Jump Space Sets Release Date: Why This Space Co-op Shooter Has Real Helldivers 2 Energy

Why Jump Space Is More Than Just Another Co-op FPS

I’ll be honest: most “space co-op shooters” promise the universe and deliver a small asteroid. But when Jump Space (previously Jump Ship) racked up over a million Steam wishlists after its Next Fest demo, it felt like everyone in my gaming group suddenly had their eyes on the stars. The newly-announced September 19 early access launch might just land right when co-op shooter fans are looking for their next obsession-especially those who’ve burned through Helldivers 2 and are itching for something fresh but familiar.

• Mixes tight Helldivers 2-style co-op with seamless No Man’s Sky-inspired planet-hopping.
• Game-changing: you actually fly your ship between missions instead of loading screens.
• Keepsake promises major upgrades for early access, including persistent progression and new gear.
• Supports both solo play and squads-your Buddy Bot can be your AI wingman if friends bail.

The Real Draw: Co-op That’s More Than Just “Drop In, Shoot Stuff”

Jump Space doesn’t shy away from wearing its inspirations on its sleeve-but it’s not a simple Helldivers or Deep Rock Galactic clone. The second I saw the demo in action, what caught my attention was the seamless transition: one minute you’re blasting through swarms on a planet surface, the next you’re physically piloting your battered ship back into orbit, not just staring at a static loading screen. That’s the sort of immersion space shooters always hype, but rarely nail.

The mission flow also borrows the best bits from recent co-op hits: a galaxy map with branching missions à la Helldivers’ campaign, but with proper incentives to wander and actually finish what you start (loot, danger, and always the risk a choked jump drive will force a mid-mission scramble). This is the kind of moment-to-moment uncertainty that keeps groups invested and prompts those legendary “did you see what just happened?!” Discord stories.

The Evolution of Space Shooters—and Why Jump Space Feels Well-Timed

This launch comes at a perfect time. While No Man’s Sky finally redeemed itself and Starfield felt (to me and plenty of others) more like a single-player RPG than a true squad shooter, there’s a gap for tightly coordinated sci-fi action where co-op is more than an afterthought. Helldivers 2 proved the appetite is real, but most games still either do tense ship combat or hectic on-foot shooting—not both, and not with real co-op depth.

Keepsake’s boldest move is ditching the hard line between ground and space. Need to make in-space repairs, loot a derelict, or defend your jump during a surprise battle? You’re there, not just watching it. This leans into the kind of sci-fi fantasy shooters like Destiny or Warframe evoke, but rarely deliver in a persistent, mission-driven format.

Early Access Isn’t a Dirty Word—If the Devs Deliver

It’s hard not to be cautious, though. Early access in 2024 is a double-edged sword—sometimes you get Baldur’s Gate III style polish and progress, other times it’s a graveyard of abandoned promises. But Keepsake isn’t hiding: they’re promising persistent progression, more enemies, weapons, a public server browser, and regular improvements out the gate. The real test will be whether the “moment-to-moment” polish matches the high concept once the servers fill up and the bugs crawl out.

I’m also loving the addition of the Buddy Bot for solo players. As someone whose squad always has that one flake, a proper AI partner is essential. If it avoids the classic useless-companion pitfall (looking at you, early Borderlands), that’ll go a long way toward making solo runs viable while still feeling part of the wider game world.

Is Jump Space the Next “One More Mission” Game?

Between galactic campaign branches, drop-in/drop-out play, actual ship management, and the promise of a chill hangout bar back at base, Jump Space is gunning for that magic “one more mission” formula. Sure, marketing always tries to sell every new shooter as “the next big co-op thing”—but this time the core loop and the sheer wishlist hype suggests Keepsake might actually stick the landing.

TL;DR

Jump Space could be the sci-fi co-op shooter Helldivers and Deep Rock fans have been wishing for—if Keepsake can deliver on their demo’s promise and maintain the momentum into early access. Real ship piloting, campaign depth, and proper squad mechanics could make this your group’s next obsession. But as always: keep your blasters ready, and your expectations realistic until the rubber meets the launchpad.