Jump Ship Preview: It's Sea of Thieves Meets Left 4 Dead, and it's Even More Polished and Fun Than Last Year

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 recently played a new build with the developers, and I'm convinced this indie game has the potential for a major breakout. Heading towards an Early Access launch this summer, it's more polished and enjoyable than ever.

For the uninitiated, Jump Ship is a non-grindy space adventure for up to four players. Keepsake Games is addressing player feedback by developing a clever single-player mode. Solo players will be aided by narratively integrated AI assistants. The Prologue serves as both tutorial and lore introduction, covering shooting, space-suit maneuvering, ship piloting, and combat.

Jump Ship - Closed Beta Screenshots

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Jump Ship now features a compelling narrative. A malicious virus infects galactic machines, and players, as Atirans, must reach the galaxy's core to stop it. Missions unfold through procedurally generated chains within each sector, varying in length from 10 minutes to an hour. The Jump Map uses color-coding to indicate mission difficulty and reward potential.

The story is enhanced by Iris, a non-infected AI discovered in the Prologue, who acts as a mission narrator. The Hangar serves as a central hub, allowing players to spend in-game currency on customization, view the Galaxy Map, and even play soccer.

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Once at the destination, players disembark and work together to secure the loot while battling infected robots. Grappling hooks aid traversal, and teamwork is crucial for protecting the player carrying the loot back to the ship.