It has been the decade of the extraction shooter. The gaming landscape today is packed with a deep catalogue of titles in the genre, and with so much competition, projects must stand out to make an impact. That’s exactly where Sharkmob fits in with its latest endeavour, Exoborne. The game introduces a fictional dystopian United States after societal collapse, a corrupt corporation exacerbating a climate change disaster, and, most importantly, exhilarating, edge-of-your-seat gameplay that sets it apart from being just another extraction shooter.
Exoborne is set in a decimated fictional location in the southern U.S. called Colton County. In this capitalist society, a corporation called Rebirth pushed propaganda onto civilians, offering hope for a bright future—or simply any future in the face of impending climate disaster. But Project Rebirth was a lie. Instead of delivering salvation, Rebirth drove humanity further into despair, forcing people to merge with machine-laden implants to complete the STRATOS towers, which were marketed as humanity’s saving grace. Rebirth also deployed special Exo-rig technology to enhance its subjects’ abilities. Yet even with these advancements, mankind wasn’t fast enough.
The so-called Earth-saving STRATOS towers quickly shifted from saviours to savage weapons, used to domesticate and subdue humanity under Rebirth’s control. One rebel, Tar, broke free from these human-machine shackles and led a rebellion against Rebirth. In response, Rebirth deployed STRATOS on the rebel forces, but the system overloaded, unleashing catastrophe on Earth, with Mother Nature as the disaster’s conductor. Now, the STRATOS towers have come back online, and it’s up to the player to change the tide. In Exoborne, you take on the role of a Reborn.
“Exoborne elevates the extraction shooter genre with exhilarating gameplay, a robust narrative, and an innovative blend of PvPvE mechanics.”
As a Reborn, you are tasked with finishing the fight Rebirth started and stopping the chaos of the STRATOS towers. With such a strong focus on the purpose behind invading and extracting, it was time to jump into the action. Exoborne allows players to fully outfit their own character, including tailoring their aesthetic. Customization of the Reborn is brimming with options, and I was even able to select my own “two-car-garage” hairline (receding) to suit my character. Sharkmob has emphasized personalization, making it feel like players are inserting a piece of themselves onto the battlefield.
Typically, extraction shooters present players with pre-designed classes to choose from—Rainbow Six: Extraction is a prime example. Arrowhead Studios’ Helldivers 2 expanded on this concept by increasing loadout options as players progressed, unlocking gear by repeatedly engaging with the alien menace. Exoborne takes customization a step further, giving players the freedom to design their loadouts however they like, while maintaining balance through limitations on player power.
Exoborne introduces the Reborn version of Mobile Suit Gundam onto the battlefield: the Exo-rig. This feature, like many of the game’s design choices, sets Exoborne apart in the genre. Exo-rigs are fully customizable, allowing players to equip their Reborn with diverse options to suit their playstyle. Sharkmob has implemented a class-like system that rewards team synergy, encouraging party members to coordinate their loadouts for maximum success. Teams that balance diverse roles will thrive, while a group of tanks may find challenges in certain scenarios.
Exo-rigs come in four categories, each named after fearsome predators: the starter rig, Coyote; the Kestrel; the Kodiak; and the Viper. The Kodiak functions as the team’s tank, capable of withstanding heavy damage while wielding powerful weaponry—its Ursine namesake is fitting. The Kestrel serves as an aerial specialist, effortlessly maneuvering around the battlefield and scouting enemy forces. The Viper, a jack-of-all-trades, offers versatility without mastering any single area. All three rigs are designed to deal damage to Rebirth’s forces. If you’re riding solo, the Viper is your best bet.
Exoborne features a robust outfitting and crafting system that requires players to loot materials. Nearly everything can be upgraded, from the scopes on your firearm to the Exo-rig your character wears—even down to the rig’s colour customization. The development team at Sharkmob prioritized maximizing player choice, and Exoborne certainly doesn’t hold back.
