FTL: Advanced Edition

 PC
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 50
  3. Negative: 6 out of 50

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  1. Esperantisto
    Apr 4, 2014
    9
    I like the original game a lot and gave it a nine. The new version seems to be a modest improvement; it certainly makes the relatively simple game more complicated. Overall, I'm not convinced that the new version is better than the old version, but one can choose to play by the old rules, so if the old version deserved a nine, so does the new version.
  2. CaptBruce
    Apr 7, 2014
    9
    If you have never played FTL, the update will not ruin it for you. It makes the game easier. More fun? That is debatable. It did add some more hours of play for me, so I am not going to bash it for no good reason. There is room for them to grow and I still highly recommend the game. Some will choose to disable the new content, some won't. It's that simple.
  3. Sh4ft3r
    Apr 4, 2014
    2
    I have 400 hours logged in FTL - One of the best games I've ever played.

    Unfortunately the best thing about Advanced (the free addon) is being able to disable it. It dies from unbalanced over content that ruins the original formula, this in itself was one of the major issues the designers were worried about, so why do it? The only additions to this game should have been extra ships    I have 400 hours logged in FTL - One of the best games I've ever played.

    Unfortunately the best thing about Advanced (the free addon) is being able to disable it. It dies from unbalanced over content that ruins the original formula, this in itself was one of the major issues the designers were worried about, so why do it?

    The only additions to this game should have been extra ships (one is present and welcome) and a variety of Co-op and Vs multiplayer modes. Advanced has neither. Hopefully there will be a cluster of balance patches in the future. Such a shame.

    TL;DR FTL is amazing - FTL: AE currently ruins the original balance and design.    … Expand
  4. TinyPerson
    Apr 8, 2014
    6
    There is no way a game that appears as simple as FTL should have so many layers of complexity, but it really is an example of great game design. In its original form it was beautifully balanced and compelling, and with the new Advanced Edition (free to existing users) it opens out the formula even further.

    Sadly, not all is well. Balancing issues have crept into the game. Never an    There is no way a game that appears as simple as FTL should have so many layers of complexity, but it really is an example of great game design. In its original form it was beautifully balanced and compelling, and with the new Advanced Edition (free to existing users) it opens out the formula even further.

    Sadly, not all is well. Balancing issues have crept into the game. Never an easy game (though certainly completeable), there was always the feeling that unfairness was just around the corner. A bad roll of the dice, an unlucky event, and your game was almost impossible to recover. In the original version this was a constant source of frustration, but it has got a lot worse with the Advanced Edition. Winning is no longer a skill so much as a lottery - and frankly it feels a lot harder to win than the real lottery.

    At the same time, anything that freshens up the formula is to be welcomed, and I expect balance issues will be addressed as time goes on. You can still switch it off after all, so although its early days I have high hopes for it.    … Expand
  5. CriticalStrike
    Apr 13, 2014
    0
    Wow. What a disappointment. Having played the original FTL for almost 100 hours, I recommended it highly. Sadly the Advanced Edition is a broken patch, even for free. First understand that this is not a sequel to FTL. It is a patch which adds a few more graphics, systems, and one new ship. On the outside this may appear like a deal. Unfortunately, the devs increased the complexity of theWow. What a disappointment. Having played the original FTL for almost 100 hours, I recommended it highly. Sadly the Advanced Edition is a broken patch, even for free. First understand that this is not a sequel to FTL. It is a patch which adds a few more graphics, systems, and one new ship. On the outside this may appear like a deal. Unfortunately, the devs increased the complexity of the game without accounting for its RNG issues. This completely ruined the original formula, creating an unbalanced game that is near impossible even easy mode. While the original FTL was difficult, the Advanced Edition is narcissistic. Be prepared to watch your ship blow up on almost every play-through. The only good part of the Advanced Edition is the fact you can turn it off in game.… Expand
  6. saadrehman
    Apr 5, 2014
    10
    When the original game was released, I played it continuously until I reached the end, and the I continued to play because it was so addictive, this has now happened again, the update adds a lot of new content that is very welcome, the update has significantly changed the gameplay, before, I would lock onto the shields with my ion weapons and barrage the weapons systems with lasers butWhen the original game was released, I played it continuously until I reached the end, and the I continued to play because it was so addictive, this has now happened again, the update adds a lot of new content that is very welcome, the update has significantly changed the gameplay, before, I would lock onto the shields with my ion weapons and barrage the weapons systems with lasers but now I have to jump between the new hacking drone system and my usual strategy, great game, recommended, also with the option to turn it off, there is nothing not to like, to new players I suggest that you first defeat the boss with it off and then with it on, this is for FTL what Wrath of the Lamb was for Binding of Isaac.… Expand
  7. augh18
    Sep 29, 2014
    5
    First time playing FTL was with this Advanced Edition, so this isn't a review of what the Advanced Edition adds to the base game, but what the whole package provides.

    Gameplay is a mashup of roguelikes and RTS, with the ability to pause in order to make more strategic decisions when necessary. It *will* unfairly kill you at times. Once you understand the game, you'll find that you can    First time playing FTL was with this Advanced Edition, so this isn't a review of what the Advanced Edition adds to the base game, but what the whole package provides.

    Gameplay is a mashup of roguelikes and RTS, with the ability to pause in order to make more strategic decisions when necessary. It *will* unfairly kill you at times. Once you understand the game, you'll find that you can make it tot he final battle more often than not due to good planning and a decent amount of luck, but the final battle is unfortunately where the success of your run due to the RNG elements comes into play. If you had decent RNG and great planning, you're still going to lose in the final battle because no matter how well you know the game, you won't have the power necessary to overcome the challenge.

