FTL: Faster Than Light

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1531 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,248 out of 1531
  2. Mixed: 185 out of 1531
  3. Negative: 98 out of 1531

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  1. 350gamesSince94
    Feb 27, 2015
    9
    FTL is an enjoyable Tactical simulation that shows young indie game designers of the future that there is still a huge amount of forgotten game mechanics that people are starving for these days. This game has amazing loyal developers who are willing to add more content even after release to maintain its gleaming fine polished indie game art style. Considering this game went beyondFTL is an enjoyable Tactical simulation that shows young indie game designers of the future that there is still a huge amount of forgotten game mechanics that people are starving for these days. This game has amazing loyal developers who are willing to add more content even after release to maintain its gleaming fine polished indie game art style. Considering this game went beyond recycling an older idea and enhancing it with an on board crew mechanic made it worth the money and time I had spent on it.

    Its only real weak points are that the seemly random generated are pretty much similar in the sense that I know the best case scenario and the worst case scenario. The blue options are in my opinion an appropriate measure to give players a better chance by having the right ship modules and weapons at the right time, but not enough to completely eliminate the fact that some items are a must have in order to stand a chance in the 8th Sector. The mod teams and mod support are the go-to sort of people to fix the most of the problems, but why couldn't the Dev's give a little more variety then get to world 8 and kill the rebel fleet boss.
    Everything else seemed almost flawless with the game design with the oxygen system I had only found in very few games and the crew boarding just makes the game feel exciting when on the offense and devastating on the defense. Then the game offers even more than the typical "blow up the the space ship" by providing legit opportunities and benefits to some surrendering ships who want to live. Most of the time I find myself blowing them up for scrap so I can upgrade but often intrigued by the offers they make.
    This is an absolutely positively must own this on your phone if you have one, and is well worth the price it charges. I could even compare these mechanics to my favorite games I ever played list and that on itself made me having second thoughts on whether I should give this an 8 or a 9 despite it having a slight issue with crude random map generation that could be expanded on vastly. Then again the developers even spoiled us further with FREE new content instead of a ridiculously stupid DLC that I want to see gone forever. It would of been a ten if the game was perfect and I have yet to see that perfect game yet, so this is possibly the highest I ever scored a game anyways.    … Expand
  2. meltdownmonk
    Jul 15, 2016
    9
    Well designed game that gets better with each play through. You will die many many times before winning, but each experience helps you understand better strategies for survival. Mastering different weapon combinations, learning the best timing for spending your money (known as Scrap), customizing and unlocking content make this game fun, not to mention you are micromanaging a shipWell designed game that gets better with each play through. You will die many many times before winning, but each experience helps you understand better strategies for survival. Mastering different weapon combinations, learning the best timing for spending your money (known as Scrap), customizing and unlocking content make this game fun, not to mention you are micromanaging a ship travelling through space!!! I kept thinking I was on the USS Enterprise - I would imaging yelling : divert all power from shields to the weapons, or the engines... target their oxygen systems... etc., etc. Very addictive. Although it is random, once you play enough you start to see some patterns, or know certain things to expect. Failing is just as interesting as succeeding.… Expand
  3. kloplos
    Mar 24, 2015
    9
    It's an extremely replayable indie space adventure game with roguelike elements. It can be difficult at times. The challeges you face and the decisions you make will ultimately decide whether you'll make it to the end or not. However, it's this very difficulty that makes completing the game very satisfying.
  4. IvoryFlux
    Jul 4, 2015
    9
    An amazing and challenging game! Put over 85 hours into FTL, and still play it from time to time. Micro-manage your ship into detail with the use of strategy to beat back the rebels!
  5. Wiebe
    Feb 26, 2020
    9
    The best rogue like, high replayability, just amazing fun for a simple game.
  6. Smatt--
    Nov 12, 2016
    9
    FTL: Faster Than Light, is the most fun game I've played this month, there's just some sort of charm to it. It has great replay value, this is because the amount of stuff you can unlock, and because you always want your current run through to beat the last, and you always want to do better. There's always something new to expect each run too.

    The game is highly addictive, the RPG    FTL: Faster Than Light, is the most fun game I've played this month, there's just some sort of charm to it. It has great replay value, this is because the amount of stuff you can unlock, and because you always want your current run through to beat the last, and you always want to do better. There's always something new to expect each run too.

