Let me first say this... I love FTL. I’m not one to like real-time strategy games, but this is a MAJOR exception for me, as Subset Games did a phenomenal job developing this game. While the difficulty and perma-death system can be vexing at times, there is one thing that must be fixed to make the experience better than it is now... The final boss.In one play-though I experienced, where I was close to defeating the Rebel Flagship. In this case, I was at low hull integrity, the Flagship was at a similar state of disrepair, and there was a system that could repair some of my damage. Naturally, I decided to take that opportunity to better insure my victory. Unfortunately, when I went back to finish off the Flagship, IT was back to full health, and I was annihilated within a few minutes. Simply put, have a system put in so enemy ships maintain the damage you inflicted on them as it could make the game slightly easier, but not so easy that it would take away from the game’s experience.

This is an excellent spaceship sim but too much relies on luck not skill. While randomness is part of its charm, all it takes is a a couple of bad events to seriously hinder your game, even if you're doing well. Make a bad roll on an encounter and a crew member could die or your hull takes several hits of damage. Couple unlucky missile hits and your oxygen is now seriously running low or a couple rooms are on fire. Having skill can help you somewhat in anticipating these events and prepare accordingly but there's only so much you can do with the resources available. Took me about a week before I could finally beat all three stages of the boss on easy. Another weakness is that for the entire game you have to gear according to what you need on the final encounter. What might be working for you now won't necessarily allow you to win the game. After I beat this boss and after several more failed attempts in other ships, I've no longer have much motivation to play and put all with all this frustration. Easy mode should be that easy. I think the only difference in modes is how. I have resources you get each encounter. I'd really hate to put up with this game on harder levels. No longer fun for me and I'm quitting.

I only have a couple hours on this game but it’s already starting to grate on me. As others have said, it’s mostly about luck. The graphics look good. The premise is decent and I like the layout and interface. The tutorial is helpful enough. What this game really needs is a save feature since all it takes is one bad encounter and your work goes up in flames, with starting from scratch (or deleting the thing) as your only option. Most games I make it a few turns before I’m done. Some have gone bad on the first stop. A couple were actually starting to look hopeful with added weapons, extra crew, and buffed equipment, but again one bad run in and “poof”, gone. It’s pretty frustrating to get boarded and watch helplessly as your systems and 6 person crew are decimated room by room with absolutely nothing you can do about it. With the gameplay of this thing starting to look like all stick, no carrot, and lottery odds to beat a level, I suspect my interest here will be short lived. That’s not being a “wuss”. Some people just prefer games that require actual eye/hand coordination and real problem solving skills over something that caters to mindless tenacity.

For anyone who loves RTS games, this will be a unique RTS. For those who can’t do strategy, you will lose over and over until you understand it. Most of the time if you die, it is your fault. To date I haven’t beaten the boss but I have had more fun losing than I have had winning in other games. Those who complain about the high difficulty either need to practice or they need to stop complaining, the game is fair, you do the same damage with the same weapon that your enemy has and that doesn’t change, the difficulty level changes the boss a little and the scrap levels. Some deaths are caused by the random nature of this game, but most are due to player error with weapon timing, being unable to prioritize upgrades, or being unable to multitask. The music is fantastic, couldn’t find a better place to put that so it is here. Overall I would highly recommend this game with a warning that you will lose.