Soundtrack
Faster Than Light just entered closed beta for those of us who weren't too jew to pledge to it on kickstarter. It is a rougelike game in which you control a spaceship as it soars through the endless void. Focus is on managing your crew and systems rather than doing the actual flying. this is literally the first time I click the "start game" button, so this is as blind as it gets! In before LP abandoned on page 2!
There are multiple ships to pick from (though most are locked right now). So we'll go with the default, rechristened the CSS Butthurt.
You will notice it it crewed by our beloved Codex staff. Yes, you can name your crew members. I'm sure you've all read enough codex LPs to know what this means
Rest of the update spoiler'ed to make the page load less images.
Faster Than Light just entered closed beta for those of us who weren't too jew to pledge to it on kickstarter. It is a rougelike game in which you control a spaceship as it soars through the endless void. Focus is on managing your crew and systems rather than doing the actual flying. this is literally the first time I click the "start game" button, so this is as blind as it gets! In before LP abandoned on page 2!
There are multiple ships to pick from (though most are locked right now). So we'll go with the default, rechristened the CSS Butthurt.
You will notice it it crewed by our beloved Codex staff. Yes, you can name your crew members. I'm sure you've all read enough codex LPs to know what this means
Rest of the update spoiler'ed to make the page load less images.
Every sector has an exit node that leads to the next sector. The rebels gradually take control of the sector you're in, so eventually you'll have to continue. Sectors have progressively harder enemies.
Here is the main game screen.
Hull and shields are shown at the top. Shields regenerate, hull does not. If you run out of hull points, your ship breaks apart and everyone dies a horrible death in the cold void between the stars.
Also at the top is your oxygen supply (generated by life support), your evasion chance for incomign fire (generated by engines), your fuel (used for FTL jumps), missiles/drone parts (used by somne weapons), your scrap inventory, your hyperspace jump button and the ship details button.
Along the bottom, from left-to right we have the power generator (leftmost column), main systems with allocated power, weapon systems and subsystems.
Main systems and weapons draw power from the generator. they can run at less than full power for decreased efficiency. some systems have a silhouette above their power bar. This means they can be boosted further by posting crew in their rooms on the ship.
Weapons cannot be partially powered (all or nothing) and have a charge bar on the left. Once fully charged, a weapon can be fired at an enemy, usually targetted at a specific part of the enemy ship.
Subsystems are like normal systems, except they require no power and cannot be depowered. (but they can still be damaged).
From left to right, the systems are:
shields, engines, Life Support, Medbay, Weapons, Piloting, Sensors and Doors
The ship overview has 3 tabs. The upgrades tab lets you spend scrap metal to upgrade your systems, subsystems and generator. Upgrading a system means you can allocate more power to it for increased efficiency. (Assumin you have power enough in your generator to spare).
The crew manifest shows you who you currently have on board and... apparently allows you to flush people into space. o_O
The equipment tab shows you other gear you have available for installation.
Now that we know what's what, let's get started. I allocate generator power to engines and weapons, then bee (currently in piloting) hits the HYP0RSPACE BUTTAN!
This is the current sector. We can only see the jump destinations from systems we've already visited. Some systems have special properties discovered once you get in range. Such as this distress beacon. Let's check it out...
Here is the main game screen.
Hull and shields are shown at the top. Shields regenerate, hull does not. If you run out of hull points, your ship breaks apart and everyone dies a horrible death in the cold void between the stars.
Also at the top is your oxygen supply (generated by life support), your evasion chance for incomign fire (generated by engines), your fuel (used for FTL jumps), missiles/drone parts (used by somne weapons), your scrap inventory, your hyperspace jump button and the ship details button.
Along the bottom, from left-to right we have the power generator (leftmost column), main systems with allocated power, weapon systems and subsystems.
Main systems and weapons draw power from the generator. they can run at less than full power for decreased efficiency. some systems have a silhouette above their power bar. This means they can be boosted further by posting crew in their rooms on the ship.
Weapons cannot be partially powered (all or nothing) and have a charge bar on the left. Once fully charged, a weapon can be fired at an enemy, usually targetted at a specific part of the enemy ship.
Subsystems are like normal systems, except they require no power and cannot be depowered. (but they can still be damaged).
From left to right, the systems are:
shields, engines, Life Support, Medbay, Weapons, Piloting, Sensors and Doors
The ship overview has 3 tabs. The upgrades tab lets you spend scrap metal to upgrade your systems, subsystems and generator. Upgrading a system means you can allocate more power to it for increased efficiency. (Assumin you have power enough in your generator to spare).
The crew manifest shows you who you currently have on board and... apparently allows you to flush people into space. o_O
The equipment tab shows you other gear you have available for installation.
Now that we know what's what, let's get started. I allocate generator power to engines and weapons, then bee (currently in piloting) hits the HYP0RSPACE BUTTAN!
This is the current sector. We can only see the jump destinations from systems we've already visited. Some systems have special properties discovered once you get in range. Such as this distress beacon. Let's check it out...
