"Jump Ship Preview: Sea of Thieves and Left 4 Dead Blend, Now More Polished and Fun"

It was almost exactly one year ago at the Game Developer’s Conference that I was introduced to Jump Ship, a four-player sci-fi PvE shooter that ingeniously combines elements from Sea of Thieves, Left 4 Dead, and FTL. After recently playing the latest build with some of the developers, I'm convinced that if any indie game can make a significant impact in this year's crowded release schedule, Jump Ship is a top contender. As it approaches its Early Access launch this summer, the game is more polished and enjoyable than ever.

If you're not yet familiar with Jump Ship, it's a non-grindy space adventure designed for up to four players. Interestingly, the team at Keepsake Games is actively responding to player feedback by developing features that cater to solo players as well. This means you can enjoy Jump Ship as a single-player experience with the help of narratively crafted AI assistants who will assist in managing your ship. You can experience this firsthand in the Prologue, which serves both as a tutorial—introducing you to mechanics like shooting, flying in your space suit, manning and piloting the ship, and engaging in ship combat—and as a lore-builder.

Jump Ship - Closed Beta Screenshots

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Jump Ship now enriches its core PvE gameplay with a compelling narrative. A malevolent virus has infected machines across the galaxy, and it’s up to you and your fellow Atirans to reach the galaxy's core to stop it. 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 help you gauge the danger level of each mission, hinting at the potential rewards awaiting you.

Aiding you on your journey is Iris, a non-infected AI you meet in the Prologue, who serves as a narrator throughout your missions. This adds a welcome layer of structure to the already robust gameplay. Additionally, 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 play soccer during your downtime.

The core four-player gameplay is exhilarating. Missions rarely go as planned; your ship might be attacked en route, necessitating one player to pilot and use the ship's minimal weapons, while another operates the 360-degree-pivoting cannon. Meanwhile, the other two might be mag-booted to the ship’s hull, shooting at passing enemies. If your ship gets damaged, someone must rush inside, grab a fire extinguisher, and navigate through vents to douse the flames—essential for keeping your ship, and your pineapple pizza-maker, in top condition!

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Once you reach your destination, the four of you disembark and navigate through structures to retrieve the desired loot. Facing relentless waves of infected robots, teamwork is key. A grappling hook enhances mobility, allowing quick traversal on foot and in space. Once you secure the loot, one player must carry it back to the ship while the others provide cover, ensuring a safe return.

Both my demo last year and my recent one were brief. While this highlights Jump Ship's appeal in short bursts—meaning you won't need to quit your job to keep up—it also means I haven't fully explored the larger mission structure and the variety offered by procedural generation. However, everything I've seen so far suggests Jump Ship has the potential to be a hit. With all the right elements in place, I'm eager to dive deeper into this promising game.