Enable Service Desk

Sorry for the elementary question, but I’ve created a new project to test out service desk, and going to the settings to enable the feature, there’s no “Enable” just a “you might have things to do first” kinda link, but it then links instructions.

Yes, while I know there is a guide; can anyone tell me if setting up the email is a Check for enabling the feature?

Is it a hard stop prereq and I will NOT be able to enable the feature without it?

I’d like to just try it out in our environment and rolling out the necessary config changes as I am more comfortable, I understand it HOW it needs email for users to submit, but was more wondering if you can enable it w/o it to start with if that makes sense?