This is the first time a shump ever gave me the "just one more" itch after failing a level. The ships are all mechanically interesting and the enemy variety and design helps keep each level feeling engaging. Jamestown is also one of the first times I've ever gone back to previous levels to play them again on a higher difficult just because I wanted to see what they were like. I wish I was better so I could see it through to the end! The final level is a steep jump in difficulty and has to be played on at least the second highest level of difficulty (of the initial 4 difficulty modifiers) so after a few dozen attempts I threw in the towel. The thin narrative veneer wasn't interesting enough for me to want to bash my head against the wall until I finally broke through the other side.

(I do think this would be a lot of fun in co-op just didn't have the opportunity to play it that way.)

This game is balanced around co-op. Attempting to beat it on the highest difficulties while solo will most often result upon frustration and death. Only two ships are helpful while attempting this: Gunner and Treason. The latter being DLC-exclusive, and also the singlehandedly most OP ship the game has.
This is the only ship you will be able to use to beat the game's infamous achievements that are definitely untested.

Play Jamestown+ instead. It doesn't solve everything but it's the most polished version, and it does have Treason.

The thumbnail on this video is my reaction upon earning the final achievement.