Exoborne: Extraction Shooter Featuring Unique Tornado Mechanics

In the thrilling world of extraction shooters, the upcoming game Exoborne promises a fresh twist on the genre's core concept of "get in, get the loot, and get out." With the addition of super-powered Exo-Rigs, dynamic weather effects, and the ever-popular grappling hooks, Exoborne elevates the action to new heights. After spending around 4-5 hours with the game at a recent preview event, I'm convinced that Exoborne has the potential to make waves in the extraction shooter community, despite not leaving me yearning for "one more drop."

A key element that sets Exoborne apart is its Exo-Rigs, which are central to its unique identity. Currently, there are three types of Exo-Rigs available: the Kodiak, which provides a shield while sprinting and allows for a devastating ground slam; the Viper, which boosts health regeneration upon downing enemies and offers a powerful melee attack; and the Kestrel, which prioritizes mobility with enhanced jumping and hovering capabilities. These rigs can be further customized with modules, tailoring them to suit individual playstyles and enhancing their unique abilities. While the current selection feels limited, and there's potential for more diverse Exo-Rigs, developer Shark Mob has yet to reveal plans for future additions.

The shooting mechanics in Exoborne are satisfying, with guns delivering a weighty kick and melee attacks packing a punch. The grappling hook adds a fun and strategic element to navigation, allowing players to glide across the map. The game's dynamic weather system, including tornados and rainfall, impacts gameplay by either boosting or hindering mobility. For instance, riding the winds of a tornado can significantly enhance aerial movement, while heavy rain can render parachutes ineffective. The post-apocalyptic setting is further emphasized by the presence of fire tornadoes, which offer mobility benefits but pose a lethal risk if players get too close.

Risk vs. Reward

The essence of Exoborne revolves around the principle of risk versus reward. Upon entering the game, players face a 20-minute countdown, after which their location is broadcasted to all other players, initiating a 10-minute extraction window. Players can choose to extract early if they have the necessary funds, but staying longer increases the potential for greater loot. Loot is scattered throughout the map, in containers, on the ground, and from defeated AI enemies, with the most valuable loot coming from other human players.

In addition to standard loot, Exoborne features artifacts, which are essentially high-value loot boxes that require both the artifact itself and an artifact key to unlock. These are marked on the map, making them hotspots for player confrontations. Similarly, high-value loot areas are heavily guarded by stronger AI, challenging players to take significant risks for the best rewards.

The game fosters a tense atmosphere that encourages effective communication within squads. Even if a player is downed, they can use self-revives to get back into the fight, or if they bleed out, a teammate can still resurrect them, provided they can reach the downed player's body. This mechanic adds a layer of strategy and teamwork, though it also leaves players vulnerable to enemy squads.

My experience with Exoborne raised two main concerns. Firstly, the game seems best enjoyed with a dedicated group of friends, which may be a barrier for solo players or those without a regular squad. This is a common challenge in squad-based tactical extraction shooters, and the fact that Exoborne is not free-to-play may exacerbate this issue for casual fans of the genre.

Secondly, the late-game content remains unclear. While Game Director Petter Mannefelt mentioned that it would focus on PVP and player comparisons, specifics were not disclosed. The PVP encounters I experienced were enjoyable, but the intervals between them were too long to make me eager to return solely for that aspect.

As Exoborne gears up for its playtest from February 12 to the 17th on PC, it will be interesting to see how the game evolves and addresses these concerns. With its unique mechanics and engaging gameplay, Exoborne has the potential to become a standout title in the extraction shooter genre.