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. Samvell
    Sep 1, 2023
    5
    Good game at its core, but it basically suffers from the same major problem as Into The Breach - you're always, and I mean ALWAYS, just one mistake away from losing. I've had so many successful runs where I though I was finally able to enjoy the game, just to be completely annihilated within minutes. FTL has some insane difficulty spikes. In one sector your enemies are basically punchingGood game at its core, but it basically suffers from the same major problem as Into The Breach - you're always, and I mean ALWAYS, just one mistake away from losing. I've had so many successful runs where I though I was finally able to enjoy the game, just to be completely annihilated within minutes. FTL has some insane difficulty spikes. In one sector your enemies are basically punching bags who can barely penetrate your shields. In the next one they have so many advantages over you you'd think they're using cheatcodes. In one sector you are just showered with all sorts of upgrades, crew members, weapons, etc. In the next one you get exactly jack point sh*t just because RNG says so. In one sector you don't have any events on, like, 60% of planets. In the next one every second planet is in nebula, and every third one has solar flares that will ruin your run faster than you can say the word "run".
    I assume some people might enjoy ths particular sort of unpredictability, but to me it's just unfair. I really wanted to like this game because it has some nice visuals, good music, and interesting ship-building/upgrading mechanics, but opponents ALWAYS having the upper hand just ruined any kind of enjoyment for me personally.    … Expand
  2. PR9Gaming
    Aug 12, 2023
    9
    Hugely enjoyable space roguelike that makes you wanna rewatch Star Trek. Can you bring about the Flakening?
  3. Night565
    Aug 12, 2023
    10
    Probably my favorite rogue like to this day. I had fun getting a good chunk of the achievements and unlocking all my ships. Good time all around, like to revisit when i'm bored late at night and need something to chill with. Game is pretty hard but its like a puzzle where you slowly learn the tricks, once you do you can pretty reliable clear the game without issue.
  4. 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
  5. edxtan
    Jun 19, 2023
    6
    The roguelike elements in FTL: Faster Than Light's get you to always think about optimizing your long-term and short-term strategies, but the extreme randomness and lack of mechanical skill often makes the game unwinnable.
  6. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    7
    Fun roguelike but very punishing RNG and the final boss is completely out of tune with the difficulty of the rest of the game.
  7. Magical_Viktor
    Apr 30, 2023
    6
    Существуют просто Зло и Большое Зло, а за ними обоими в тени прячется Очень Большое Зло. Очень Большое Зло, Геральт, это такое, которого ты и представить себе не можешь, даже если думаешь, будто уже ничто не в состоянии тебя удивить. И знаешь, Геральт, порой бывает так, что Очень Большое Зло схватит тебя за горло и скажет: «Выбирай, братец, либо я, либо то, которое чуточку поменьше»Существуют просто Зло и Большое Зло, а за ними обоими в тени прячется Очень Большое Зло. Очень Большое Зло, Геральт, это такое, которого ты и представить себе не можешь, даже если думаешь, будто уже ничто не в состоянии тебя удивить. И знаешь, Геральт, порой бывает так, что Очень Большое Зло схватит тебя за горло и скажет: «Выбирай, братец, либо я, либо то, которое чуточку поменьше»
  8. Soullex
    Nov 15, 2022
    3
    Aslında farlı bir şeyler denemişler, ama birkaç saatin ardından mantığını çözünce, sadece düşmanın silahlarına ateş edip ilerlediğim bir oyun oldu.
  9. hileger
    Oct 15, 2022
    8
    Залипалово вроде простенько но механики затягивают хотя рогалики в целом распиаренное говно ,всякие дед сел не смогут соревноваться с этим Щедевром
  10. 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.
  11. Tabbou
    Jun 1, 2022
    4
    I don't understand all the 9 and 10/10, just looks like others rogue-lite and strategy games, disapointed
  12. Wrathzo
    Mar 21, 2022
    7
    FTL: Faster Than Light is a space-based top-down real-time strategy roguelike game created by indie developer Subset Games, which was released for Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux in September 2012. In the game, the player controls the crew of a single spacecraft, holding critical information to be delivered to an allied fleet, while being pursued by a large rebel fleet. The player mustFTL: Faster Than Light is a space-based top-down real-time strategy roguelike game created by indie developer Subset Games, which was released for Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux in September 2012. In the game, the player controls the crew of a single spacecraft, holding critical information to be delivered to an allied fleet, while being pursued by a large rebel fleet. The player must guide the spacecraft over eight sectors, each with planetary systems and events procedurally generated in a roguelike fashion, while facing rebel and other hostile forces, recruiting new crew, and outfitting and upgrading their ship. Combat takes place in pausable real time, and if the ship is destroyed or all of its crew lost, the game ends, forcing the player to restart with a new ship.… Expand
  13. gentlebenno
    Jan 27, 2022
    10
    This game is a masterpiece of joy and pain. I get so into it and get shot up so many times I have nightmares about it. And yet I keep coming back and become obsessed. It doesn't help that I don't allow myself to use the pause button thus further increasing the difficulty level. I should be institutionalized.
  14. BeatYourHeadIn
    Sep 19, 2021
    7
    FTL is a unique blend. It's action. It's strategy. It's roguelike. It's casual. However, none of those over-arching titles actually capture FTL's vibe. Perhaps "Jean-Luc Picard Flees the Borg Simulator" best gets the point across.

