Jump Ship Preview: Sci-Fi Co-Op Shooter Blends High-Seas Adventure with Polished Fun

About a year ago, I first encountered Jump Ship at the Game Developer’s Conference, a four-player sci-fi PvE shooter that fuses elements from Sea of Thieves, Left 4 Dead, and FTL into a uniquely captivating experience. Recently, I played the latest build alongside its developers, and it’s clear this indie gem could shine brightly in a crowded year of releases. As it gears up for an Early Access launch this summer, Jump Ship feels more refined and engaging than ever.

For those new to Jump Ship, it’s a dynamic space adventure for up to four players. Keepsake Games is also crafting a solo mode, responding to player feedback with AI assistants to help navigate the ship. The Prologue introduces this, doubling as a tutorial for mechanics like shooting, space-suit flight, ship piloting, and combat, while laying the groundwork for the game’s lore.

Jump Ship - Closed Beta Screenshots

Jump Ship now boasts a compelling story woven into its PvE core. A galaxy-wide virus has corrupted machines, and you, as an Atiran, must venture to the galaxy’s heart to stop it. Missions, procedurally generated across sectors, range from 10-minute sprints to hour-long challenges. The Jump Map’s color-coded choices signal the danger level of each path, balancing risk and reward.

Aiding your journey is Iris, a non-infected AI introduced in the Prologue, who narrates your missions. This adds structure to Jump Ship’s robust gameplay foundation. The Hangar serves as your hub, where you can spend in-game currency to customize outfits, view the Galaxy Map, or even kick around a soccer ball during downtime.

The four-player gameplay is a thrill. Missions rarely go smoothly—enemy attacks might force one player to pilot the ship, firing basic weapons, while another mans the 360-degree cannon. Others could be outside, mag-booted to the hull, fending off attackers. If the ship takes damage, someone must rush inside to extinguish fires, ensuring critical systems, like the all-important pizza-maker, stay operational.

Jump ShipKeepsake GamesQ3 2025

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Upon reaching your destination, all four players disembark to infiltrate structures housing valuable loot. Infected robots swarm relentlessly, demanding tight teamwork. A grappling hook speeds up movement on the ground and in space. Securing the loot means one player carries it back to the ship while others provide cover.

My demos, both last year and recently, were brief but proved Jump Ship’s short-burst appeal—you don’t need endless hours to enjoy it. However, I’ve yet to see the full scope of its procedurally generated missions to gauge their replayability. Still, everything points to a potential hit. Jump Ship has all the makings of a standout title, and I’m eager to dive deeper.