Exoborne Is an Extraction Shooter With a Twist(er)

Exoborne: A High-Octane Extraction Shooter with Powerful Exo-Rigs

Get in, grab the loot, and get out—the core principle of any good extraction shooter, and Exoborne is no exception. But Exoborne elevates the formula with supercharged Exo-Rigs boosting strength and mobility, dynamic weather effects, and the ever-popular grappling hook. After a 4-5 hour preview, while I didn't crave an immediate "one more drop," Exoborne shows strong potential to make waves in the extraction shooter genre.

The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's unique identity. Currently, three types exist: the Kodiak, offering a sprint shield and a 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. Each rig boasts unique upgrade modules, further customizing their abilities.

Personally, the Kodiak's Spider-Man-esque grappling hook and ground slam proved incredibly satisfying. While the other rigs were fun to experiment with, the limited selection (only three) feels restrictive, leaving room for future expansion—though developer Shark Mob remained tight-lipped on future Exo-Rig plans.

The shooting mechanics are excellent. Weapons possess a weighty, satisfying recoil; melee attacks pack a punch; and the grappling hook's glide function significantly enhances traversal. Random weather events add another layer of challenge and opportunity. Tornadoes boost aerial mobility, while rain renders parachutes ineffective, forcing ground-based maneuvers. Fire tornadoes offer a risky but rewarding traversal option, though getting too close is fatal.

Risk vs. Reward: The Core Gameplay Loop

Risk and reward are interwoven throughout Exoborne's design. A 20-minute timer begins upon landing, triggering a location broadcast to all players after it expires. A 10-minute extraction window follows; failure results in immediate elimination. Players can extract earlier, but the longer they stay, the greater the potential loot. Loot is abundant—on the ground, in containers, and on fallen enemies—with other players representing the ultimate prize.

High-value artifacts, loot boxes requiring keys, add another layer of complexity. Artifact locations are visible to all, guaranteeing intense player encounters. Heavily guarded high-value loot areas further incentivize risk-taking. This creates a tense atmosphere, demanding strong squad communication. Even downed players aren't entirely eliminated; self-revives and teammate resurrections offer last-chance survival opportunities.

Two key concerns emerged from the preview. Exoborne strongly favors close-knit squads; solo or random-squad gameplay isn't ideal, a limitation exacerbated by the game's paid model. Secondly, the late-game remains unclear. While PVP encounters were fun, the downtime between them wasn't compelling enough to drive repeat play based solely on PVP. Game Director Petter Mannefelt hinted at PVP-focused late-game content, but details remain scarce.

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