    The strength of this seemingly simple game is its surprising level of depth. As a playthrough progresses, you have full control over the customization of the    FTL is a unique blend. It's action. It's strategy. It's roguelike. It's casual. However, none of those over-arching titles actually capture FTL's vibe. Perhaps "Jean-Luc Picard Flees the Borg Simulator" best gets the point across.

    The strength of this seemingly simple game is its surprising level of depth. As a playthrough progresses, you have full control over the customization of the ship's various systems and upgrades. You're not likely to max out every category (or even a couple, for that matter), so you'll have to customize the ship around your play-style and your play-style around the RNGesus loot generator in order to see success.

    Diplomacy is non-existent. Talking one's way out of a dispute rarely an option, so arm the photon torpedoes and report to battle stations! FTL does cater to different play-styles: one could focus on offensive abilities or defensive abilities. Thankfully, the game is deep in terms of customization, resulting in branching upgrade paths for both offence and defense. For example, one may choose to focus on dodge instead of shielding, or boarding parties instead of heavy weaponry. The choice is yours... sort-of. Allow me to elaborate.

    First, acknowledge that it is unwise to start a new game of FTL with a certain strategy in mind, and then command your ship with upgrade tunnel vision. The game is based around entirely random encounters; adaptation is a virtue. To all those who like to plan ahead, this game flips you the bird! Sure you can have an overall goal in mind, but the game is random: you get what you get. Work with what you can scrounge up and/or to die trying!

    Commanding the crew RTS-style works great! Crew members gain proficiencies in various ship-stations and tasks over time. Different alien species bring different bonuses as crew, which adds a layer of depth to starship customization. Crew mortality serves to heighten the level of tension in battles, and even post-battle in some cases. You could win a battle, but if your life support systems were knocked out, you could lose crew members if you can't repair the O2 generator in time. It can feel like a heartbreaking loss when you lose say a Tier 2 Weapons Specialist.

    A few quirks and negative points are to be found in FTL. Crew members seem like "crew statues": they aren't affected by ferocious blasts or vacuum-sucking hull breaches. No... no one can get sucked into space in this game, not even enemy boarding parties. Disappointing, I know, for all you Among Us fans out there! Also, enemy ships with higher levels of shielding can be VERY difficult to defeat without shield piercing weapons or boarding parties. Losing is FUN, or so I'm told...

    Ultimately, despite the procedural generation of every new start, replay-ability in FTL is fairly limited. It is a casual game, and it is best to play it in casual doses. Great if you have a little time to kill: 20 minutes here, half hour there. However, I found my interest in FTL easily burns out during hour long or longer sessions.

    The game's unscripted charm is the main draw. You tell your own stories, the game just makes sure the endings are abrupt and filled with explosions. Experience your own journeys, filled with adversity, strife, sorrow, and success... mainly adversity, strife and sorrow. It is these player-driven stories that will keep you coming back for more Jean-Luc Picard-ing around.

    Make it so, Number 1!    … Expand
  15. Oshiri_Maeda
    Aug 29, 2021
    5
    Space bar pressing simulator. A bit too tedious for my liking. However, I see why it's popular, just not my cup of tea. Into the Breach gave a way stronger impression.
  16. Axilley
    Jul 22, 2021
    8
    good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good ftl gg
  17. Molok
    Apr 24, 2021
    1
    FTL is composed of wide variety of possible scenarios that are arranged randomly to create a unique run. Each play is distinct and creates a personal story of individual player's struggle. Here is just another one of them.

