Jump Ship Preview: It's Sea of Thieves Meets Left 4 Dead, and it's Even More Polished and Fun Than Last Year

Jump Ship: A Stellar Sci-Fi Shooter Poised for Launch

Almost a year ago, at the Game Developers Conference, I first encountered Jump Ship, a captivating four-player sci-fi PvE shooter. Blending elements of Sea of Thieves, Left 4 Dead, and FTL, it immediately impressed. A recent hands-on session with the developers confirmed my initial enthusiasm; this indie title has the potential to be a major breakout hit in a crowded release calendar. With an Early Access launch slated for this summer, it's more polished and enjoyable than ever.

Jump Ship offers a non-grindy space adventure for up to four players. Importantly, Keepsake Games is actively incorporating feedback to create a compelling solo experience. For single-player enthusiasts, narratively driven AI companions will assist in managing the ship. This is showcased in the Prologue, which serves as both a tutorial (covering shooting, space suit maneuvers, piloting, and ship combat) and a lore introduction.

Jump Ship - Closed Beta Screenshots

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The core PvE gameplay is now enriched by a compelling narrative. A galaxy-wide virus threatens machines, and players, as Atirans, must journey to the galaxy's core to stop it. Missions unfold across procedurally generated sectors, varying in length from 10 minutes to an hour. The Jump Map uses color-coding to indicate mission difficulty and reward potential.

A non-infected AI, Iris, discovered in the Prologue, acts as a mission narrator, providing structure to the gameplay. The Hangar serves as a central hub for spending in-game currency on customization, viewing the Galaxy Map, and even playing soccer.

The four-player gameplay is exceptionally fun. Missions involve dynamic challenges: piloting and firing weapons, operating the ship's main cannon, performing hull repairs, and extinguishing fires – all while battling enemies. Teamwork is crucial, especially during on-foot segments within structures, where players utilize grappling hooks and coordinate to secure loot and return it safely to the ship.

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While my demos were brief, they highlighted Jump Ship's engaging, bite-sized gameplay. The long-term replayability of the procedurally generated missions remains to be fully assessed, but the potential is undeniable. Jump Ship possesses all the hallmarks of a future hit, and I eagerly anticipate further playtime.