Exoborne: A High-Octane Extraction Shooter

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

The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's unique 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 boasts unique modules for further customization.

The shooting mechanics feel excellent. Weapons have satisfying weight and recoil, melee attacks pack a punch, and the grappling hook's glide function offers efficient traversal. Dynamic weather events add a layer of unpredictability. Tornadoes boost aerial mobility, while rain renders parachutes useless. Fire tornadoes offer another traversal option, but getting too close is deadly.

Risk vs. Reward: The Core Gameplay Loop

Risk and reward are interwoven throughout Exoborne. A 20-minute timer triggers a location broadcast to all players, giving you 10 minutes to extract or face elimination. Extracting earlier yields less loot, but staying longer increases your potential earnings. Loot is scattered throughout the environment, on enemies, and—most lucratively—on fallen players.

This high-stakes environment fosters intense teamwork. Even after going down, you're not entirely eliminated. Self-revives and teammate revives offer a chance for comeback, though this window of opportunity is limited and risky.

Two key concerns emerged from the preview. Exoborne strongly favors playing with a coordinated team. Solo play or random squads are less than ideal, a drawback exacerbated by the game's paid model. This might deter casual players lacking a dedicated group.

Exoborne's PC playtest runs February 12-17. We'll see how it evolves.