Exoborne: Sci-Fi Shooter Delivers Unique Extraction Gameplay

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:

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

Each Rig can be customized with unique modules, further enhancing their abilities. While the three Rigs currently available feel somewhat limited, the developer, Shark Mob, remained tight-lipped on future additions.

The shooting mechanics feel excellent. Weapons possess a satisfying weight and recoil, melee attacks pack a punch, and the grappling hook adds a dynamic element to traversal, surpassing the limitations of standard movement. Random weather events introduce strategic challenges: tornadoes boost aerial mobility, while rain renders parachutes ineffective. Fire tornadoes offer another traversal option, but proximity carries significant risk.

Risk vs. Reward: A Core Mechanic

Risk and reward define Exoborne's gameplay loop. A 20-minute timer begins upon deployment, triggering a location broadcast to all players after it expires. Players then have 10 minutes to extract or face elimination. Early extraction yields less loot, but staying longer increases potential rewards found throughout the environment – on the ground, in containers, and on fallen enemies. The most valuable loot, however, comes from eliminating other players and seizing their possessions.

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Artifacts are high-value loot containers requiring keys for access. Their locations are visible to all players, often leading to player-versus-player encounters. Heavily guarded high-value areas further incentivize risk-taking for superior loot.

Even after being downed, players aren't immediately eliminated. Self-revives are available before bleeding out, and teammates can revive fallen comrades, provided they reach the body before the enemy squad. This revival mechanic, however, is time-consuming and vulnerable to enemy attacks.

Two key concerns emerged from the preview:

1. Squad Dependence: Exoborne strongly favors playing with a coordinated team. Solo play and random squads are less than ideal, a common issue in squad-based extraction shooters, further exacerbated by the game's paid model.

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2. Unclear Late-Game: The late-game remains undefined, with the Game Director mentioning a focus on PVP comparisons. While PVP encounters were enjoyable, the downtime between them prevents the PVP experience from being a primary draw.

Exoborne's PC playtest, running from February 12th to 17th, will offer further insight into its development and address these concerns.