Ironman mode in Ready or Not is a hardcore, permadeath mode available exclusively in the single-player Commander mode. The key feature of Ironman mode is that if your character dies, the death is permanent—there are no retries, restarts, or save reloads. You lose your save file and must start the game over from the beginning. This mode significantly amplifies the game's realism and difficulty, requiring very cautious and strategic play since every decision impacts the survival of you and your squad. Commander mode itself already adds complex elements like squad stress management, unique officer traits, and mission planning, but Ironman mode takes the challenge to the extreme by removing any safety nets. Players must be vigilant in managing their team's stress and traits, and they have the option to exfiltrate if situations become too dangerous to avoid losing squad members unnecessarily. Ironman mode is disabled by default and can be enabled when starting a new game in Commander mode by toggling the Ironman option under the new game menu. In summary:

• Permadeath mode: death means game over with no reloads or restarts.
• Available only in the single-player Commander mode.
• Adds intense realism and challenge to gameplay.
• Requires careful planning, tactical movement, and squad management.
• Players must start over from scratch if they die.
• Can be enabled in the Commander mode new game interface.

This mode is best suited for players looking for the ultimate tactical challenge in Ready or Not and is not recommended for newcomers until they are familiar with the game's mechanics.