Exoborne Is an Extraction Shooter With a Twist(er)

Exoborne: A High-Octane Extraction Shooter

Get in, grab the loot, and get out—the core tenets of any successful extraction shooter, and Exoborne is no exception. But Exoborne elevates the 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 leaving me craving "one more drop" immediately, Exoborne shows strong potential to make a splash in the genre.

The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's identity. Currently, three types exist: the Kodiak, offering a sprint shield and devastating ground slam; the Viper, rewarding aggressive play with health regeneration on kills and a powerful melee attack; and the Kestrel, prioritizing mobility with enhanced jumps and temporary hover. Each Rig features unique modules for further customization.

Personally, the Kodiak's Spider-Man-esque grappling hook and ground slam proved incredibly satisfying. While the other Rigs were enjoyable, the limited selection (only three currently available) feels restrictive, though developer Shark Mob declined to comment on future Exo-Rig plans.

The shooting mechanics feel excellent. Weapons possess a weighty recoil, melee attacks are impactful, and the grappling hook adds a dynamic layer to traversal. Random weather events introduce unpredictability; tornadoes boost aerial mobility, while rain renders parachutes useless. Fire tornadoes offer another traversal option, but proximity is perilous.

Risk vs. Reward

Risk and reward permeate Exoborne's design. A 20-minute timer initiates upon landing, broadcasting your location after it expires. A 10-minute extraction window follows; failure results in immediate elimination. Extraction is possible earlier, but the longer you stay, the richer the rewards. Loot is abundant—on the ground, in containers, and from fallen enemies—but eliminating other players yields the greatest spoils.

High-value artifacts, loot boxes containing valuable items, require both extraction and artifact keys to unlock. Their locations are visible to all, often leading to player conflict. Similarly, high-value loot areas are heavily guarded by powerful AI, demanding calculated risk-taking.

This creates intense gameplay, emphasizing squad communication. Even downed players aren't immediately eliminated; self-revives and teammate revives offer a fighting chance, though risky.

Two concerns emerged from the preview. Exoborne heavily favors close-knit squads; solo or random squads are less ideal, a common flaw in squad-based tactical shooters, exacerbated by the game's paid model.

The other is the unclear late-game. Game Director Petter Mannefelt mentioned a PVP focus, but the preview lacked sufficient late-game content to assess its appeal.

Exoborne's PC playtest runs February 12-17. Further development will reveal if it can overcome these initial concerns.