Just about a year ago, during the Game Developers Conference, I stepped into a meeting and was introduced to Jump Ship, a captivating four-player sci-fi PvE shooter that masterfully blends elements from Sea of Thieves, Left 4 Dead, and FTL. Recently, I had the privilege of playing the latest build alongside some of the developers, and I'm convinced that if any indie game can make a significant impact in a year already brimming with stellar releases, Jump Ship is my top contender. As it gears up for an Early Access launch this Summer, it's become more polished and enjoyable than ever before.
If Jump Ship is new to you, let me introduce you to a non-grindy space adventure designed for up to four players. It's worth noting that I deliberately avoided calling it a multiplayer game because Keepsake Games, the team behind Jump Ship, has been actively responding to player feedback. They're crafting a clever way for solo players to immerse themselves in the game, too. With narratively constructed AI assistants, you can man the ship on your own and still enjoy a rich experience. The Prologue not only serves as an engaging tutorial, introducing you to essential mechanics like shooting, flying in a space suit, and navigating and piloting the ship, but it also weaves in captivating lore.
Jump Ship - Closed Beta Screenshots
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A significant addition to Jump Ship is its much-appreciated narrative that enriches the core PvE gameplay. The storyline revolves around a malicious virus infecting machines across the galaxy, and it's up to you and your fellow Atirans to reach the heart of the galaxy and eradicate it. You'll navigate through procedurally generated mission chains in each sector, ranging from quick 10-minute missions to more substantial hour-long ones. The Jump Map provides color-coded choices, indicating the level of danger and potential rewards, allowing you to strategize your approach effectively.
Aiding you in your mission is Iris, a non-infected AI you encounter in the Prologue, who serves as a helpful narrator. This narrative structure enhances the already solid gameplay foundation. The Hangar acts as your base of operations, where you can spend in-game currency to buy and customize outfits, explore the greater Galaxy Map, and even enjoy a game of soccer during your downtime.
Let's dive back into the exhilarating four-player gameplay. It's truly a blast! As you embark on your mission, expect the unexpected. Your ship might be attacked en route, requiring one player to pilot and use the pilot’s chair weapons, while another operates the ship’s powerful 360-degree cannon. Meanwhile, the other two might be mag-booted outside, fending off enemy ships. If your ship gets damaged, one or more of you must rush inside, grab a fire extinguisher, navigate the vents, and douse the flames—essential for keeping that pineapple pizza-maker operational!
Jump Ship
Keepsake Games
Wishlist
Upon reaching your destination, all four players disembark and navigate the structure to secure the loot. Facing relentless, infected robots, teamwork is crucial at every turn. Your grappling hook enables swift movement both on the ground and in space, and once you've secured the big prize, one player must transport it back to the ship while the others provide cover.
Both my demo from last year and the recent one were brief, yet they confirmed that Jump Ship is enjoyable even in short sessions, so you won't need to quit your job to keep up. However, I haven't explored enough of the larger mission structure and the variety of procedurally generated content to fully assess its promise of endless replayability. Nonetheless, everything I've experienced so far points to Jump Ship having the potential to be a major hit. With all the right ingredients, it's poised to become something truly special, and I'm eager to dive in and play much more.