    The game is highly addictive, the RPG elements are executed really well, but the difficulty curve does sneak up on you from time to time, even on easy mode.

    A must have for your collection. 9/10    … Expand
  7. Hassaleh
    Oct 14, 2016
    9
    The game that introduced me to the joy of rogue-like games and still the best of the genre that I have ever played. Every time I jump back into this game I discover something new, a new combination of weapons and technology, a new cool way to defeat your foes and save the galaxy. Most of my playthroughs I die before the final boss but that's what draws you back into the game again andThe game that introduced me to the joy of rogue-like games and still the best of the genre that I have ever played. Every time I jump back into this game I discover something new, a new combination of weapons and technology, a new cool way to defeat your foes and save the galaxy. Most of my playthroughs I die before the final boss but that's what draws you back into the game again and again, until you finally beat the thing, giving you an amazing feeling of pride and satisfaction. You should really try it, it's great!… Expand
  8. hassall
    Dec 3, 2016
    9
    I really liked this game it was one of my favourite games of 2012.The thing i don't like about the game is each play it depends on luck but apart from that it is a masterpiece.
  9. demonalter852
    Mar 16, 2017
    9
    This game is pretty amazing for a indie title. here are the pros and cons
    pros
    - rogue like elements
    -amazing and catchy music
    - excellent and difficult combat (p.s. you die, you die for good and you start from all of the way from the beginning)
    - variety of ways to customize your ship and your attack
    - fun story and side quests to do

    cons
    - i never rate games 10 out of 10
  10. auditbadger
    Jul 30, 2017
    9
    I think that this is truly a unique game and I would recommend that if you are a fan of this type of genre then I think you should give this game a try.
  11. Mordeth131
    Oct 29, 2017
    9
    Easily one of my fav games! Game can be very unforgiving and frustrating but when something goes well it so much more rewarding. This is one of my go to games when I have nothin else to play, strategy can be very simple or fairly complicated. For the price and replay ability it is a definite must have!
  12. Galope
    Oct 27, 2020
    9
    Cosmic dungeons

    It connects with the player from the first moment. Subset Games breaks the market with a title that forgets about visual parameters that easily impresses the player. All the efforts of the team have been put on offering a product with a brutal playability, a product that provides mechanics that are easy to learn and difficult to master. FTL is not a game for the lover    Cosmic dungeons

    It connects with the player from the first moment. Subset Games breaks the market with a title that forgets about visual parameters that easily impresses the player. All the efforts of the team have been put on offering a product with a brutal playability, a product that provides mechanics that are easy to learn and difficult to master.

    FTL is not a game for the lover of retro games, it is a game designed for the video game lover. Many players will emit a quick and fragile opinion accusing the game of belonging to a very small audience: those retro lovers who despise the tricks and technical ornaments of the new generations. Those players are wrong. FTL offers playability. FTL offers a depth that translates into hours of play, full of alternative paths, thousands of possible situations, continuous decisions that translate into small stellar achievements. And this is where the key to its great playability lies on: in the decisions that we make. FTL makes us participate of everything: the paths to take, the long-term strategies that will take our ship to beat the empire, the weaponry and updates that we might consider useful and the very necessary micromanagement needed in battles. FTL makes us consider the details such as the design of our fleet adapted to our style of play, the analysis of those races that fit into the configuration of our crew, the navigation chart, and a thousand other reasons that are there for us to discover as the game progresses.

    We have seen many space adventures, few of them so disciplined in their playability. FTL will make you play again and again until you realize you are late for work, forgot to eat, drink and shower.    … Expand
  13. Fiona666
    May 10, 2018
    9
    God, I have spent so much time with this game. Critics point out that it is essentially a slot machine and that is true - luck plays a big role in FTL. The whole journey is randomly generated (from many predefined stories and events), so sometimes you will find valuable weapons and resources very early in the game and sometimes you are just overwhelmed by super-strong enemies. SometimesGod, I have spent so much time with this game. Critics point out that it is essentially a slot machine and that is true - luck plays a big role in FTL. The whole journey is randomly generated (from many predefined stories and events), so sometimes you will find valuable weapons and resources very early in the game and sometimes you are just overwhelmed by super-strong enemies. Sometimes every decision you make works out and sometimes everything goes wrong. The final battle is extremely difficult and only winnable if you had a lot of luck on the way there (if you make it at all). And while all of that sounds like bad game design the game is simply a lot of fun and I just want to love it!… Expand
  14. Snakeyellow
    Sep 17, 2018
    9
    Fantastic game! A bit on the hard side since it relies heavily on luck and randomness.

