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

Get in, grab the loot, and get out—the core tenets of any 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 not leaving me craving "one more drop" immediately, Exoborne shows strong potential to make a splash in the genre.

The Exo-Rigs are central to Exoborne's 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 capabilities. Each Rig features unique upgrade modules, further customizing their abilities.

Personally, the Kodiak's Spider-Man-esque grappling hook and powerful ground slam proved immensely 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 feel excellent. Weapons possess a weighty 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 a more grounded approach. Fire tornadoes offer both risk and reward—a thrilling traversal option, but proximity is deadly.

Risk vs. Reward: The Core Gameplay Loop

Risk and reward permeate Exoborne's design. A 20-minute timer begins upon entry, broadcasting your location after it expires, giving you 10 minutes to extract or face instant elimination. Early extraction yields less loot, but staying longer increases potential earnings. Loot is scattered throughout the environment—on the ground, in containers, and on fallen enemies—with other players representing the ultimate prize, their belongings up for grabs.

Artifacts, high-value loot boxes requiring keys for access, are marked on the map, guaranteeing intense player encounters. Heavily guarded high-value loot zones further incentivize risk-taking. Successfully navigating these challenges and extracting with valuable loot is incredibly rewarding.

This tension fosters crucial squad communication. Even after going down, you aren't immediately eliminated. Self-revives are available before bleeding out, and teammates can revive you, albeit slowly and dangerously.

Two key concerns emerged from the preview. Exoborne strongly favors close-knit squads, making solo play or random matchmaking less than ideal. This limitation, inherent in the genre and exacerbated by the game's paid model, may deter casual players.

Secondly, the late-game remains unclear. While Game Director Petter Mannefelt mentioned a PVP focus, the preview lacked sufficient late-game content to fully assess its appeal.

Exoborne's PC playtest (February 12-17) will offer further insight into its long-term potential.