Exoborne: Extraction Shooter with a Twist

Exoborne: A High-Octane Extraction Shooter Preview

Get in, grab the loot, and get out – the core tenets of any extraction shooter, and Exoborne is no exception. However, Exoborne elevates the 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 significant potential within the extraction shooter genre.

The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's identity. Three distinct Rigs are currently available:

• Kodiak: Offers a sprint shield and a devastating ground slam attack.
• Viper: Rewards aggressive play with health regeneration on kills and a powerful melee attack.
• Kerstrel: Prioritizes mobility with enhanced jumping and temporary hover capabilities.

Each Rig features unique upgrade modules, further customizing playstyles. While the limited three-Rig selection feels restrictive, developer Shark Mob remains tight-lipped about future additions.

The shooting mechanics feel excellent. Weapons possess a satisfying weight and recoil, melee strikes deliver impactful blows, and the grappling hook adds dynamic traversal options, surpassing the limitations of standard movement. Random weather events introduce strategic elements: tornadoes boost aerial mobility, while rain renders parachutes ineffective. Fire tornadoes offer another traversal option, but with the risk of fiery demise.

Risk vs. Reward: The Core Gameplay Loop

Risk and reward are integral to Exoborne's design. A 20-minute timer initiates upon deployment, broadcasting your location to all players upon expiration. A 10-minute extraction window follows; failure results in elimination. Early extraction yields less loot, while extended stays increase rewards found throughout the environment (ground, containers, enemy corpses). Player elimination offers the most lucrative prizes, allowing the victors to claim their fallen opponents' possessions.

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Artifacts, high-value loot boxes requiring keys for access, represent significant rewards. Their locations are visible to all players, often leading to player conflict. Heavily guarded high-value loot zones further incentivize risk-taking.

The system fosters intense gameplay and necessitates effective squad communication. Downed players aren't immediately eliminated; self-revives are available unless completely depleted. Teammates can revive fallen comrades, provided they reach the body before enemy intervention.

Concerns and Future Outlook

Two key concerns emerged from the preview:

1. Squad Dependency: Exoborne strongly favors coordinated squads. Solo play or random matchmaking are less than ideal, a common drawback in squad-based extraction shooters, particularly given its non-free-to-play status.

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2. Unclear Late-Game: The late-game remains undefined, with Game Director Petter Mannefelt hinting at a PVP focus. However, the preview's infrequent PVP encounters suggest a need for more structured late-game content to maintain player engagement beyond initial skirmishes.

Exoborne's PC playtest (February 12-17) will offer further insight into its development and address these concerns.