Next Jump: Shmup Tacticsreceived a 100% discount on Steam, consequently becoming free to claim.Steamusers have until July 1 to take advantage of this newly introduced deal.
Developed by Brazilian collective Post Mortem Pixels,Next Jump: Shmup Tacticsis aunique genre hybridthat blends elements of roguelites and strategy games into a turn-based tactical shoot-em-up. It was originally released via Steam in April 2017 to minimal traction, with an average of estimates from PlayTracker, SteamSpy, and VG Insights suggesting it has sold somewhere between 1,000 and 5,000 copies on Valve’s storefront as of today, eight years later. Still, its small player base appears to have liked it, as suggested byNext Jump: Shmup Tactics’s “Very Positive” Steam user reviews, based on dozens of submitted impressions.
On June 26, publisher GrabTheGames treatedNext Jump: Shmup Tacticsto a 100% discount. The sci-fi genre hybrid is hencefree to claim on Steam right now. Initially, the giveaway was listed as a five-day promotion, ending on July 3. However, as of this writing, the game’s Steam page states that the freebie will only be available until July 1, at 10am PT / 1pm ET.
Next Jump: Shmup Tacticsis regularly priced at $3.99, and has seen frequent sales over the years—both as part ofSteam eventsand due to individual discounts—dropping as low as $0.99. However, this newly launched promotion marks the first occasion on which Post Mortem Pixels' title is being given away for free on Valve’s storefront.
The ongoing giveaway is possibly a strategy to promote severalindie gamebundles that includeNext Jump: Shmup Tacticsand happen to be on sale right now. The cheapest of those is the Post Mortem Pixels Collection, which incorporates all the Brazilian collective’s games:Next Jump,Takara Cards, andTalk to Strangers. It’s currently available for $7.35, 54% off its regular price. There’s also a two-pack that bundles Scienart Games' fantasy tavern simulatorAle and Tale TavernwithNext Jumpfor $8.98—a 47% discount.
Next Jump: Shmup Tactics Is Turn-Based, Yet Fast-Paced
Regarding the freebie itself,Next Jump: Shmup Tacticsmay appeal to more than justhardcore strategy game fans, because while it’s fundamentally a turn-based experience, its gameplay is as fast-paced as its genre of choice allows. As such, this temporarily free roguelite could resonate with fans of titles likeInto the Breach, which pairs turn-based mechanics with the tempo of a casual puzzler. More broadly, the game may also appeal to fans ofJeanne d’Arc,Final Fantasy Tactics,Crypt of the NecroDancer, andFTL—all officially cited among its inspirations.