    Pro
    -Atmosphere
    -Gameplay is great
    -Replayability

    Con
    -Graphic are soso
    -Very random
  15. CriticalHit20
    Oct 21, 2019
    9
    I played the hell out of this game, delving into all the nooks and crannies and loving every second of it. I must admit I did bypass the rogue aspect of the game as that made it more fun for me. If I played it normally than my rating might only be 7.5. Hours pass but unlike many other games it was enjoyed and not wasted.
  16. J1mbo
    Jul 9, 2023
    9
    The amount of time you last or if you even beat the game is determined by luck. However other than that complaint the game does require a good amount of skill. At the beginning of the game, you can pretty much go afk while you destroy a ship, however, as you progress it gets harder and harder to the point where you have to be glued to your screen making sure your ship is repaired and ifThe amount of time you last or if you even beat the game is determined by luck. However other than that complaint the game does require a good amount of skill. At the beginning of the game, you can pretty much go afk while you destroy a ship, however, as you progress it gets harder and harder to the point where you have to be glued to your screen making sure your ship is repaired and if you're targeting the most vital part of your enemy's ship according to your current situation. The game Spore would be a world better if it implemented some of this game's mechanics into its game.… Expand
  17. Thyrvi
    Oct 13, 2022
    9
    Great game.
    The random events, as in any challenging Roughlike, sometimes do not seem fair.
    However, this gives the game a really high replay value.
    Can recommend the game without reservation.
  18. PR9Gaming
    Aug 12, 2023
    9
    Hugely enjoyable space roguelike that makes you wanna rewatch Star Trek. Can you bring about the Flakening?
  19. kingzardoz
    Jul 28, 2013
    8
    I had to submit a new review because my first impression of the game was very wrong and I shouldn't have written a review so quickly. This game is actually very deep to the point of every item in the game having a strategic purpose. I originally thought it was very random and while it is very random there are routine strategies you can follow that can help turn the randomness in your favor.
  20. nop
    Mar 3, 2013
    8
    Great game. Hard, unforgiving, maybe too dependent on luck, but extremely addictive and fun. Yes, it could be deeper, less repetitive but it is still a small unexpected masterpiece. P.S. Don't try Normal difficulty until you complete it on easy. On Normal some random encounters will kill you rather frequently unless you you have a lot of experience and skill already. On Easy you canGreat game. Hard, unforgiving, maybe too dependent on luck, but extremely addictive and fun. Yes, it could be deeper, less repetitive but it is still a small unexpected masterpiece. P.S. Don't try Normal difficulty until you complete it on easy. On Normal some random encounters will kill you rather frequently unless you you have a lot of experience and skill already. On Easy you can usually survive most situations even if unprepared.… Expand
  21. Ian277
    Aug 25, 2013
    8
    a very enjoyable game. it isn't too difficult in the beginning and gradually gets harder... WAY harder. most rogue like games forget to use a easier beginning to draw you in before smashing you to pieces. his game however does a great job of tricking you into thinking "my ship is great i'll beat it this time!". i like the soundtrack. the images in the background are repeated a bit tooa very enjoyable game. it isn't too difficult in the beginning and gradually gets harder... WAY harder. most rogue like games forget to use a easier beginning to draw you in before smashing you to pieces. his game however does a great job of tricking you into thinking "my ship is great i'll beat it this time!". i like the soundtrack. the images in the background are repeated a bit too often, but it's not that big of a deal. anyway one of the better rogue like games i have ever played.… Expand
  22. LD9000
    Sep 18, 2013
    8
