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

Exoborne, an upcoming extraction shooter, refines the genre's core tenets – infiltrate, loot, and escape – by introducing powerful Exo-Rigs that boost strength and mobility. My hands-on experience, encompassing roughly four to five hours of gameplay, revealed a title with significant potential, though not without room for improvement.

The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's identity. Three distinct rigs are currently available: the Kodiak (emphasizing defense and powerful ground slams), the Viper (rewarding aggressive play with health regeneration and a strong melee attack), and the Kerstrel (prioritizing mobility with enhanced jumping and temporary hovering). Each rig boasts unique modules for further customization. While the limited selection of three rigs currently feels restrictive, the potential for future expansion is apparent.

Gameplay is satisfyingly visceral. Weapons possess a weighty feel, melee combat is impactful, and the grappling hook adds a dynamic layer to traversal, surpassing the limitations of traditional movement. Dynamic weather events, including tornadoes (enhancing aerial mobility) and rain (negating parachute functionality), introduce unpredictable elements to gameplay. The inclusion of fire tornadoes adds another layer of risk and reward to navigation.

Risk and Reward: A Core Mechanic

Exoborne's design hinges on the risk-reward dynamic. A 20-minute timer initiates upon entry, culminating in a location broadcast to other players, followed by a 10-minute extraction window. Early extraction yields less loot, but staying longer increases the potential rewards. Loot is scattered throughout the environment, with player elimination offering the most significant gains.

Artifacts, high-value loot boxes requiring keys for access, represent significant prizes. Their locations are publicly visible, guaranteeing player interaction. Similarly, high-value loot areas are heavily guarded by powerful AI, demanding strategic risk assessment.

The self-revive mechanic, allowing downed players to recover unless they bleed out, adds a layer of resilience. Teammates can also revive fallen comrades, provided they reach the body before the enemy. However, this revival process is time-consuming and vulnerable to interruption.

Concerns and Future Outlook

Two primary concerns emerged from my preview. Firstly, Exoborne strongly favors coordinated teamwork. While solo play and matchmaking are possible, the optimal experience necessitates a pre-formed squad. This is a common challenge for squad-based extraction shooters, particularly given Exoborne’s paid model.

Secondly, the late-game remains undefined. While PVP encounters were enjoyable, the frequency felt insufficient to sustain prolonged engagement. The developers have indicated a focus on PVP comparisons in the late game, but specifics remain undisclosed.

The upcoming PC playtest (February 12-17) will offer further insight into Exoborne's development and address these concerns. The potential is undeniably there, but the execution of the late-game and accessibility for solo players will ultimately determine its success.