.. the best. But!
Let me borrow one sentence from one review below:
"The game is based around entirely random encounters; adaptation is a virtue."
You can be good player but you cannot entirely escape randomness in this game.
I have to admit that I'm not really good at this game. But I like to play it. It's good.
I often accuse randomness but it's not true. It's quite possible to finish this game.
You just have to be patient and careful.
This game is an absolute GEM; I think a quick google-search or a read of the other reviews here gives more insight than i could add here. Even if you dont like rogue-likes; give this a chance!
What i would like to add though is, that besides an increeeedible replayability this game also has a modding environment these days; so if you played this dry, search for "FTL Multiverse Mod" and enjoy basically this 10/10 game all over again.
FTL represents more than just a great, GOG 5-Star rated game, enough reviews have discussed that (and I agree 100%) FTL represents the end of the gaming world as it's known through public fundraising efforts.
FTL's success means that large corporations run by individuals disconnected with what the customer actually wants, no longer get to call the shots.
Now, as long as gamers put their money where their mouth is, any great idea by passionate people such as the creators of FTL, has a chance to survive and thrive. Platforms like GOG will help make this possible.
Worth 3x the amount it charges, this is a great game, a representation of gaming in it's purest form: people making something FUN for the sole reason of being FUN, and sharing that with like-minded others.
I had a ship of energy beings, protected by a special energy shield, firing a powerful slicing laser. 3 sectors later no one of the original crew (or race) was alive, just a single human cruised a sector of aggressive insect people. Another 2 sectors later my ship was fully manned again, just to get forked by an elite rebel fighter.
FTL is a space simulator which throws one danger after another at you, provides you with interesting weapons and technology and requires a new level of microing, defending and controlling your own ship while targeting and boarding the enemy ship. Get it here on gog, since you probably won't find a cheaper online version.
I don't give 5-star reviews lightly, but this game absolutely earns it.
Pros:
* Gripping tactical combat. It's challenging, and your choices *matter*. It's not easy to win, and there is an element of randomness, but that's part of the fun. There are players who can win fairly consistently, so it's not all luck-of-the-draw.
* Lots of options (even more with the new AE content). Tons of ships to unlock, each with their own types of winning strategies. Several alien races to recruit, each with their own strengths. Tons and tons of ship enhancements available (mind control units, drones, hacking tools, fire bombs ... )
* You can play a whole game in less than an hour or two, and it's very easy to pick up and go.
* Absolutely stupidly addictive, and just a joy to play. Beating the game is always satisfying, and having built-in achievements and ships to unlock enhances replayability.
Cons:
* Uh ... graphics, I guess? Some people might want something fancy and 3-D. This isn't for them.
* It's a roguelike, so you can't save before a fight and reload if it doesn't go well. That's part of what I love about it (it makes fights much more exciting), but some people might not like that.
Overall, it's one of the best games I've played in years.