    I started with federation cruiser. Defying odds I progressed through increasingly difficult sectors before arriving to the Nebula under the control of Slugs. There I    FTL is composed of wide variety of possible scenarios that are arranged randomly to create a unique run. Each play is distinct and creates a personal story of individual player's struggle. Here is just another one of them.

    I started with federation cruiser. Defying odds I progressed through increasingly difficult sectors before arriving to the Nebula under the control of Slugs. There I resolved a few challenging combat scenarios, taking heavy damage because I didn't encounter any appropriate equipment and didn't really have an opportunity to upgrade weapons in earlier sectors. Luckily I found one more advanced weapon in stock, randomly found earlier. But I couldn't power it yet, needing a separate upgrade. With that in mind I pressed on. Eventually I arrived at a sector that housed a planet with several moons. The slug found on the surface quizzed me about the number of natural satellites orbiting the planet and taking advantage of my momentous distraction stole some of my missiles, drone parts, all of my exp and most of my remaining fuel. With exp gone and without a way to upgrade my system I didn't have realistic way to win future altercations but I pressed on.
    I encountered a dangerous ship. I disabled shields using my remaining missiles so I could actually damage systems using my pitiful lasers. All of my shots missed and I without ammo I couldn't switch to missile weapons. I dropped the shields, disabled the weapons, ordered all of doors opened to vent the ship of oxygen and concentrated the crew in one large chamber so they would suffocate. After they slowly and (I hope) painfully died I uninstalled the damn game.

    FTL is based entirely on your luck. It is a digital version of Russian roulette. Some weapons, augmentations and systems are just better than others. If you luck out and get them advancing through the game becomes trivial. If you do not it is impossible.
    I understand that it is alluring to some people as they like the risk. But I would advise anybody who likes to have any actual agency to stay away from the game.

    There are achievements that you can collect and unlock bonus ships. Unfortunately a standard run seems to be at least two hours long and if you die before getting an achievement you don't unlock anything. In that case each minute of your life spent playing is retroactively wasted away. There is absolutely no payoff if you lose. A standard tagline for rogue-lites is "Losing is fun". But this game simply isn't fun.

    On the other hand soundtrack is awesome. I would say that if you can get it without the game it's worth buying. Just don't buy FTL and don't give it any bump in it's statistics.    … Expand
  18. Ilmu011
    Feb 13, 2021
    8
    Solid roguelike.

    FTL is more strategic and almost feels like it's a turn-based game (even though it technically isn't). Trying out different ships and strategies is very fun and there is an appropriate amount of variety to them. It does have some balance problems, like some weapons not matching their supposed power levels, and most of the time you won't be able to try out a creative new    Solid roguelike.

    FTL is more strategic and almost feels like it's a turn-based game (even though it technically isn't). Trying out different ships and strategies is very fun and there is an appropriate amount of variety to them. It does have some balance problems, like some weapons not matching their supposed power levels, and most of the time you won't be able to try out a creative new strategy like you want to because the final battle is very static and will force you to use a similar strategy every time to be able to beat it (forget pure shieldless runs or pure asphyxiation runs). But you can still do it, just for the sake of it.

    Overall a good roguelike game.

    Playtime at review: 300 hours    … Expand
  19. patty_boi
    Dec 23, 2020
    8
    So, the game is great, but there are some issues. For one, sometimes some of the screen doesn't work and you cant click on it to start a new game or something like that, and two, the soundtrack is GREAT but it doesn't show up in my steam library so I need to play it manually. overall, a great game.
  20. Wineneeder
    Dec 20, 2020
    10
    I like it a lot. It could use a little more depth (I haven't tried to the expansion though), seems like mostly you just try to keep their weapons disabled and the AI is pretty basic.

    But I had a whole lot of fun with this.

    Though the randomness can really **** you over. I do not regret donating to this kickstarter.
  21. AdamBFS
    Nov 4, 2020
    8
    If you like a pastime type of game where you can slowly upgrade your equipment or find new crew members to help maintain your spaceship, then this game is exactly for you. After completing your first game, you can start to unlock new ships and new ways to play, this only adds to the replay value.

    Overall, I don't have anything negative to say about this game as it is just a simple 2D    If you like a pastime type of game where you can slowly upgrade your equipment or find new crew members to help maintain your spaceship, then this game is exactly for you. After completing your first game, you can start to unlock new ships and new ways to play, this only adds to the replay value.

