Jump Ship: Polished Pirate Zombie Shooter

One year ago at the Game Developers Conference, I first encountered Jump Ship, a four-player sci-fi PvE shooter blending elements of Sea of Thieves, Left 4 Dead, and FTL. I was immediately impressed. A recent playthrough with the developers confirmed my initial enthusiasm; Jump Ship is poised for a significant breakthrough, especially considering this year's competitive game releases. Its upcoming Early Access launch this summer showcases a refined and incredibly fun experience.

For the uninitiated, Jump Ship is a non-grindy space adventure for up to four players. Importantly, Keepsake Games is actively incorporating feedback to create a compelling solo experience. For single-player enthusiasts, narratively driven AI assistants will manage ship operations. The Prologue serves as both a tutorial (covering shooting, space suit maneuvering, piloting, and ship combat) and a compelling lore introduction.

Jump Ship - Closed Beta Screenshots

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Jump Ship's core PvE gameplay is now enhanced by a captivating narrative. A malicious virus plagues galactic machines, and players, as Atirans, must journey to the galaxy's core to eradicate it. Missions unfold through procedurally generated chains within each sector, varying in length from 10 minutes to an hour. The Jump Map's color-coded branching paths indicate mission difficulty, with greater risk promising greater rewards.

The Prologue introduces Iris, a non-infected AI acting as mission narrator, providing welcome structure to the gameplay. The Hangar serves as a central hub where players spend in-game currency on outfits, view the Galaxy Map, and even enjoy some downtime soccer.

The core four-player gameplay is exceptionally fun. Missions rarely proceed smoothly. Expect ship attacks requiring coordinated efforts: one player pilots and uses limited pilot chair weapons, another mans the ship's main cannon, while others might use magnetic boots for external hull repairs or fire suppression. Teamwork is crucial, especially during on-foot sections within structures where waves of infected robots attack. The grappling hook facilitates quick traversal, and securing loot requires coordinated protection of the player carrying it back to the ship.

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Both my previous and recent demos were brief, highlighting Jump Ship's suitability for short play sessions. However, further exploration of the mission structure and procedural generation is needed to fully assess its replayability. Despite this, the game's potential is undeniable. Jump Ship possesses all the ingredients for success, and I eagerly anticipate further playtime.