Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Space-themed strategy game is difficult but rewarding.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
FTL: Faster Than Light
What's It About?
Players control a starship carrying vital information back to central command by charting strategic jumps from one system to the next, each loaded with potential battles. Accessing the systems is as easy as tapping the screen, but you'll need to plan out attack strategies to last. Events happen in real time, but you can pause the game for as long as you like to consider and issue orders that will be enacted once you resume play. Firing weapons and handling other functions of the ship are done via screen swipes, which are clearly explained in the tutorial.
Is It Any Good?
It's not often you get to role-play Captain Kirk. FTL: FASTER THAN LIGHT takes those sci-fi fantasies and injects a degree of strategy and reality into them, keeping players on their toes. You'll die -- a lot. But that not only teaches you how to play better, it's also part of the fun of the game. The war stories you can tell -- such as how you destroyed an enemy's ship just as their minions boarded yours, defeating your crew -- give the game a sense of community.
The game can certainly be unforgiving, but dedicated strategy fans will find a lot to love here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of thinking ahead. Are there any lessons from the game that could apply to real life?
Families also can talk about the issues raised in the game, such as piracy and slavery.
App Details
- Device : iPad
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : strategy
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : April 3, 2014
- Genre : Strategy Games
- Publisher : Subset Games
- Version : 1.5.4
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 6.0 or later
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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