It was almost exactly one year ago at the Game Developer's Conference that I first encountered Jump Ship, a captivating four-player sci-fi PvE shooter that ingeniously combines elements from Sea of Thieves, Left 4 Dead, and FTL. Having recently played the latest build alongside some of the developers, I am convinced that if any indie game can make a significant impact in a year already filled with major releases, Jump Ship is a strong contender. As it gears up for an Early Access launch this Summer, it's more polished and enjoyable than ever before.
If you're new to Jump Ship, it's a non-grindy space adventure designed for up to four players. Notably, it's not strictly multiplayer; Keepsake Games is actively integrating feedback to create a compelling experience for solo players. This includes the addition of narratively crafted AI assistants that help manage the ship, allowing you to enjoy the game in single-player mode. The Prologue not only serves as a tutorial, introducing key gameplay mechanics like shooting, space suit flying, ship piloting, and combat, but also sets the stage for the game's lore.
Jump Ship - Closed Beta Screenshots
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Jump Ship now enriches its core PvE gameplay with a compelling narrative. A malicious virus has spread across machines throughout the galaxy, and as an Atiran, your mission is to trace it to its source at the galaxy's heart and stop it. You'll navigate through procedurally generated mission chains in each sector, with missions ranging from 10 minutes to an hour. The Jump Map color-codes your choices, indicating the level of danger and potential rewards, ensuring you know what you're getting into.
Jump Ship introduces Iris, a non-infected AI discovered in the Prologue, who narrates your missions, adding structure to the robust gameplay. The Hangar acts as your base of operations, where you can spend in-game currency to customize your outfits, explore the Galaxy Map, and even enjoy a game of soccer during downtime.
The core four-player gameplay remains exhilarating. Missions rarely go as planned; your ship can be attacked en route, requiring one player to pilot and use the pilot's chair weapons, while another operates the ship's main weapon station, controlling a 360-degree-pivoting cannon. Meanwhile, the other two players might be outside the ship, mag-booted to the hull and engaging enemy ships. If your ship is damaged, players must rush inside, grab a fire extinguisher, navigate through vents, and extinguish fires to keep everything operational—even the quirky pineapple pizza-maker!
Jump ShipKeepsake Games WishlistUpon reaching your destination, all players disembark and proceed on foot to retrieve the loot, facing relentless waves of infected robots. Teamwork is crucial, and the grappling hook facilitates swift movement both on the ground and in space. Once the loot is secured, one player must carry it back to the ship while the others provide cover.
