Exoborne: A High-Octane Extraction Shooter with Exo-Suit Action
Exoborne, an upcoming extraction shooter, refines the core loop of "get in, get the loot, get out" with amplified action. Powered exosuits (Exo-Rigs) boost strength and mobility, dynamic weather effects add unpredictability, and grappling hooks provide thrilling traversal options. A recent preview event offered a compelling 4-5 hour experience, hinting at significant potential within the genre.
The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's identity. Three distinct suits 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 potent melee strike.
- Kestrel: Prioritizes mobility with enhanced jumping and temporary hover capabilities.
Each suit can be customized with unique modules, enhancing their individual strengths. While the limited selection of suits feels restrictive, developer Shark Mob remains tight-lipped about future additions.
Gunplay is satisfyingly weighty, melee combat impactful, and the grappling hook significantly enhances map traversal. Random weather events—tornadoes boosting aerial mobility, rain rendering parachutes ineffective, and even fire tornadoes—introduce dynamic challenges and opportunities.
Risk and Reward: The Core Gameplay Loop
Risk versus reward permeates Exoborne's design. A 20-minute timer initiates upon entry, culminating in a location broadcast to all players, triggering a 10-minute extraction window. Early extraction minimizes risk but limits potential loot. Higher rewards are found in more dangerous areas, guarded by stronger AI and potentially other players, who can be eliminated for their loot.
Artifacts, high-value loot boxes requiring keys, are marked on the map, creating inevitable player conflict. Heavily defended areas containing superior loot further incentivize calculated risk-taking.
Even death isn't the end. Self-revives are available before bleeding out, and downed players can be resurrected by teammates, adding a layer of strategic depth to squad play.
Concerns and Future Outlook
Two key concerns emerged from the preview:
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Squad Dependence: Exoborne heavily favors coordinated squad play. While solo and random-squad options exist, the experience is significantly diminished without a reliable team, particularly given the game's non-free-to-play model.
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Late-Game Uncertainty: The late-game focus on PvP, while enjoyable, lacked sufficient structure during the preview. The frequency of PvP encounters felt insufficient to sustain engagement solely on PvP interaction.
Exoborne's PC playtest (February 12-17) will offer further insight into these aspects. The core gameplay loop is undeniably compelling, but the long-term appeal hinges on addressing the concerns regarding squad dynamics and late-game content. The dynamic weather, satisfying gunplay, and unique Exo-Rig mechanics hold considerable promise, however.