    Overall, I don't have anything negative to say about this game as it is just a simple 2D space game.    … Expand
  22. 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
  23. RackNRoll
    Sep 2, 2020
    10
    Faster Than Light - это одна из тех игр которую ты скачиваешь из интернета бесплатно, но потом в голове рождается мысль "О ЧЕРТ ВОЗЬМИ, НАДО ЗА НЕЕ ЗАПЛАТИТЬ!".. почему спросите вы? да потому что это стоющая работа за которую не грех отдать те копейки, которые она стоит в стиме.. в нее хочется играть раз за разом, пройдя ее на одном корабле, другом, третьем.. четвертом.. пятом.. пока глазаFaster Than Light - это одна из тех игр которую ты скачиваешь из интернета бесплатно, но потом в голове рождается мысль "О ЧЕРТ ВОЗЬМИ, НАДО ЗА НЕЕ ЗАПЛАТИТЬ!".. почему спросите вы? да потому что это стоющая работа за которую не грех отдать те копейки, которые она стоит в стиме.. в нее хочется играть раз за разом, пройдя ее на одном корабле, другом, третьем.. четвертом.. пятом.. пока глаза не лопнут.. отличное звуковое оформление, музыка ненавящевая, радует слух.. красивая мультяшная графика не перестает удивлять.. огромный выбор вооружения начиная от бластеров, ракет и телепортирующихся десантников, вплоть до управления разумом вражеского члена экипажа.. огромный выбор кораблей и их модификаций, что делает игру разнообразной.. вообщем и целом это афигенная игра которая не потребует от вас супер реакции или убер креативного мышления и принесет уйму положительных эмоций.. если вы, конечно, не самый законченный "Ч"удак :)… Expand
  24. tommydlbass
    Aug 16, 2020
    7
    A good strategy-simulator ship game where you gotta scape from different worlds and fight to other kind of human beings. Has it's problems (it's maybe too hard, some of the perks are more useless than others, there are some random events that once you know the game lost the magic) but overall it's worth a try.
  25. BobbyTarantino
    Aug 15, 2020
    8
    a man goes to the doctor. says he's depressed. he says life seems harsh and cruel. says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. the doctor says "the treatment is simple. the great clown pagliacci is in town tonight. go and see him, that should pick you up." the man bursts into tears. he says "but doctor... i am pagliacci."
  26. eigenvalue
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    Simple graphic, beautiful soundtrack, many tactics. Even if you start under the same conditions, it is fun to choose different tactics each time depending on various encounters and situations.
  27. Roisman
    Mar 31, 2020
    7
    Roguelike games always have the prospect for both delight and frustration. It's a recipe that a lot of people enjoy and, if you are one of them, make no mistake, this a good game for you.

    Personally, I do not enjoy the randomness so much. I think the game evolves too slow. I mean, you have this really **** ship to start with and absolutely no options. Some may argue in favour of this,    Roguelike games always have the prospect for both delight and frustration. It's a recipe that a lot of people enjoy and, if you are one of them, make no mistake, this a good game for you.

    Personally, I do not enjoy the randomness so much. I think the game evolves too slow. I mean, you have this really **** ship to start with and absolutely no options. Some may argue in favour of this, but besides Binding of Isaac, I never seen a game do this properly. It's 5 frustrating gameplays in a roll, then on your next play you find a cool iten at the start, but hey, on the next jump, there is an unbeatable enemy and, well, you had the ilusion of fun for 45 minutes before being heavily frustrated again. Why don't you have a option of surrendering resources/weapons in order to flee ? There are different encounters, there should be different options. I deeply dislike game in which the developers want you to play in a specific way and you HAVE to like it.

    PROS: The game makes a huge effort of diversifying the encounters, has a great atmosphere that pressure you to go foward and the gameplay is enjoyable and it makes sense.

    Overall, I think labeling things as rogue-like is a good modern excuse for lazy developing. You can control probabilities of events and rewards as you progress and STILL have the caothic atmosphere of what rogue-like games require.    … Expand
  28. Azzanation
    Mar 13, 2020
    10
    To this day, FTL is still one of my favourite Rogue Like Indy games. Its brutally difficult however addicting with an amazing sound track and a clever art style. If you have a PC this needs to be played if you are looking for a challenging experience.
  29. Budgerigan
    Mar 5, 2020
    10
    Probably, this is one of the best indie game. I like everything in this game, especially soundtrack. Balance is great, even the game is pretty hard.
  30. Wiebe
    Feb 26, 2020
    9
    The best rogue like, high replayability, just amazing fun for a simple game.
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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

All reviews »
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
See all critic reviews »