    A decent fun game with an average game duration of about an hour, very addictive for a couple days. Also very hard, out of a over a dozen attempts I managed to win once using a stealth cruiser.
  23. Chivay
    Dec 27, 2012
    8
    Simple at first with but with depth. Challenging combat - a rarity in today's games. Works under Linux! Sometimes frustrating but overall worth every penny.
  24. Baenlynn
    Sep 24, 2012
    8
    When I heard that FTL had achieved it's kickstarter goals and been released I was actually thinking of another kickstarter project with a similar focus that I had donated to months earlier. I hadn't heard of FTL before this point, but I'm glad I bought it. The game is basically Nethack in space, although while I find nethack frustrating to the point of wanting to throw my computer out theWhen I heard that FTL had achieved it's kickstarter goals and been released I was actually thinking of another kickstarter project with a similar focus that I had donated to months earlier. I hadn't heard of FTL before this point, but I'm glad I bought it. The game is basically Nethack in space, although while I find nethack frustrating to the point of wanting to throw my computer out the window, FTL, while still being hard as nails doesn't frustrate in the same way. Yes it's going to take you a while to have a game where you make it to the final sector. Yes it's going to take you even longer to beat the game, but each and every journey you find yourself telling the stories of your crew, living through their little pixelated lives and it really tears at your heart to lose your captain to a pack of killer spiders, or that engi slave you freed to a pirate boarding party. Deep under all the repetitive scenarios and mechanics there is this tiny little random heart beating life into the game in a way that even big-name titles seem to fall short of, and if you're a perfectionist, or a completionist there are some difficult unlockables to catch but even though I've basically seen all the game has to offer I keep going back, because it's easy to get into and hard as hell to master.… Expand
  25. Canisrah
    Sep 16, 2012
    8
    I bought FTL on a whim when I saw that it involved space ship command with a tactical bent. My expectations were low - but when I got into it I was surprised to find myself really engaged and enjoying the experience. The visuals aren't that flash but the gameplay fires the imagination such that the visuals remain functional and incidental to the core experience. Different scenarios areI bought FTL on a whim when I saw that it involved space ship command with a tactical bent. My expectations were low - but when I got into it I was surprised to find myself really engaged and enjoying the experience. The visuals aren't that flash but the gameplay fires the imagination such that the visuals remain functional and incidental to the core experience. Different scenarios are presented to you as you warp into each new sector and you are required to make choices that influence where the game goes; a lot of these choices result in combat but it's refreshing to see that some do not. A lot of sci-fi games focus too much on combat but the whole star trek experience is just as much about managing crew and making decisions as it is firing the phasers. FTL is perhaps leaning toward too much combat, but it does make significant efforts to give you other things to do as well - and to good effect. The soundtrack is delightful and the sense that you are in command is palpable. On my last game it was me and Jean Luc (you can name crew members) and we made it alone to stage 4 (of 5) and had some amazing scraps and adventures along the way. We started we 3 crew members (you can recruit more along the way) but Beverly died after we were boarded and the oxygen levels in sick bay dropped to the point where she suffocated. We were really cut up about that but pressed on. It's a great little game - could perhaps have benefited from just a little more depth but as is it's heaps of fun and for the price... you can't lose. Highly recommended.… Expand
  26. MrSniker
    Oct 2, 2012
    8
    Fun game, have logged ~20 hours into it and for $10 it's pretty solid.

