Void War

Void War is a tactical roguelike space game heavily inspired by FTL, set in a grimdark, legally distinct Warhammer 40k-like universe. Players command a starship, managing crew members with unique skills and equipment, engaging in strategic ship-to-ship combat and complex boarding actions. The game expands on FTL's foundation by adding psychic abilities, crew gear, and commanders with special powers, offering deeper tactical layers.

The gameplay is praised for its rich mechanics, challenging combat, and atmospheric setting, though some players find the storyline and worldbuilding underdeveloped, with minimal narrative depth and limited faction interactions. The UI and visuals evoke a dark sci-fi tone but can feel cluttered or visually confusing. While stable overall, occasional bugs and crashes have been reported. Replayability is strong due to multiple ships, commanders, and difficulty tiers, but some feel the game lacks originality and polish compared to its inspiration.

Highlights

Players especially appreciate the deep strategic gameplay involving crew management, ship customization, and boarding mechanics. The game’s grimdark Warhammer 40k-inspired atmosphere and stylized 2D graphics create an immersive setting. The addition of psychic powers and equipment on crew members adds new tactical dimensions. The combat system, combining ship battles with visceral boarding actions, is engaging and challenging. High replay value is noted due to randomized encounters, multiple difficulty levels, and unlockable ships and commanders.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game feeling like a watered-down FTL clone with limited innovation and a linear progression path. The story and lore are shallow, lacking meaningful narrative arcs or faction dynamics. The UI is often described as cluttered or confusing, with small icons and poor clarity. Some players report balance issues such as overpowered psychic abilities and frustrating boss fights. Technical issues like occasional crashes and performance drops affect the experience. Additionally, the game’s price is considered high given the perceived lack of content depth.