Exoborne: A High-Octane Extraction Shooter Preview
Exoborne, an upcoming extraction shooter, refines the genre's core tenets – infiltrate, loot, and escape – by introducing powerful Exo-Rigs, dynamic weather effects, and grappling hooks. After a 4-5 hour preview, Exoborne shows strong potential, though some aspects require further development.
The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's identity. Three distinct types are available: the Kodiak (shield, powerful ground slam), the Viper (health regeneration on kills, strong melee), and the Kerstrel (enhanced mobility, hover). Each Rig features unique upgrade modules, allowing for customization. While enjoyable, the limited number of Rigs feels restrictive, leaving room for future expansion.
Gameplay is satisfying. Weapons possess a weighty feel, melee attacks are impactful, and the grappling hook adds significant mobility, surpassing the limitations of traditional traversal. Dynamic weather events, including tornadoes (boosting aerial movement) and rain (rendering parachutes ineffective), add an unpredictable element. Fire tornadoes offer a risky but rewarding traversal option.
Risk vs. Reward Mechanics
Exoborne's design revolves around calculated risk-taking. A 20-minute timer triggers a location broadcast, followed by a 10-minute extraction window. Longer stays yield more loot, found throughout the environment and on defeated enemies. Player elimination is a significant loot source.
Artifacts, high-value loot containers requiring keys, introduce a competitive element. Their locations are visible to all players, encouraging conflict. Heavily guarded high-value areas further incentivize risk. Even when downed, players aren't immediately eliminated, offering self-revives and teammate resurrection opportunities.
Areas for Improvement
Two key concerns emerged. Exoborne strongly favors squad play, potentially alienating solo players or those lacking a dedicated group. This is exacerbated by its non-free-to-play model.
The lack of defined late-game content is also a concern. While PvP encounters were enjoyable, the infrequent occurrences didn't establish compelling long-term engagement. The developer's focus on future PvP development needs further clarification.
Exoborne's PC playtest (February 12-17) will be crucial in addressing these issues and shaping the final product.
