Aaaaaand tada we are returning to indie lang! π the corwd goes wild, waaaa π
I feel like i say this more often than I do, but this game was a trendsetter. π It is also timeless, which puts it into a very special group of games. It redefined the Roguelite/like genre and opened the eyes of many would-be developers as to the possibilities of procedural generation.
Suffice to say, i am very happy to be covering it. ππππππ
ThuslyβοΈ In this edition of Through the Lens π, we'll be looking at Subset Games' innovative space ship simulator/survival game from 2012: FTL: Faster Than Light, Roll it! π½
π© UP TOP π©
If you're new to my content, I always recommend giving the game's soundtrack a listen while reading. Who knows? It might inspire you to give it a shot - and believe me, this game deserves a shot. π«
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWlHjpKmvh8
I played this game when it first came out, and have spent an ungodly amount of time customising and destroying ships. π Once you get the basic game loop going, it is highly addictive. Specially as how you can play it for hours on end and still discover new scenarios. π
Nowadays it has so much more content. The experience is even better. There's more. More of what? Stop being so nosey and maybe I'll tell you...
Just kidding, I'll tell you anyways. π
π€ SPACESHIP SIMULATOR π€
You play as the resistance! // as you do in space simulators, I guess.*
It is your job to get through a series of procedurally placed nodes before the establishment's pursuer ships catch up to you. Each run is different in which nodes are where, and the encounters they present. π
In the beginning of the game you chose a ship type. Each one has a specific crew assigned to it. You can rename each member and slightly customize them. (I'm really into role-playing in video games, so this is always a plus for me π). You can, of course, get new members throughout your journey, either from events or just buying some from a vendor.
The crewmembers, manage the ship! π± Each member has specific predispositions to be good at tasks. These tasks are divided dependant on which room they are using. The crew improves the production of whatever room they are in.
These rooms hold precious systems that keep your ship flying. These are:
- πΊ Main systems πΊ Shields; Engines; Medbay; Clone Bay; Oxygen; Crew Teleporter; Cloaking; Mind Control; Artillery Beam; Flak Artillery; Hacking; Weapon Control; Drone Control
- π» Subsystems π» Piloting; Sensors; Door System; Backup Battery
The function of each system is pretty evident by its name. It will take too long for me to explain each, and it will be too boring for you. π // I indeed care about my reeders, and my word count, but mostly my readers.
Each system can be upgraded, damaged and repaired, and hacked. Either in combat or by events.
WHAT ARE THESE EVENTS? Stop houting, sheesh.
πβπ¨ PROCEDURAL GENIUS πβπ¨
So, your ship travels (or I should say, is escaping) through the galaxy from one node to the other. Each node consumes precious fuel which you need to keep going. Run out of fuel, and your stuck... π¬
As would be obvious, each node represents a location you could go to. At said location you could encounter a variety of events. From body snatching aliens invading your ship, to an empty spooky abandoned ship that may/or may not contain valuable loot. Or just death. That too. π
You need to go through several sectors in order to catch up with your fellow resistance fighters in the resistance fleet. i.e the end game. Each node is determined once you travel to said system, and the layout of each system is also procedurally generated.
Combat is of course, the primary encounter, and I gotta be honest, it's pretty fun. π It works on a turn-based system where you have to target the enemy ship's system while they try to do the same. Taking out their oxygen, for instance, will slowly kill their crew members. While disabling their engines will prevent them from fast traveling away and escaping the battle.
Same applies to you, of course.
There are horror stories, reunions of lost brothers, and spy thrillers. Each procedurally spawned, each randomized. This level of possibility was jaw dropping when it came out. And the simplistic art-style and well-made design, has made this game timeless. π΄
π LEGACY π
FTL is in a league of its own. If you like this type of game, then you will LOVE it. It will consume your life, make you leave your wife, and settle any strife. Whaeras, if you care for it not, you could just... stop. βπ€
That was me dropping the mic if you didn't notice. I know jokes shouldn't be explained, but I was proud of that one. Moving on.
As we already mentioned, this game opened the eyes of many developers to what was truly possible with procedural generation. The game design in this game is flawless. And I don't say that loosely. There are few games that can have that achievement. But this one sure does. The design is so beautiful it could make a grown man cry.. π
The short of it - one of the best indie games you have ever played. Timeless, and genuinely designed. It will forever be engraved into the annals of gaming history. An achievement of indie gaming, and a masterclass in production quality.
A one of a kind if there ever was one.
Shout-out to the πPIZZAπ gang, π€ gang. π€
This was such a fast write-up you guys have no idea. π It was also a fun write-up, which I guess the two go hand in hand. Regardless, I love talking about games I love, and this one is near the top of that list.
Suffice to say, i wholeheartedly recommend this one. π While writing this I couldn't help but re-download this beauty. I really hope anyone reading that has never tried it -does. You will not regret it. Even if you think these games aren't for you. The learning curve is so shallow that you will quickly get engrossed and addicted.
Now, if you don't want to add another addition to your life, I understand completely.
π Follow me on my HIVE blog π
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a nice day. π
Return from FTL: Faster Than Light π½ Through the Lens to ΠΠΎΡΠΊΠΎ's Web3 Blog
