It was almost exactly one year ago that I attended a meeting at the Game Developer’s Conference where I was introduced to Jump Ship, a captivating four-player sci-fi PvE shooter that skillfully blends elements from Sea of Thieves, Left 4 Dead, and FTL into a truly unique experience. Recently, I had the opportunity to play the latest build alongside some of the developers, and I am confident that if any indie game has the potential to make a significant impact in this year’s crowded market, Jump Ship is a top contender. As it approaches its Early Access launch this Summer, the game has become more polished and enjoyable than ever before.
For those unfamiliar with Jump Ship, it offers a non-grindy space adventure for up to four players. It's worth noting that the term "multiplayer" isn't strictly necessary here, as Keepsake Games has taken player feedback to heart and is developing a system for solo players to enjoy the game as well. This includes narratively designed AI assistants to help manage the ship, a feature you can experience in the Prologue. The Prologue not only serves as a tutorial, introducing you to essential mechanics like shooting, flying in a space suit, and handling ship combat, but also enriches the game's lore.
Jump Ship - Closed Beta Screenshots
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Jump Ship now boasts a compelling narrative that complements its core PvE gameplay. The story revolves around a malicious virus that has infected machines across the galaxy, and it's up to you and your fellow Atirans to reach the heart of the galaxy and eradicate the threat. You'll navigate through procedurally generated mission chains in each sector, with missions varying in length from 10 minutes to an hour. The Jump Map uses color-coding to indicate the level of danger associated with each branching choice, allowing you to assess the risk versus reward.
A non-infected AI named Iris, introduced in the Prologue, serves as a narrator during your missions, adding structure to the robust gameplay. The Hangar acts as your base of operations, where you can spend in-game currency on customizing your outfits, explore the broader Galaxy Map, and even enjoy a game of soccer during your downtime.
The core four-player gameplay is where Jump Ship truly shines. Missions rarely go as planned; your ship may be attacked en route, requiring one player to pilot and use the ship’s basic weapons, while another operates the more powerful, 360-degree-pivoting cannon. Meanwhile, the other two might be outside, mag-booted to the hull, engaging enemy ships. If the ship sustains damage, players must rush inside, grab a fire extinguisher, navigate through vents, and extinguish fires to keep the ship operational.
Jump ShipKeepsake Games Wishlist
Once you reach your destination, all four players disembark and enter the structure to retrieve the loot. The infected robots you face are relentless, making teamwork crucial. A grappling hook enhances mobility both on the ground and in space, and after securing the loot, one player must return it to the ship while the others provide cover.
My demos, both last year and recently, were brief, demonstrating that Jump Ship is enjoyable even in short bursts, making it manageable to fit into a busy schedule. However, I haven't yet seen enough of the larger mission structure and the variety of procedurally generated content to fully assess its replayability. Nonetheless, everything I've experienced so far points to Jump Ship having immense potential to be a hit. With all the right ingredients in place, I'm eagerly anticipating playing more of this promising game.
