FTL: Faster Than Light (2012): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 89 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 4.5

Runs today5 / 5
Design today3.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Overwhelmingly Positive

75,052 reviews95% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2012
Developer: Subset Games
Genre: Indie, Simulation, Strategy
Best version today: The free Advanced Edition update is included and is the version to play, adding ships, events and systems that most players consider part of the game.
Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does FTL: Faster Than Light run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Expected to work. It is sold for Windows today and no problem is on record. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	Steam sells a Mac version. Not yet confirmed on Apple Silicon. SourceNo player reports yet
Linux	Yes, there is a native Linux version. SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Playable, as rated by Valve: it works, but may need some manual configuration. SourceNo player reports yet

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Synopsis

A roguelike space strategy game in which you captain a small Federation ship racing across the galaxy with vital data while a rebel fleet closes in. You jump between star systems, handle random events, manage crew and power, and fight tense real-time battles that you can pause at any moment. Each run is short, and losing your ship means starting over with a new galaxy.

What people say

Critics welcomed it as a small indie game with remarkable depth, praising its tense, pausable ship battles and the stories that emerge from random events. Players still call it one of the defining roguelikes and note that it runs on almost any hardware, including Linux and Steam Deck. The most common complaint is how much luck decides a run, with some boss fights and events feeling unfair. Its steep learning curve sends many newcomers to wikis.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 5 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✓Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
–Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 3.5 / 5

✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardEverything is done with the mouse and a pause key, which players find comfortable; there is no native controller support, though Steam Deck players report it works. Source: pcgamingwiki.com, vaporlens.app.
✓Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensThe pixel-art interface is clear and scales cleanly to 1440p and 4K, though it is pillarboxed on ultrawide screens. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
✗Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressThe game saves only when you quit and losing the ship ends the run, so an hour or more of progress can vanish by design. Source: vaporlens.app.
✗It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressThe learning curve is steep, and many players rely on wikis and guides to understand events, systems and builds. Source: vaporlens.app.
✓Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingRuns are short and focused with no filler, though some players find long-term replay value limited; evidence on this point is thin. Source: vaporlens.app.
✓Camera and movement never fight the playerThe fixed view of both ships shows everything at once, so there is no camera to fight. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.