FTL, short for Faster Than Light, is a classic retro video game that’s got quite a large fan base. It is a great game which is still very enjoyable. This is all thanks to its uniqueness and great gameplay mechanics. All this is why FTL is such a popular game, and why so many people have taken a liking to it. The game is somewhat story-based, although it isn’t that necessary to pay lots of attention to it. All you need to know is that you have some very important info on your hands and you need to deliver it to your destination as quickly as possible while avoiding harm.
In the middle of a galactic war, the opposing side known as the Rebellion will be after you every step of the way. It is a roguelike that takes players through many different chambers or ‘’sectors’’ before they can finally reach the end, and each of these are generated entirely from random. Its great design and mechanics have made it an inspiration for many newer games, which is why you’ll start to find more and more games like FTL in recent times. We’ve compiled a shortlist of a few of these games which are similar to FTL in one way or another.
5 Games Like FTL
- Renowned Explorers: International Society
The first game on this list is one that takes a lot of inspiration from FTL. This game is Renowned Explorers: International Society. When you take a glance at this game and watch a few minutes of gameplay, it might not look too similar to FTL. That’s because its setting is entirely different from FTL, as it is set on the jungles of Earth rather than space. But once you get past that, it is very similar to Faster Than Light in other ways.
One of the main similarities is the lack of resources. You won’t have much to work with at all and will have to make do as long as you possibly can with the little that you’ve got. There’s also the different character types system which was also found in FTL. You’ll have all sorts of different characters to work with, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. That’s why you’ll have to come up with the best composition possible in order to go as far as you can in Renowned Explorers: International Society.
- Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space
When it comes to games that are a lot like FTL, this is definitely one of the top names on anyone’s list. This game is a lot like FTL in many different aspects, and that’s because it entirely draws its inspiration from it. Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space is heavily inspired by FTL which is very easily noticeable. It takes lots of the same mechanics and features from the game and adds some of its own to perform a new experience which is quite enjoyable.
Much like FTL, Weird Worlds is a roguelike that is set in the infinite abyss of space. Players have to be as tactical as possible and make as much progress as they can while uncovering more and more mysteries regarding the story of the game. It is definitely worth giving a shot and is a fresh experience that FTL fans will surely love.
- Escape Velocity Nova
Escape Velocity Nova is the oldest name that you’ll find on this list. It is another game that’s similar to FTL and provides the same classic retro feel. The game was released back in 2002, meaning that it’s much older than even FTL itself. While most other games on this list draw inspiration from Faster Than Light, you could argue that Faster Than Light draws some inspiration from Escape Velocity Nova and the Escape Velocity series in general.
Escape Velocity Nova is arguably the best in its franchise, as it is certainly the most polished and well designed. The levels are well made, the setting of space is quite similar to the one that FTL players are familiar with, there’s even the strategic gameplay as well as the resource management. It becomes clear that FTL and Escape Velocity are quite similar once you start to play it, which is why you should definitely give the latter a choice if you’re a fan of the former.
- Darkest Dungeons
This is another game that looks and sometimes feels as if it’s very different from FTL, but that isn’t entirely the case. The setting of Darkest Dungeon is completely different, so this isn’t the choice for you if you’re looking for a game that provides that space environment that FTL provides. But this is definitely a great alternative to FTL if you’re looking for a great roguelike that challenges players a lot technically. It is turn-based, so the combat isn’t very similar either. But there is the character type system which players have to learn and carefully use different tactics and character types to their advantage, much like FTL.
- Crying Suns
This is arguably the best alternative to FTL that you’ll find in the entire list, as it nails all the different aspects of FTL as good as it can. It is a tactical roguelike set in space and players take command of a crew while managing resources. That sounds more than familiar to FTL fans, and it’s exactly what Crying Suns is. The only major differences that you’ll note between Crying Suns and Faster Than Light are narration related differences.
Crying Suns puts a much larger focus narrative than FTL does. In fact, every single run that you play in this roguelike will further build on the story, and you’ll be uncovering more and more mysteries about all the characters in the game, and yourself as well. It features lots of similarities to FTL and even has that great tactical combat. Like all the other games mentioned so far, Crying Suns is definitely a good alternative to FTL.