Exoborne: Extraction Shooter with a Unique Twist

In the world of extraction shooters, the mantra is simple: get in, grab the loot, and get out. Exoborne, the upcoming title from Shark Mob, takes this core concept and injects it with a hefty dose of adrenaline, thanks to its super-powered Exo-Rigs, dynamic weather effects, and the ever-popular grappling hooks. After spending around 4-5 hours with the game at a recent preview event, I left with a sense of potential rather than an immediate craving for "one more drop." However, Exoborne definitely has what it takes to make a significant impact in the extraction shooter genre.

The Exo-Rigs are at the heart of Exoborne's unique identity. Currently, there are three distinct types: Kodiak, Viper, and Kestrel. The Kodiak offers a shield while sprinting and a devastating ground slam, perfect for those who love to make a dramatic entrance. The Viper, on the other hand, rewards aggressive play with health regeneration on kills and a powerful melee attack, ideal for players who thrive in the thick of battle. Meanwhile, the Kestrel focuses on mobility, allowing you to jump higher and hover temporarily, which is great for strategic positioning. Each suit can be further customized with unique modules, enhancing their specific abilities and adding a layer of personalization to your gameplay experience.

Personally, I found the thrill of swinging in with the grappling hook and unleashing the Kodiak's ground slam to be incredibly satisfying. However, the limited number of suits—only three—feels restrictive, and there's certainly room for more diverse options. While Shark Mob couldn't share details about future Exo-Rigs, the potential for expansion is clear.

When it comes to the shooting mechanics, Exoborne delivers a satisfying experience. The guns have a weighty feel with a satisfying kick, and the melee attacks are impactful and enjoyable to execute. Utilizing the grappling hook to glide across the map adds a fun and dynamic way to navigate, especially when combined with the game's unpredictable weather events. Tornados can boost your aerial mobility, while heavy rain can render your parachute nearly useless, adding an extra layer of strategy and challenge. Even fire tornadoes, which enhance your mobility, pose a deadly risk if you get too close.

Risk vs. Reward

Risk versus reward is the driving force behind Exoborne's design. Upon dropping into the game, you're met with a 20-minute countdown. Once it hits zero, your location is broadcast to all players, giving you a mere 10 minutes to extract or face being killswitched. You can choose to extract early if you have the funds, but the longer you stay, the more loot you can accumulate. Loot is scattered across the map, from ground finds to containers and AI enemy drops, but the richest rewards come from other players, allowing you to take their gear and collected loot.

Beyond standard loot, artifacts represent the ultimate prize. These high-value loot boxes require artifact keys to open, and their locations are visible to all, making them hotly contested. Similarly, high-value areas on the map are guarded by stronger AI, challenging players to risk it all for the best loot.

The game fosters a tense atmosphere that encourages communication within your squad. Even if you go down, you're not out of the fight, thanks to self-revives and teammate resurrections, though the latter takes time and leaves you vulnerable to enemy squads.

My time with the demo left me with two major concerns. First, Exoborne seems best enjoyed with a dedicated group of friends. While solo play and matchmaking with strangers are options, they aren't ideal, especially given that the game isn't free-to-play. This can be a drawback for casual fans like myself without a regular gaming squad.

Second, the late-game experience remains unclear. Game Director Petter Mannefelt mentioned that it would focus on PVP and player comparisons, but specifics were not available. While the PVP encounters were enjoyable, the downtime between them made me question the long-term engagement without a robust endgame.

As Exoborne gears up for its playtest from February 12 to the 17th on PC, it will be interesting to see how it evolves and addresses these concerns. With its unique mechanics and potential for growth, Exoborne has the makings of a thrilling addition to the extraction shooter genre.