FTL:
Faster Than Light

FTL: Faster Than Light (2012) is a strategic simulation game where you combat enemy spaceships and survive the dangers of the galaxy. Unusually, you have complete control of every function of your ship and must manage systems, crew and scenarios. It's a hard game you play until you die and then try again. Each run is different, encouraging you to experiment with strategies. Although simple looking it's a deeply immersive experience that rewards expert strategies and calculated risk-taking.

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You play the captain of a small ship delivering a secret message of great importance to the leaders of the resistance. In your ship, which is capable of FTL (faster-than-light) travel, you need to evade capture by the rebels, engaging them in combat when you meet them, and deliver the message to safe hands.

Play involves engaging the rebels, who pilot ships of their own, in top-down real-time combat. You attack them in a variety of ways, including missiles, lasers, and troops. You can use the remains of their ships, once destroyed, to upgrade your won, and scrap salvaged can also be used as a currency to buy new crew members and items. You can choose from a variety of ships, species, and more to use, and unlock more as you progress. When you are destroyed, you restart from scratch, allowing you to retry events from different angles; using different ships, weapons and upgrades could be the key to success.

It's a unique game that combines repeated runs of games like The Binding Of Isaac but with an expanded focus on the bigger picture; resource management, good strategies and experimentation are key to your success.

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Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked FTL: Faster Than Light 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 20 months ago.