FTL: Advanced Edition

10/10

Time flies by when you play this game!

It's FTL!The best space-exploration rogue-like! Killer soundtrack!

Roguelike games don't have to be your favourite a genre in order for you to have fun with this diamond in the rough. You definitely get bang for your buck out of this: no playthrough is the same thanks to random weapon and item unlocks, as well as random events. Multiple playthroughs are still rewarded via the 9 unlockable ships--and each ship has an additional layout you can unlock, leading to 18 unique customizations. I've personally unlocked 6 out of 9 of the ships, of which I'm only missing 2 layouts, and they all make for very different playstyles--the Slug Cruiser type A is currently my favourite, but this only goes to show how much variation this little game manages to pack in. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses, but the same basics: manage your systems, power, crew (6 different races!), weapons, and repairs properly. Sounds easy enough, right? As long as you're also prepared to fight off boarders, put out fires, deal with enemy drones, and fly through ion storms, solar flares, and asteroid fields. It took me about 16 hours before I was able to defeat the boss the first time (and definitely play on Easy first) and since then I've put another 16 hours into the game--it's a game I don't feel bad about being addicted to. Overall, FTL is infinitely replayable, and the flexibility in the gameplay makes you feel like a true captain of a starship, where you have to adapt to different circumstances at each and every beacon. I can't recommend this little gem enough!

Back in the 1980s I used to love playing a game called Psi-5 Trading Company, where you had to navigate through a couple of menus just to start the engines of your ship. FTL is much more accessible, but hard as nails nonetheless. If you are thinking whether you should buy it, then ask yourself the following question - do I see myself commanding a starship? I gave it a try... and after few weeks, I found myself admiring my fleet of unlocked ships. Its great fun; check on YT for channels of streaming Gamers still playing it! For anyone remotely interested in Sci-fi, its a MUST HAVE!