    The graphics are simple and easy to understand, the UI is well laid out and lays all need to know information at your disposal, game's got some difficulty and the game's skill/luck system is pretty balanced. The problems are there's just a lack of content for random encounters. After a few replays you start to    Fun game, have logged ~20 hours into it and for $10 it's pretty solid.

    The graphics are simple and easy to understand, the UI is well laid out and lays all need to know information at your disposal, game's got some difficulty and the game's skill/luck system is pretty balanced.

    The problems are there's just a lack of content for random encounters. After a few replays you start to see patterns in encounters and know what path to pick even before you read the whole thing. Some encounters just seem predetermined for you to fail or lack any substantial rewards to risk your crew and ship over. It just gets a tad old.

    Another problem is un-lockable ships aren't the easiest to unlock and it'd be nice for the developers to include maybe an extra ship or two at the beginning to allow new people for more flexible game play initially. If you've got $10 and enjoy tactical game play with some luck involved, you won't be disappointed.    … Expand
  27. GolovA
    Aug 2, 2013
    8
    Be warned right away this is a Rogue Type of Game, and you cannot load a save if you die! That said the game is pretty cool. Enjoyed it a lot: there is a development element you hook up you ship, but and sell weapons and augmentations, upgrade systems, etc., your crew also gets experience for performing tasks. There is also the Combat element you battle other ships, loot them, orBe warned right away this is a Rogue Type of Game, and you cannot load a save if you die! That said the game is pretty cool. Enjoyed it a lot: there is a development element you hook up you ship, but and sell weapons and augmentations, upgrade systems, etc., your crew also gets experience for performing tasks. There is also the Combat element you battle other ships, loot them, or run away screaming (since, like i mentioned there are loads!). Then, there is the exploring element you explore the galaxy, pressed by the hostile Rebels, who pursue you throughout sectors; random events spice up the game, and so no. One drawback is that the game is hard even on Easy setting it will take quite a few passes to complete. And the Normal Setting is absurd. I wish the difficulty would be better balanced. Yet again this is a rogue game Overall had a lot of fun with this one!… Expand
  28. Barua124
    Oct 17, 2012
    8
    17OCT2012 - It's an alright game. I wasn't expecting much from this simple looking game but I really enjoyed it. Haven't beaten it yet but I'm still working on it. First impressions for me was that the game looks crappy and a cheap throwback to games from the 1990's. Still though, gameplay is fun and addictive. If the price remains low I would recommend this game.
  29. Banhammer0
    May 31, 2014
    8
    Great indie game, I played it for like 20+ hours and had a lot of fun with it.
    Crew and ship management which are the main parts of the game are very well designed and satisfying. The various encounters and quests are varied and well-written adding surprising level of immersion to the game.
    It's rouge-like nature can be a flaw sometimes. Sometimes even if you are a very good player you    Great indie game, I played it for like 20+ hours and had a lot of fun with it.
    Crew and ship management which are the main parts of the game are very well designed and satisfying. The various encounters and quests are varied and well-written adding surprising level of immersion to the game.
    It's rouge-like nature can be a flaw sometimes. Sometimes even if you are a very good player you lose no matter what, for example you spec your ship into drones, and you find only 1 combat drone through entire campaign failing miserably. Sometimes it also can be too easy, it really depends more on luck than skill.
    The graphics are kinda cartoonish but this is okay in an indie game, though better graphics would make this game way more amazing.
    The music is epic, I listened to it outside of the game more than I played it I think, really immersive, you can find in on youtube and see if it suits your style.
    During the game you unlock new ships and new ships layouts which gives it a lot of replay ability. Single campaign will take you only a couple hours to complete, but it's not a problem thanks to it's rouge-like nature.
    What else...technically it's almost perfect as I did not encounter any major glitches or crashes.
    Also it's modable. There are a lot of good mods out there, mostly adding new ships but also total overhauls worth checking out.

    For it's very low price I can't give it any less than 8/10. It's one of the best indie games out there.    … Expand
  30. Mogul
    Jan 24, 2013
    8
    I played rogue as a kid, and I really enjoy crawling my way through random dungeon after random dungeon, with no two playthroughs being quite the same. FTL brings back that same feeling, only in outer space, in really cool space ships. The game mechanics are top notch, with lots of depth, but also a fun and intuitive general approach. As a final point, I'll mention that the difficultyI played rogue as a kid, and I really enjoy crawling my way through random dungeon after random dungeon, with no two playthroughs being quite the same. FTL brings back that same feeling, only in outer space, in really cool space ships. The game mechanics are top notch, with lots of depth, but also a fun and intuitive general approach. As a final point, I'll mention that the difficulty level found here is very high, which is a bit refreshing in today's gaming market, but unfortunately, a lot of the difficulty factor is simply luck based. I guess that's a bit unavoidable with randomized maps / encounters, but it does make the game a bit annoying at times.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best PC Game of 2012
21
#21 Most Discussed PC Game of 2012
13
#13 Most Shared PC Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. Gamers' Temple
    May 27, 2013
    87
    Fulfill a sci-fi fantasy by becoming the Captain of your own starship! Don't expect great graphics, but do except to lose many hours to FTL and expect to lose your ship ... a lot.
    Read full review
  2. PC Master (Greece)
    Feb 6, 2013
    85
    Kickstarter has accomplished its mission in this one, giving the opportunity to an original, non-mainstream title to go public and meet its well-deserved success. Especially for sci-fi fans, it’s a no-brainer; buy this game at once and live the life of a courageous pilot that only has one mission: survival. [November 2012]
  3. GameStar
    Nov 24, 2012
    77
    Quotation forthcoming.
    Read full review
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