Exoborne Is an Extraction Shooter With a Twist(er)

Exoborne: A High-Octane Extraction Shooter with Exo-Suit Action

Exoborne, an upcoming extraction shooter, refines the core gameplay loop – get in, grab the loot, and escape – by introducing powerful Exo-Rigs, dynamic weather effects, and grappling hooks. After a recent 4-5 hour preview, Exoborne shows strong potential within the genre.

The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's identity. Three distinct suits are currently available: the Kodiak (shield, powerful ground slam), the Viper (health regeneration on kills, strong melee), and the Kerstrel (enhanced mobility, hover). Each suit boasts unique modules for further customization. While enjoyable, the limited number of suits feels restrictive, leaving room for future expansion.

Gunplay is satisfying, with weighty weapons and impactful melee attacks. The grappling hook adds dynamic traversal, complementing the map's design and weather effects. Tornadoes boost aerial mobility, while rain renders parachutes ineffective, adding strategic depth. Fire tornadoes offer a risky but rewarding traversal option.

Risk and Reward: The Core Gameplay Loop

A 20-minute timer initiates upon deployment, followed by a 10-minute extraction window after the timer expires. Players can extract earlier, but the longer they stay, the greater the potential loot. Loot is scattered throughout the environment, with the most valuable rewards being other players' possessions and artifacts. Artifacts, essentially loot boxes, require keys for access and successful extraction. High-value loot areas are heavily guarded by challenging AI, demanding strategic risk assessment.

The self-revive and teammate resurrection mechanics mitigate the impact of death, providing a last-chance survival mechanic. However, successful revives require careful positioning and coordination.

Concerns and Future Outlook

Two key concerns emerged from the preview. Firstly, Exoborne strongly benefits from playing with a coordinated team. While solo play and matchmaking are possible, they don't fully optimize the experience, especially considering the game's non-free-to-play model.

Secondly, the late-game remains unclear. While the developer mentioned a PVP focus, the preview lacked sufficient late-game content to assess its long-term appeal. Further clarification is needed to gauge the game's lasting engagement beyond the initial thrill of the core loop.

Exoborne's PC playtest, running from February 12th to 17th, will offer further insight into its potential. The game's exciting premise and refined mechanics suggest a promising future, but its success hinges on addressing the concerns regarding team play and late-game content.