Exoborne Is an Extraction Shooter With a Twist(er)

Exoborne: A High-Octane Extraction Shooter Preview

Get in, grab the loot, and get out – the core principle of any extraction shooter, and Exoborne is no exception. However, Exoborne elevates this formula with powerful Exo-Rigs boosting strength and mobility, dynamic weather effects, and the ever-popular grappling hook. After a 4-5 hour preview, while not immediately craving "one more run," Exoborne shows strong potential within the extraction shooter genre.

The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's identity. Three distinct rigs are currently available: the Kodiak (shield during sprints, devastating ground slam), the Viper (health regeneration on kills, powerful melee), and the Kerstrel (enhanced mobility, jumping and hovering). Each rig features unique modules for further customization. Personally, the Kodiak's combination of grappling hook maneuvers and ground slam proved incredibly satisfying, though the other rigs offered enjoyable gameplay variations. The limited selection of three rigs feels restrictive, leaving room for future expansion, though the developer, Shark Mob, remained tight-lipped on future plans.

Gunplay is satisfying, with weighty recoil and impactful melee attacks. The grappling hook enhances traversal, significantly improving map navigation compared to solely relying on foot travel. Random weather events add a layer of unpredictability, with tornadoes boosting aerial mobility and rain rendering parachutes ineffective. Fire tornadoes offer another traversal option, but carry the risk of incineration.

Risk vs. Reward Mechanics

Risk and reward are central to Exoborne's design. A 20-minute timer begins upon entry, broadcasting your location to other players upon expiration. A 10-minute window then remains for extraction, or immediate elimination. Early extraction yields less loot, but prolonged stays increase potential earnings. Loot is scattered throughout the environment, including enemy corpses and containers, with other players representing the most valuable targets.

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Artifacts, high-value loot boxes requiring keys for opening, add another layer of strategic gameplay. Artifact locations are visible to all players, creating potential for player-versus-player (PvP) encounters. Heavily guarded high-value areas further incentivize risk-taking for substantial rewards.

The design fosters intense gameplay and emphasizes squad communication. Downed players aren't immediately eliminated; self-revives are available, and teammates can revive fallen comrades, although this process is time-consuming and vulnerable to enemy attacks.

Two main concerns emerged from the preview. Exoborne strongly favors coordinated squads; solo play or random teammates are less than ideal, a common issue in squad-based tactical extraction shooters. This is exacerbated by the game's paid model. The other concern revolves around the late-game, which remains undisclosed by the developers beyond general mentions of PvP comparisons. While PvP encounters were enjoyable, the extended periods between them didn't generate anticipation for solely PvP-focused gameplay.

Exoborne's PC playtest, running from February 12th to 17th, will offer further insight into its overall potential.