FTL: Faster Than Light was released in September 2012 and is thus almost a retro title. It comes from the indie studio Subset Games, which also serves as its publisher. The game is not only a small Kickstarter miracle (raising over 2,000% of its funding goal) but also a milestone for the roguelike genre. It was one of the first titles to cleverly combine procedural generation, permadeath and tactical gameplay. The basic concept is simple yet offers plenty of room for individuality: you control a small Federation spaceship tasked with transporting important data across space – all while being pursued by an overwhelming rebel fleet. Every jump from sector to sector presents new decisions. Do you attack a pirate or sneak past? Do you help a space station in distress or play it safe? Visually, the roguelike features a charming pixel-art style.
Eurogamer’s German review praised FTL: Faster Than Light at launch, highlighting its strong replay value. With quick runs of about 60 minutes and plenty of random elements, the game remains engaging over time. A key feature is the constant pressure from pursuing rebel fleets, pushing players to make fast decisions. While the game runs in real time, you can pause at any moment – a welcome feature given the challenging battles. You manage crew members, reroute power between shields and weapons, and respond to emergencies like fires or enemy boarders. This strategic depth is another reason the game received such positive reviews.
Eurogamer pointed out two main drawbacks: the steep difficulty curve and the heavy reliance on randomness. Even on "Easy," the game can be challenging, which might frustrate newcomers. Many elements are beyond the player’s control, adding to the tension – and the potential for clenched fists. Still, the gaming outlet awarded FTL: Faster Than Light a solid 8 out of 10. On Metacritic, the game holds a Metascore of 84 and a User Score of 8.3. Steam feedback is especially positive, with 95% favorable ratings from around 60,000 user reviews.
70% discount on Steam
FTL: Faster Than Light usually sells for around $10 on Steam, but it’s currently available for just $3 thanks to a 70% discount. The offer runs until July 28. However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the lowest price yet – according to SteamDB, the game was discounted by 75% back in May.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.