    Cool concept, decent art style, soundtrack is outstanding, took about 4 hours for me to get my first victory, did a few additional runs afterwards for kicks, beat it three times over the course of 10 hours, and that was enough for me. Not a must-play by any means, but if you're looking for something to play to kill time while waiting for a bigger release, then this is a viable option.    … Expand
  8. Stoopyface
    Apr 13, 2014
    9
    The advanced edition is a free expansion to the base FTL game and it can be disabled if you don't like it, so the worst case scenario is that it makes no difference to the game.

    The advanced edition adds new content to every aspect of the game (briefly): a new playable and enemy race, 10 new playable ships, 4 new ship system types, a new sector type, new enemy ship types, new    The advanced edition is a free expansion to the base FTL game and it can be disabled if you don't like it, so the worst case scenario is that it makes no difference to the game.

    The advanced edition adds new content to every aspect of the game (briefly):
    a new playable and enemy race, 10 new playable ships, 4 new ship system types, a new sector type, new enemy ship types, new difficulty setting, new weapons, new augments, new drones and a range of tweaks.
    It is a massive addition that adds a great deal of replay value to a game already high in replay value.

    The only criticism of the advanced edition content that I think no one would argue with is that it makes the game more complex and therefore more difficult. This added complexity is a positive and welcome addition to someone like me, who has played the game a lot, but might stop new players from enjoying it. My recommendation is to begin playing with the advanced edition content disabled, then enable it once you have gotten used to the game.

    One of the major criticisms of the advanced content is that it unbalances the game. Personally, I think it re-balances it rather than unbalances it. A good example of this is with the new ship systems. Whereas before you could have every system installed at once, now there are enough systems that you will have to leave some out. This means you cannot have a ship that is powerful at everything. However, to compensate, you can now become much better in the areas you specialise, which is very satisfying and offers more choice and replay value.    … Expand
  9. Szlomka
    Sep 30, 2014
    10
    An excellent game. It delivers fun and satisfaction. The repetitive shortcomings of rogue likes are there but within the genre it shines brightly as THE best proposition. Now if only the authors would proceed to turn this into a fully fledged star-trek like exploration that is somewhat open ended... there might be room here for a sequel.
  10. TheIndieHut
    Oct 7, 2014
    10
    Contrary to what people are saying, this patch FIXED the game in many ways, and actually made it more balanced.

    Love this game forever.

    Don't listen to the other reviews, plus the content is %100 optional.
  11. QContinuum
    Jun 9, 2014
    8
    Outfit your ship with new systems, encounter new enemies, travel to FTL beacons with new environmental hazards and die even more horribly than in the original game. This expansion pack feels quite solid, and if you don't like it, you can always select to start a new game with all Advanced Edition content disabled.

    Personally, I think it makes some of the game harder, some of the game    Outfit your ship with new systems, encounter new enemies, travel to FTL beacons with new environmental hazards and die even more horribly than in the original game. This expansion pack feels quite solid, and if you don't like it, you can always select to start a new game with all Advanced Edition content disabled.

    Personally, I think it makes some of the game harder, some of the game easier and most of the game even more fun than before.    … Expand
  12. GriefSeed
    Dec 2, 2016
    10
    I am rarely one for games that have a punishing learning curve and revel in ramping up the difficulty for players, but FTL is one of the rare games where losing is more invigorating than it is frustrating. The rush of executing quick tactical thinking in an environment where both hesitation and brashness will punish you with a loss made my actions as a player feel more consequential thanI am rarely one for games that have a punishing learning curve and revel in ramping up the difficulty for players, but FTL is one of the rare games where losing is more invigorating than it is frustrating. The rush of executing quick tactical thinking in an environment where both hesitation and brashness will punish you with a loss made my actions as a player feel more consequential than most other games. Success is not based on mindlessly improving reflexes or memorizing level patterns, but in developing an effective battle strategy using the diverse, yet limited, resources available. Victory is all the more sweet when it is snatched out of the maw of defeat, and this game will make you earn it.… Expand
  13. CriticalHit20
    Oct 21, 2019
    7
    I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt and giving it a 7. I played the first one and thought myself very good at it and was excited about an update. However, I gave it a good 5 hours try and was completely brutalized and frustrated. Since I was given the game, I did not feel compelled to finish it and moved on to other things. Perhaps, if I put the time and effort into it, I will return toI'm giving it the benefit of the doubt and giving it a 7. I played the first one and thought myself very good at it and was excited about an update. However, I gave it a good 5 hours try and was completely brutalized and frustrated. Since I was given the game, I did not feel compelled to finish it and moved on to other things. Perhaps, if I put the time and effort into it, I will return to the FTL bliss I enjoyed previously, but there are so many games to play and it would probably be more fun just to play the original again after all this time.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Eurogamer Italy
    May 8, 2014
    90
    FTL: Advanced Edition is an excellent expansion that makes a brilliant game even more enjoyable. And if you don’t like the new content, you can just switch it off and enjoy the spectacular vanilla version.
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  2. IGN
    Apr 25, 2014
    96
    FTL: Advanced Edition is an incredibly replayable game, and each run gives me something memorable and rewarding – even the ones that end with my entire crew dead.
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  3. Critical Hit
    Apr 9, 2014
    90
    There was a hell of a lot of game in the normal edition, and the Advanced Edition only adds more of the good stuff - and for free too! There’s never been a better time to get into FTL.
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