Exoborne: The Cutting-Edge Extraction Shooter Redefines the Genre

Exoborne: A High-Octane Extraction Shooter Preview

Get in, grab the loot, and escape. That's the core gameplay loop of Exoborne, an upcoming extraction shooter that elevates the genre with powerful Exo-Rigs, dynamic weather effects, and grappling hooks. After a 4-5 hour preview, Exoborne shows strong potential, though some aspects require further refinement.

The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's identity. Three distinct Rigs are currently available: the Kodiak (shield, powerful ground slam), the Viper (health regeneration on kills, powerful melee), and the Kerstrel (enhanced mobility, hover). Each Rig boasts unique modules for further customization. While the three Rigs offer varied playstyles (I particularly enjoyed the Kodiak's devastating ground slam), the limited selection feels restrictive, leaving room for future expansion.

Gunplay is satisfying, with weighty recoil and impactful melee attacks. The grappling hook adds a dynamic element to traversal, surpassing the limitations of standard movement. Random weather events, including tornadoes (boosting aerial mobility) and rain (rendering parachutes useless), introduce unpredictable challenges and opportunities. Fiery tornadoes add another layer of risk and reward, offering traversal advantages but posing a deadly threat.

Risk vs. Reward: A Core Mechanic

Exoborne’s design hinges on risk versus reward. A 20-minute timer initiates upon deployment, culminating in a location broadcast to all players. A 10-minute extraction window follows, incentivizing swift escapes versus prolonged looting. The longer you stay, the richer the potential rewards, including ground loot, enemy drops, and, most lucratively, player elimination and artifact acquisition. Artifacts, high-value loot boxes requiring keys, are marked on the map, guaranteeing player encounters. Heavily guarded high-value areas further amplify the risk-reward dynamic.

Even death isn't the end. Self-revives and teammate revives offer second chances, adding tension and strategic depth to firefights. However, successful revives require careful timing and coordination, making communication crucial.

Two key concerns emerged from the preview. Exoborne strongly favors coordinated squads, potentially alienating solo players or those lacking established groups. This is exacerbated by the game's non-free-to-play model. Secondly, the late-game remains unclear. While the preview hinted at PvP, the infrequent encounters suggest a need for more structured late-game content to maintain engagement.

The upcoming PC playtest (February 12-17) will offer further insight into Exoborne's potential. The core mechanics are strong, but addressing the concerns regarding squad play and late-game content will be crucial for its long-term success.