Exoborne: An Innovative Extraction Shooter Unveiled

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

Exoborne, an upcoming extraction shooter, refines the genre's core tenets—get in, grab the loot, and get out—with amplified action. Powered exosuits (Exo-Rigs) dramatically boost strength and mobility, dynamic weather effects add unpredictable challenges, and grappling hooks provide thrilling traversal options. After a recent 4-5 hour preview, Exoborne shows strong potential to make a significant impact.

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.
• Kerstrel: Prioritizes mobility with enhanced jumping and temporary hover capabilities.

Each suit can be customized with unique modules, further enhancing their abilities. While the limited selection of suits feels restrictive, developer Shark Mob remained tight-lipped about future additions.

Gunplay is satisfyingly weighty, melee combat impactful, and the grappling hook adds a dynamic layer to exploration, surpassing the limitations of traditional movement. Weather events introduce unpredictable elements; tornadoes boost aerial mobility, while rain renders parachutes ineffective. Fire tornadoes offer another traversal option, but with the risk of lethal incineration.

Risk and Reward: A Core Mechanic

Risk versus reward is woven into Exoborne's fabric. A 20-minute timer triggers a location broadcast to all players, initiating a 10-minute extraction window. Early extraction yields less loot, while prolonged stays increase rewards. Loot is abundant, found throughout the environment, on enemies, and—most lucratively—from other players.

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Artifacts, high-value loot boxes, require both extraction and corresponding keys to unlock. Their locations are public knowledge, guaranteeing player conflict. Similarly, high-value loot zones are heavily guarded by powerful AI, demanding calculated risk-taking. The system fosters intense gameplay and necessitates strong squad communication. Downed players aren't immediately eliminated; self-revives and teammate revives offer a lifeline, though vulnerable to enemy attacks.

Concerns and Future Outlook

Two key concerns emerged from the preview:

1. Squad Dependency: Exoborne strongly favors coordinated squads. While solo play and random matchmaking are possible, they are less than ideal, especially given the game's non-free-to-play model.

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2. Undefined Late Game: The late-game focus on PvP, while enjoyable in brief encounters, lacked sufficient depth and frequency to be a compelling long-term draw. Further development in this area is crucial.

Exoborne's PC playtest (February 12-17) will offer further insights into its potential. The core gameplay loop is undeniably thrilling, but addressing the concerns regarding squad dependency and late-game content will be vital for its long-term success.