Next Jump: Shmup Tactics received a 100% discount on Steam, consequently becoming free to claim. Steam users have until July 1 to take advantage of this newly introduced deal.
Developed by Brazilian collective Post Mortem Pixels, Next Jump: Shmup Tactics is a unique genre hybrid that 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 by Next Jump: Shmup Tactics's "Very Positive" Steam user reviews, based on dozens of submitted impressions.
Epic Games Store Reveals Its Free Game for July 3
The Epic Games Store reveals $40 worth of free titles that its users will be able to claim over the week-long period starting July 3.
On June 26, publisher GrabTheGames treated Next Jump: Shmup Tactics to a 100% discount. The sci-fi genre hybrid is hence free 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 Tactics is regularly priced at $3.99, and has seen frequent sales over the years—both as part of Steam events and 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 several indie game bundles that include Next Jump: Shmup Tactics and 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, and Talk 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 simulator Ale and Tale Tavern with Next Jump for $8.98—a 47% discount.
Next Jump: Shmup Tactics Is Turn-Based, Yet Fast-Paced
Regarding the freebie itself, Next Jump: Shmup Tactics may appeal to more than just hardcore 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 like Into the Breach, which pairs turn-based mechanics with the tempo of a casual puzzler. More broadly, the game may also appeal to fans of Jeanne d’Arc, Final Fantasy Tactics, Crypt of the NecroDancer, and FTL—all officially cited among its inspirations.
