An old-school game, characterized by its retro style, is currently available for free to all Steam users on PC for a limited time. This offer extends until July 1, allowing players to seize the opportunity to add a new title to their collection without any cost. While users on the Steam Deck can also redeem this offer, they may encounter challenges in running the game on the handheld device. The game’s compatibility with the Steam Deck remains uncertain, as its listing simply states the status as “Unknown,” without specifying whether it is “Unsupported,” “Playable,” or “Verified.”
Game Overview
The game in question is Next Jump: Shmup Tactics, a 2017 release developed by Post Mortem Pixels and published by GrabTheGames. This turn-based tactical shoot ’em up has garnered positive feedback from players, boasting a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, with an approval rating of 81 percent.
Typically priced at .99, the current promotion may not represent a significant financial saving, but for gamers on a tight budget seeking fresh content, it serves as a delightful surprise, particularly for enthusiasts of classic gaming.
In the words of its official description, “Next Jump is a turn-based, tactics shoot ’em up. Do space-jumps on procedurally generated boards and chase the vicious Dragons who stole all the stock of Beverage from the Galaxy.”
User reviews highlight the game’s unique blend of genres. One player noted, “An unexpectedly cool tactical game with an original presentation. The developers managed to mix elements of tactics and arcade shooter.” Another review remarked on its genre-defying nature: “Well now, it’s time to review yet another roguelike… or is it a turn-based strategy game? Bullet-hell? Yep, Next Jump: Shmup Tactics is all three of these things at once. These genres seem like they absolutely should not go together… it sounds totally nonsensical. But not only is the combination viable, but it works out really well here.”
For those considering diving into this new free offering, it’s worth noting that the gameplay experience is relatively brief. While exact playtime data is scarce, most user reviews suggest that the game lasts a couple of hours at most.
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