“Prepared or not…” — that iconic hook from The Fugees instantly popped into my head the second I put in Prepared or Not. I couldn’t assist buzzing it as I equipped, as a result of the phrase matches this recreation to a tee: you by no means actually really feel ready for what’s ready behind that subsequent door. Whether or not it’s a frantic hostage standoff, a booby-trapped hallway, or an eerily quiet home that makes your pores and skin crawl, Prepared or Not retains you on edge, daring you to step ahead — prepared or not.
At a Look
Developer / Writer: VOID Interactive (Eire)
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Platforms: Home windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Collection X|S
Launch Timeline: Early Entry (PC) – Dec 17, 2021; 1.0 (PC) – Dec 13, 2023; Console – Jul 15, 2025
DLC: Dwelling Invasion (Jul 23, 2024); Darkish Waters (Dec 10, 2024)
Welcome to Los Sueños
Prepared or Not drops you into the gritty, nerve-wracking world of SWAT operations within the fictional metropolis of Los Sueños. Developed by VOID Interactive, this tactical FPS first hit Early Entry in December 2021, however its full 1.0 launch arrived in late 2023 on PC, adopted by PS5 and Xbox Collection X|S in 2025. From the beginning, the sport makes it clear: this isn’t about run-and-gun heroics. It’s about persistence, precision, and the fixed stress of constructing life-or-death calls underneath the Guidelines of Engagement.
The Artwork of Gradual, Methodical Chaos
What makes Prepared or Not shine is its dedication to realism. In contrast to the adrenaline-soaked firefights of Name of Obligation, right here you’ll creep via corridors, stack up on doorways, deploy mirror cams, and attempt to coax suspects into give up. Each mission seems like a check of nerves. Hostage rescue, barricaded suspects, bomb defusal—every goal forces you to decelerate and suppose like an actual tactical unit. That second when a suspect lastly drops their weapon after you’ve been screaming “Police! Palms up!” for what seems like an eternity is extra satisfying than 100 headshots elsewhere.
After all, it wouldn’t be a correct tactical shooter with out instruments of the commerce. Flashbangs, beanbag shotguns, tasers, ballistic shields—non-lethal tools isn’t simply inspired, it’s typically rewarded. Getting into weapons blazing may work in lots of different video games, however in Prepared or Not it often means mission failure and a protracted, silent stroll again to HQ. I discovered myself unlearning a long time of FPS habits, which is each refreshing and irritating in equal measure.
Solo Play vs Squad Play
Taking part in alone with AI teammates is usually a blended bag. They’ll comply with instructions and execute breaches with satisfying precision, however their decision-making can typically be, let’s say, questionable. Suspects may nonetheless outwit them with stunning ease. That mentioned, the sport completely comes alive in co-op. Coordinating with mates, whispering over comms, timing entries—it’s intense, cinematic, and borderline terrifying at occasions. If Path of Exile 2 scratches that itch for loot-driven camaraderie, Prepared or Not scratches the tactical facet of teamwork the place each transfer issues.
Seems to be and Sounds that Pull You In
The sport’s visible design walks a intelligent line between realism and environment. Darkened homes lit by the glint of televisions, deserted warehouses echoing with distant footsteps, suburban houses hiding horrors in each room—it’s all deeply unsettling. The sound design seals the deal. Doorways creak, muffled cries echo via partitions, gunshots are deafening, and each suspect shout sends a chill down your backbone. It’s not horror, however it performs with rigidity simply as successfully.
DLC and Expansions
Prepared or Not has grown meaningfully post-1.0 with paid DLC that additionally coincided with giant free updates for all gamers:
Dwelling Invasion (Jul 23, 2024) — storm-ravaged Los Sueños eventualities, three new missions, and extra gear/cosmetics.
Darkish Waters (Dec 10, 2024) — maritime a The Controversy
In mid-2025, to go console certification and preserve function parity throughout platforms, VOID toned down or eliminated sure depictions (like ongoing gore and transient nudity). The PC construct was up to date as properly, which sparked a wave of Steam review-bombing and a wider group debate about “censorship.” Commercially, nonetheless, the console launch proved enormous—the sport cleared 1 million gross sales on console inside a number of days of launch—at the same time as PC gamers continued to ask for an in-game toggle or separate construct.
Gross sales skyrocketed, proving accessibility typically trumps purity. Personally, whereas I perceive the frustration, the core expertise hasn’t misplaced its chew. Kick in that first door, and also you’ll neglect all concerning the lacking blood splatter.
Efficiency Examine
On current-gen consoles the sport targets excessive body charges (60fps+) and performs easily total, with occasional dips throughout the busiest breaches. On PC, scalability is powerful throughout a variety of {hardware}; dialing again shadows and post-processing buys you a large number if you happen to’re CPU-bound. Notably for console/PC gamers, Xbox reintroduced Play Anyplace help in August 2025: purchase as soon as and your progress/achievements sync throughout Xbox and PC.
Last Ideas
Prepared or Not isn’t for everybody. In the event you crave instantaneous gratification, you’ll in all probability bounce off its gradual, punishing type. However if you happen to relish rigidity, tactical depth, and the joys of breaching a door with out figuring out what’s behind it, this recreation delivers an expertise in contrast to anything available on the market. It’s the type of recreation that rewards persistence, planning, and nerves of metal. And when all of it comes collectively—when the squad flows like a well-oiled machine and the hostages make it out alive—it feels downright heroic.
Raedy Or Not Trailer
Prepared or Not earns an 8/10 for delivering a tense, methodical tactical expertise that few shooters match. Its realism, immersive environments, and rewarding co-op gameplay make each breach and hostage rescue really feel significant. Whereas AI quirks, the steep studying curve, and minor console censorship forestall it from being excellent, the core gameplay stays gripping and extremely satisfying. Followers of strategic, slow-burn FPS motion will discover it a standout title within the style.
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Recreation code was supplied by the Writer.
I reviewed it, after which it was edited by my associate.
