Exoborne: Extraction Shooter with a Unique Twist

In the heart-pounding world of extraction shooters, the upcoming game Exoborne stands out by amplifying the thrill with super-powered Exo-Rigs, dynamic weather effects, and the exhilarating use of grappling hooks. I had the chance to dive into about 4-5 hours of gameplay at a recent preview event. While I didn’t leave craving "one more drop," I'm convinced that Exoborne has the potential to make a significant impact in the extraction shooter genre.

The core of Exoborne's unique identity lies in its Exo-Rigs, which come in three distinct varieties: Kodiak, Viper, and Kestrel. The Kodiak rig offers a shield during sprints and the ability to deliver devastating ground slams. The Viper enhances your combat prowess with health regeneration upon taking down enemies and a potent melee attack. Meanwhile, the Kestrel focuses on agility, granting higher jumps and temporary hovering capabilities. Each rig can be customized further with modules, tailoring their abilities to suit individual playstyles. While I found swinging into battle like Spider-Man with the Kodiak's power slam immensely satisfying, experimenting with all three rigs was a blast. However, the current limitation to three rigs leaves room for more diverse options, though developer Shark Mob remained tight-lipped about future expansions.

The shooting mechanics in Exoborne are a highlight, with guns delivering a satisfying kick and melee attacks packing a powerful punch. Utilizing the grappling hook to glide across the map adds a fun twist to navigation. The game's dynamic weather system plays a crucial role in gameplay; tornadoes can boost your aerial mobility, while rainfall can ground your parachute, adding strategic depth. Even fire tornadoes enhance your movement but come with the risk of being consumed by the flames if you venture too close.

Risk vs. Reward

The essence of Exoborne revolves around the principle of risk versus reward. Upon entering the game, a 20-minute timer starts, after which your location is broadcasted to all players, giving you just 10 minutes to extract or face certain death. You can choose to extract early if you have the cash, but staying longer increases your loot potential. Loot is scattered throughout the environment, from the ground and containers to the bodies of AI enemies, with the most lucrative targets being other players. Stealing their gear and collected loot can be highly rewarding.

Artifacts represent the pinnacle of loot in Exoborne, functioning as high-value loot boxes that require both the artifact itself and keys to unlock upon successful extraction. Their locations are visible to all, setting the stage for intense player confrontations. Additionally, high-value loot areas are heavily guarded by stronger AI, challenging players to take significant risks for the best rewards.

The game fosters a tense atmosphere that encourages squad communication. Even if downed, players aren't immediately out; self-revives and teammate revivals offer a lifeline back into the fight, though they come with their own risks if enemies are nearby.

My experience with Exoborne left me with two primary concerns. The first is the game's heavy reliance on playing with a dedicated group of friends. While solo play and matchmaking with strangers are possible, they aren't ideal. This is a common challenge in squad-based tactical shooters, compounded by the fact that Exoborne isn't free-to-play, which might deter casual fans without a regular squad.

The second concern is the lack of clarity around the late-game experience. Game Director Petter Mannefelt mentioned that it would revolve around PVP and player comparisons, but specifics were not disclosed. While the PVP encounters were engaging, the intervals between them felt too long to keep me hooked solely on that aspect.

As Exoborne gears up for its playtest from February 12 to the 17th on PC, we'll keep an eye on how it evolves. With its unique mechanics and intense gameplay, Exoborne could indeed carve out a niche in the extraction shooter landscape.