Sharkmob AB’s upcoming title, Exoborne, introduces a gripping blend of third-person exploration and first-person shooter action that is set to captivate audiences in 2025. This post-apocalyptic game thrusts players into a dystopian world marred by corporate greed and environmental catastrophes, challenging them to join a resistance movement. With the aid of advanced exosuits and strategic combat techniques, players will engage in high-octane battles for survival amidst the chaos.
Screen Rant recently had the opportunity to engage with an early version of Exoborne and discuss its features with Executive Producer Brynley Gibson and Narrative Director Martin Hultberg. The game employs a live-service model, which promises ongoing enhancements and expanded horizons within its immersive universe designed for open-world shooting dynamics.
Unearthing the World of Exoborne
Exoborne: A Wild New Take on Post-Apocalyptic Shooters
Exoborne presents a compelling addition to the shooter genre, offering a vast and tumultuous world filled with engaging gameplay and a captivating narrative. Set in the near future, players navigate a chaotic Earth where the technological ambitions of the Rebirth conglomerate have exacerbated climate change, resulting in a perilous environment. As a consequence, survivors form alliances to scavenge for resources, weaponry, and hope among the ruins of civilization.
Players are launched into Colton County, given a finite timeframe each round to explore a fragmented version of small-town America.They can choose to play solo or team up in trios, balancing the risks and rewards of shared loots against personal survival odds. Equipped with customizable Exo-Rigs—mechanical exosuits that grant distinctive abilities—players confront various challenges including rival factions, automated defenses, and treacherous weather conditions.
The Ever-Changing Landscape: A Double-Edged Sword
Dynamic Environments keep Players on Their Toes
This innovative approach to gameplay fosters creativity and exploration, transforming what could be a monotonous experience into a vibrant adventure.Each mission feels unique, featuring new areas and challenges. For instance, while I was engaged in skirmishes with bandit camps, unpredictable weather elements like flaming tornadoes and electric storms dramatically altered combat dynamics. This unpredictability effectively captures the essence of surviving in a chaotic environment.
According to Hultberg, the choice to adopt a post-apocalyptic theme was inspired by their success with Tom Clancy’s The Division:
“I’ve always enjoyed what-if scenarios and post-apocalyptic themes. After working on The Division, we contemplated, ‘what’s the next step after ruining New York?’ and decided on global destruction. This led us to focus on nature’s extreme forces which resonate on a primal level.”
“As an individual, you cannot resist that force. It’s terrifying, and we wanted to convert that fear into a gameplay context—how can we create moments where players think, ‘Oh no! There’s a tornado coming, and it’s on fire!’”
Exploration: The Heartbeat of Exoborne
Embarking on a Scavenger Hunt in a Dying World
Exoborne’s gameplay is reminiscent of popular titles like Fortnite, characterized by an engaging third-person shooter perspective that encourages innovation.Players can tailor their Exo-Rigs to match their playstyles, whether they lean towards melee combat or long-range tactics. The thrill of exploration is underpinned by the necessity of scavenging in Colton County’s ruins for supplies and arms.
While vehicles provide swift transportation, the excitement peaks with the use of grappling hooks and parachutes, enabling players to navigate vertical terrains, reposition during skirmishes, or make rapid retreats. Coupled with consistently changing winds, the skies become another frontier to explore. Hultberg remarked:
“Our previous game, Bloodhunt, focused heavily on vertical and horizontal traversal. We learned a lot from that experience. We aimed to maintain combat fluidity in Exoborne.While we have vertical elements, players face more significant combat engagement opportunities. Players quickly grasp this intuitive system, which enhances the overall fun of the gameplay.”
Gibson also shared insights on gameplay developments, stating that free climbing had been considered but ultimately dismissed for being cumbersome and unengaging:
“Climbing wasn’t as enjoyable as we hoped, especially with grappling hooks and jumping mechanics offering more engaging alternatives.”
Surprises Await in the Exoborne Universe
Expanding Horizons Through Live-Service Dynamics
Exoborne is engineered as a live-service game, routinely updating with fresh weapons, missions, and engaging content across its narrative realm. Players interact with distinct characters and factions, accepting challenges that often involve gathering resources or clearing out hostile encampments.Choosing different paths reveals varied narratives, enriching the player’s immersion through gameplay.
Looking toward the full release, Hultberg noted:
“We are collaborating with our community to guide the game’s development.We monitor player interactions to tailor content around their preferences, ensuring our plans include new narrative arcs and in-game items that reshape the environment.”
Gibson emphasized:
“We have substantial tools at our disposal for changes, ensuring players encounter something new upon each return. It’s vital that Exoborne feels alive and constantly evolving.”
Exoborne: A Journey into Embracing Chaos
Adventure Awaits in Every Gameplay Session
My initial experiences with Exoborne showcased delightful chaos—this is a shooter that provides accessible gameplay while keeping each session refreshing. Early deployments introduced fluctuating weather conditions that significantly influenced explorative tendencies. I felt a gratifying sense of achievement when I stumbled on rare supplies that enabled me to replenish my arsenal and upgrade my Exo-Rig.Player encounters with enemies and dynamic weather elements cultivate a rich atmosphere of risk and reward.
When contemplating extraction after gathering valuable supplies, weighing the decision can lead to thrilling gameplay. The allure of potentially discovering hidden treasures serves as an enticing incentive to push the boundaries of exploration further.The urgency of extraction introduces an exhilarating element, amplifying the player’s adventure experience. Exoborne elegantly synthesizes familiar mechanics into a uniquely engaging narrative, as Gibson conveyed:
Exoborne combines elements of open-world action shooting with various systems operating simultaneously. The landscape reacts to the player’s actions and the forces of nature, complemented by NPCs and spontaneous world events. This approach ensures that no two experiences are the same, fostering memorable shared moments among players.
Exoborne is anticipated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam in 2025, with an exact launch date yet to be confirmed. The inaugural playtest is scheduled from February 12 to February 17, and interested players can currently register to participate.
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