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0 Jump Space is a co-op, mission-based FPS that just launched into early access on Steam and Xbox. For this preview we got hands on with the PC version. Gather up to three of your friends and follow developer Keepsake Games into the void of space. You’ll crew your own ship, fight in space and on the ground, and work together against a spreading robotic corruption. Join the resistance today!
Jump… and Shoot and Fly and Loot!
Ok before we get into it, I need to own up to something. In my opinion the Jump to Lightspeed content in Star Wars Galaxies was peak for me. It was my first experience in an MMO and I absolutely loved getting into space on a ship of my own or as part of a crew for someone else. It was a highlight in my gaming experience that I will forever pursue to feel again.
Why am I talking about Star Wars Galaxies:? Well, because Jump Space very much appeals to that itch, even if not as in depth as an MMORPG. So how does it currently hold up? Check out my thoughts, with some bonus input from others of the TC crew, below!
Gameplay
Jump Space, though playable solo, is a co-op FPS best experienced with a crew of four players. Crew your ship with friends or open up a public lobby for a pick-up group as you search for ways to withstand an enemy Legion. Players take on roles of pilot, gunner, and mechanic while engaging in space fighter combat. Then quickly switch to combat on foot as you explore and gather loot to upgrade and enhance your ship and overall experience. Don’t worry if you’re alone or understaffed though – a robot companion will come along to assist you best it can.
Just being able to jump in and actually crew a ship with other players is the primary draw for me to Jump Space. It’s something that I severely wish No Man’s Sky would add to its amazing list of ongoing content enhancement. It was my favorite experience in Star Wars Galaxies, which led me to meeting my best friend of 20 years now (only just before meeting my wife). Anyhow – whether it be piloting the ship, manning the turret, or frantically running around the ship trying to repair components and put out fires, Jump Space is here to oblige. And let me tell you – the frantic running around can be no joke! No matter what role you end up in my choice or by necessity, each shares a feeling of urgency when in the moment. Teamwork is key both on the ship and with boots on the ground.
TC Crewmates Highlights
I spent a couple of sessions with fellow Thumb Culture writers Kyle and Ruddy as crews of duos in Jump Space. We shared some common thoughts and feelings about some of the game mechanics, particularly the grapple line movement system and smooth transitions from space to “ground”. Here are each of their thoughts below:
I really enjoy how seamless it is to go from walking to flying around space. More so with the grapple. I’m not sure it’s a game I’d personally suggest for a solo game, as even playing with two players, I felt we needed more hands on deck. Gunplay is great, but flying felt a bit loose. Bit all in all Jump Space was enjoyable to play! – Kyle McGrath
My experience with Jump Space was tricky at first and gave me slight motion sickness. Yet once I got a handle of the controls and the mechanics, I really got to enjoy the chaos. I Getting to experiment with things I shouldn’t do before a jump and sling-shotting myself trying to revive Jordan in space and over shooting myself, it was great. I do love the buddy bot for those times you need help and panic on needing more ammo. My only gripe with Jump Space was not having a borderless full-screen option. – Ruddy Celestial
Public Lobbies
Once the game became publicly available I had a chance to join a couple of open lobbies. To my delight, the first lobby I joined had a host with a ship that was vastly different than my own in both size and layout. From the current content and roadmap for Jump Space, there appears to be only the two currently available to pilot but I am hoping they add more than just the additional two planned. It made for a bit of a different experience from what I had encountered thus far. I also am not sure yet of how exactly items and upgrades are shared between host and crew members, if at all. Players are able to customise the colours of their own ship as well as unlock customisations for their EV suit.
Knowing that Jump Space just hit early access, there are a couple of things I’d like to see implemented in the future. The first, voice chat, is already on the roadmap for Q1 2026. It’s not impossible to game with a crew you don’t know, but direct access to easy communication is ideal for most games with a deep teamwork focus.
My other big gripe is with the limit of having only four inventory slots, one of which is always in use. Though the latest public build did address part of what I don’t like about this limit – by adding the ability to teleport items from a pad out in a vault directly to your ship. However it still feels very restrictive and becomes obnoxiously burdensome at times. With player feedback I’m sure they may come to a more happy medium, as we don’t need 10 slots but 4 is just so few.
Graphics & Audio
The others in the TC Crew and I took on Jump Space on PC. I did tinker with a few graphics settings but left most at default, as changing some drastically shifted my FPS. As Ruddy mentions too, there is no borderless full-screen option, which seems to be more standard than not. The graphics overall are vibrant and detailed, providing just the right amount of space adventuring aesthetic. A variety of enemy types both in space and on ground also kept me from feeling that things were too repetitive. Visually or otherwise.
Audio falls in line with every other space game you could probably think of. It doesn’t have to be stellar (haha… punny) like in such a way that it feels above and beyond a simple space game. Jump Space has just the right amount of background ambiance and sound effects to fit its narrative. I think the only thing for me was the ship AI repeating things at times to got somewhat annoying. But man, hearing the buddy bot announce that he’s going to go do a specific thing like refilling your ammo when you’re in the middle of a dogfight is a lifesaver.
Longevity
The roadmap for Jump Space already outlines the amount of content currently available in addition to what is in the works. Some of that content and game improvements are already starting to be implemented. Depending on how deep Keepsake Games decides to take the game mechanics, this could very well end up being a forever game in my library. As long as I have friends to play with that is. Keepsake Games plans to have it in early access for a minimum of five months as the continue to improve and tweak the game with community input.
Final Thoughts
Jump Space is already a blast in early access. I’m hoping in the future they will add some HOTAS compatibility. But the game’s current controls and mechanics feel fluid overall in both space and on foot. It is definitely an adventure that you will want to bring friends along with if you can. I can’t wait to see what things are looking like come 1.0 release in the future. If spacing is your game, be sure to pick it up and suggest what you’d like to see too.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this preview.
If you enjoy this review, be sure to check out my other reviews here.
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