Exoborne: Extraction Shooter with a Unique Twist

In the world of extraction shooters, the core mantra is simple: get in, secure the loot, and get out. The upcoming game, Exoborne, adheres to this formula but elevates it with an adrenaline-pumping twist thanks to its super-powered Exo-Rigs, dynamic weather effects, and the ever-exciting grappling hooks. After spending around 4-5 hours with the game at a recent preview event, I can say that while it didn't leave me craving "one more drop," Exoborne certainly has the potential to make a significant impact in the extraction shooter genre.

Let's dive into the Exo-Rigs, which are central to Exoborne's unique identity. Currently, there are three types of Exo-Rigs available: Kodiak, Viper, and Kestrel. The Kodiak provides a shield while sprinting, protecting your head, and allows for a devastating ground slam that causes massive area damage. The Viper, on the other hand, rewards aggressive play with health regeneration upon killing or downing enemies and offers a powerful, far-reaching melee attack. Lastly, the Kestrel focuses on mobility, enabling higher jumps and temporary hovering, trading offensive power for agility. Each Exo-Rig can be further customized with modules, enhancing their unique abilities, though the limited selection of just three suits feels somewhat restrictive. Developer Shark Mob has yet to share plans for additional Exo-Rigs, leaving room for future expansion.

Personally, I found immense satisfaction in swinging into battle like Spider-Man with the grappling hook and unleashing the Kodiak's ground slam to wreak havoc. However, experimenting with the other suits was equally enjoyable. The shooting mechanics in Exoborne are solid, with guns offering a satisfying kick and melee attacks delivering a powerful punch. Utilizing the grappling hook to glide across the map adds a thrilling dimension to movement, far superior to traditional running. The game's dynamic weather system can either aid or impede your progress; tornados can boost your aerial mobility, while heavy rain can render your parachute ineffective. Additionally, fire tornadoes enhance your movement capabilities but pose a deadly threat if you venture too close.

Risk vs. Reward

Risk versus reward is at the heart of Exoborne's design. Upon dropping into the game, a 20-minute timer begins, after which your location is broadcast to all players. You then have 10 minutes to reach an extraction point or face a killswitch. You can extract at any time if you have the funds to call for transport, but the longer you stay, the more loot you can accumulate. Loot is scattered throughout the map, in containers, on the ground, and from defeated AI enemies, but the most valuable loot comes from other players, allowing you to claim their gear and collected items.

In addition to regular loot, artifacts represent the ultimate prize. These high-value loot boxes require both the artifact itself and an artifact key to open, and their locations are visible to all players, often leading to intense PvP encounters. Similarly, certain areas on the map are fortified with strong AI enemies, challenging players to risk more for better rewards.

This setup creates a tense atmosphere and emphasizes the importance of communication within your squad. Even if you're downed, you're not out of the fight thanks to self-revive options and the ability for teammates to resurrect you, provided they can reach your body in time. However, this process is time-consuming and leaves you vulnerable to enemy squads.

After my demo, I left with two main concerns. First, Exoborne seems designed to be played with a dedicated group of friends. While solo play and matchmaking with strangers are possible, they aren't as effective, which could be a drawback for casual fans like myself who lack a committed squad. This issue is exacerbated by the game's non-free-to-play model.

Second, the late-game experience remains unclear. Game Director Petter Mannefelt mentioned that the late game will focus on PvP and player rankings, but specifics were not provided. While PvP encounters were enjoyable, the downtime between battles was too long to make me eager for more purely for the PvP aspect.

We'll keep an eye on Exoborne as it progresses, especially with its upcoming playtest scheduled from February 12 to the 17th on PC.