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 Thrilling Sci-Fi PvE Shooter Poised for Success

Almost a year ago, at the Game Developers Conference, I was first introduced to Jump Ship, a captivating four-player sci-fi PvE shooter. Blending elements of Sea of Thieves, Left 4 Dead, and FTL, it immediately impressed me. A recent playthrough with the developers solidified my belief: Jump Ship has the potential to be a major indie breakout hit in a crowded year of game releases. Its upcoming Early Access launch this summer showcases a refined and incredibly fun experience.

Jump Ship offers a non-grindy space adventure for up to four players. Importantly, Keepsake Games is actively incorporating feedback to create an engaging solo experience. For solo players, 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, ship piloting, and combat) and a compelling lore introduction.

Jump Ship - Closed Beta Screenshots

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The core PvE gameplay is enriched by a compelling narrative. A malicious virus plagues galactic machines, and players, as Atirans, must journey to the galaxy's core to eradicate it. Missions are procedurally generated, offering varying lengths (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 guide and narrator. The Hangar serves as a central hub for spending in-game currency, customizing outfits, viewing the Galaxy Map, and even playing soccer.

The four-player gameplay is exceptionally fun. Missions are dynamic; expect ship attacks requiring coordinated efforts: piloting, weapon operation, hull repairs (even extinguishing fires to protect the vital pineapple pizza-maker!). Teamwork is key, especially during on-foot missions within structures, utilizing grappling hooks for efficient traversal. Securing loot requires careful coordination, with teammates protecting the player carrying the valuable cargo back to the ship.

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While my demos were brief, they highlighted Jump Ship's engaging short-burst gameplay. The long-term replayability of the larger mission structure and procedural generation remains to be fully explored, but the potential is undeniable. Jump Ship possesses all the elements of a potential hit, and I eagerly anticipate further gameplay.