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 immediately craving "one more drop," Exoborne shows significant potential to make waves in the genre.

The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's identity. Three distinct rigs are currently available: the Kodiak, a tanky option with 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 capabilities. These archetypes are further customizable with unique modules, enhancing each Rig's strengths.

Personally, the Kodiak's Spider-Man-esque grappling hook and ground slam proved immensely satisfying. While the other Rigs offered enjoyable variety, the limited selection (only three) feels restrictive, leaving room for future expansion—though developer Shark Mob remained tight-lipped on future Rig plans.

The shooting mechanics are excellent. Weapons possess a weighty feel, melee attacks pack a punch, and the grappling hook's glide function provides efficient traversal. Random weather events add a layer of unpredictability, with tornadoes boosting aerial mobility and rainfall rendering parachutes ineffective. Fire tornadoes offer another mobility option, but come with the risk of fiery demise.

Risk vs. Reward: The Core Loop

Risk and reward underpin Exoborne's design. A 20-minute timer triggers a location broadcast to all players, initiating a 10-minute extraction window or instant death. Early extraction is possible, but longer stays yield greater rewards. Loot is scattered throughout—on the ground, in containers, and on fallen enemies—with other players representing the ultimate prize, their possessions up for grabs.

High-value artifacts, loot boxes requiring keys, are marked on the map, frequently leading to player encounters. Heavily guarded high-value loot zones add another layer of strategic risk. Securing the best loot demands bravery and calculated risk-taking.

This tension encourages strong squad communication. Even downed players aren't entirely out of the fight. Self-revives and teammate resurrections offer last-chance survival, though vulnerable to enemy ambushes.

Two key concerns emerged from the preview. Exoborne strongly favors close-knit squads; solo or random-squad experiences are less than ideal. This is a common drawback in squad-based tactical extraction shooters, amplified by Exoborne's non-free-to-play model.

The other concern is the lack of late-game clarity. Game Director Petter Mannefelt indicated a focus on PvP comparisons, but the preview lacked sufficient late-game content to assess its long-term appeal.

Exoborne's PC playtest (February 12-17) will be crucial in shaping its future.