothing needs to be changed or adapted for its audiences. That’s the whole point of hotfixes and updates. Rarely does a game come out perfectly and is without need of hotfixes or updates to adjust anything. 

So it’s not really a surprise that there are some things about this game that need some changes. If these were to be addressed, it would help the gameplay considerably and remove some of the frustration that you may experience in the gameplay. 

• Mechanics: There are unnecessary limitations on how fast your character can run/walk. With your gun in the ready position, you walk very slowly and methodically, which would be important for combat situations. When your gun is in the down position, you walk somewhat faster, but it’s not even a jog. This increases your exposure when moving from cover to cover, trying to keep you, your team, and any hostages alive.

Speaking of cover, this REALLY needs to be addressed. I am going to compare this to Tom Clancy’s The Division and its sequel. Those games allow your character to purposefully duck in and out of cover to protect themselves and to peek around corners or above cover for sniper fire. Ready or Not fails in this regard.

Cover is there, but it’s difficult to work around, and to even get in and out of, more than likely exposing you or your team to bullet fire and taking unnecessary damage, perhaps resulting in the death of your squad or yourself. Other reviewers may have had a different experience, but I came to this game straight from some missions on Division 2. It was disappointing not to have similar abilities to gain cover and protection. 

Control of your NPC teammates in the battle situations also REALLY needs to be addressed. I can see what the developers were going for, but the button command combos are confusing and hard to execute at times. This is particularly problematic in the midst of a combat situation or when attempting to infiltrate a building. It’s an easy fix, and I think that other gamers will feel the same way I did. 

The Wrap Up 

When it comes down to the brass tacks, the nuts and bolts, the whole kit and kaboodle, it’s a decent game that needs a little work. If those things are addressed, it has real potential. DLC content can be ripped from newspaper headlines and converted into playable stories. There are numerous things the developer, Void Interactive, can do with this game moving forward.

But for that to happen, for this game not to be the next Anthem, a game filled with promise and underdeliver, Void Interactive has to be willing to address the issues. 

• Fix the mechanics and gameplay. 
• Provide cover opportunities 
• Make your NPCs easier to control

I want to like this game more than I do. The frustration I experienced while playing and taking unnecessary risks, which damaged my character, are things that could have been avoided. 

As of now, I rate the game 7/10 CouchSoup cans, and that score could easily increase. I see the potential, and I appreciate the genuine feel of the game. It’s very easy to lose time in this game, and after a short bit, the frustrations of the mechanics, cover, and NPC control kind of fade away as you find workarounds. But that’s the thing. I don’t want to have to find a workaround. I just want it to work. 

Also, for the sake of openness and clarity, I didn’t play the open player mode when Void hosted their multiplayer event. I tried, but there were only five people in the lobby when I could play, and they had a squad of four already.  

So … should you buy the game? Yes. I would take the gamble and give it a try. You may have a different experience from mine, and you may enjoy it more. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. Be sure to tell me in the comments below if I missed something, or even if you think I’m all wrong.