It was almost exactly one year ago that I had the privilege of being introduced to Jump Ship at the Game Developer’s Conference. This four-player sci-fi PvE shooter masterfully combines elements from Sea of Thieves, Left 4 Dead, and FTL, creating a unique experience that immediately caught my attention. Having recently played the latest build alongside some of the developers, I am confident that if any indie game can make a significant impact in this year's crowded release calendar, Jump Ship is the one to watch. As it approaches its Early Access launch this Summer, it's more polished and enjoyable than ever.

For those unfamiliar with Jump Ship, it's a non-grindy space adventure designed for up to four players. However, it's worth noting that Keepsake Games has listened to player feedback and is developing ways for solo players to enjoy the game as well. They plan to introduce narratively crafted AI assistants to help manage the ship, offering a single-player experience. You can get a taste of this in the Prologue, which serves as both a tutorial and a lore-builder, introducing you to key gameplay mechanics such as shooting, flying in your space suit, and ship combat.

Jump Ship - Closed Beta Screenshots

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Jump Ship now boasts a compelling story integrated with its core PvE gameplay. The narrative 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 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 indicate the level of danger associated with each mission, ensuring you know what you're getting into. Higher risks promise greater rewards.

Aiding you on your journey is Iris, a non-infected AI you encounter in the Prologue, who serves as a narrator during your missions. This adds a welcome layer of structure to the robust gameplay foundation. The Hangar acts as your base of operations, where you can spend in-game currency on outfits, explore the Galaxy Map, and even play soccer during downtime.

The core four-player gameplay is where Jump Ship truly shines. Missions rarely go as planned, adding to the excitement. You might find yourself piloting the ship and using the pilot's chair weapons while another player operates the ship's 360-degree-pivoting cannon. Meanwhile, others could be mag-booted to the ship's hull, engaging enemy ships. If your ship takes damage, you'll need to rush inside, grab a fire extinguisher, and navigate through vents to put out fires, ensuring your ship remains operational.

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Upon reaching your destination, all four players disembark and navigate the structure to retrieve the loot. You'll face relentless, infected robots, making teamwork crucial. Your grappling hook allows for swift movement both on the ground and in space, and once you secure the loot, one player must carry it back to the ship while the others provide cover.

Both my demo last year and the recent one were brief, demonstrating that Jump Ship is enjoyable in short bursts, making it accessible without demanding too much time. However, I haven't yet experienced the full scope of the mission structure and the variety offered by procedural generation to fully assess its replayability. Nonetheless, everything I've seen so far suggests that Jump Ship has the potential to be a major hit. With all the right elements in place, I eagerly anticipate playing more of this promising game.