The standout feature of Exoborne is how seamlessly all its systems integrate on the battlefield. After playing approximately five hours with a squad of strangers, not only did we feel like brothers in arms, but it became clear that Sharkmob has created something special. I opted for a Viper loadout equipped with an LMG and a pistol sidearm. Reborn players also have access to Sharkmob’s version of Helldivers II’s stratagems. Combatants can call in various aerial assaults—such as Napalm Bombardments to rain fire on enemies—or deploy a rejuvenation shot to restore health and prolong survival. With these systems in place, it was time to dive into the chaos.
“Exoborne’s grappling hook and traversal mechanics deliver a thrilling experience reminiscent of Insomniac’s Spider-Man.”
The battlefield in Exoborne is pure disorder, and, according to Sharkmob Narrative Director Martin Hultberg, that’s intentional. He explained: “Each time you jump into a map, no two runs will be the same,” a claim the gameplay validated with 100 per cent accuracy. It’s akin to handing narrative control over to the players once their squad lands. Like a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, Exoborne employs a game master—in this case, an invisible one—ensuring no two maps play alike.
In addition to the diverse forces deployed by Rebirth, players must also contend with the wrath of Mother Nature. Tornadoes whip across the battlefield, acid rain blocks progress, fog disrupts visibility, and all these conditions can occur simultaneously, forcing squads to adapt to survive. Sharkmob draws clear inspiration from its development team’s previous work on titles like Tom Clancy’s The Division but breaks down barriers while retaining the emphasis on teamwork.
When my squad and I landed on the “low-risk” Maynard map, our first task was to check the map and decide which direction to head. Each deployment advances the narrative, providing more context and details about the world’s state. This adds urgency and a sense of purpose to your actions. Each map includes a risk rating—the higher the risk, the better the rewards.
The Exo-rig is equipped with a grappling hook that feels nearly flawless in execution. Swinging across the map is almost as satisfying as Insomniac’s Spider-Man, and traversal mechanics function as intended. Reborn players can also deploy a parachute, making fast travel possible during upwind currents. You can even emulate the playful aerial mechanics seen in Fortnite. Simply put, travelling in Exoborne is exhilarating. Sharkmob has ensured that reaching your destination is just as thrilling as the firefights that await.
After my squad and I located the Exoborne version of the Cybertruck (resembling one in design only), we were thrilled to discover it seats three, accommodating the entire team. Hazards dot the map and roads, making driving an adrenaline rush as the terrain actively impedes progress. After executing an epic GTA-style stunt jump, our Tesla-adjacent vehicle flipped over, forcing us to continue on foot.
Combat in Exoborne is sublime. It blends elements of Anthem, The Division, Helldivers II, and, surprisingly, Bionic Commando (though Spencer has nothing on the Reborn). This mix feels like a match made in heaven. Objectives litter the Maynard landscape, acting as beacons where players can engage Rebirth forces. Collectible loot artifacts also populate the terrain, adding a sense of urgency to completing objectives and extracting in time. In Exoborne, Rebirth and STRATOS towers aren’t your only adversaries—other Reborn squads also pose a threat.
“Exoborne’s gunplay is a masterclass in responsiveness, seamlessly blending third-person exploration with first-person precision.”
This is where Exoborne carves out its unique identity. When your squad encounters another Reborn team, all bets are off. It’s a fight to the death. This chaos is what sets Exoborne apart—the PvPvE aspect of combat. If your squad is defeated, the opposing Reborn can loot your corpse for all the resources and weaponry you brought into the fight, including legendary items. This high-risk, high-reward gameplay is the core of Exoborne.
When a Reborn collects an artifact, it appears as a moving marker on the map, effectively painting a bullseye on the player. This design choice works brilliantly in practice. Every run feels like the Reborn are Borderlands’ Vault Hunters, with everyone vying for the loot.
Capturing an artifact creates a built-in sense of anxiety. The task evokes sheer panic as the extraction timer ticks down. Defending an artifact while battling NPCs, enduring harsh weather, and racing against the clock is Exoborne’s coup de grâce. The peak gameplay experience combines all its elements at once. As Narrative Director Martin Hultberg succinctly put it, “It’s magic.”
Gunplay is another strong suit in Exoborne. Where The Division felt slightly restrictive in firefights, Exoborne feels smooth and responsive. Though the game is third-person, aiming down the sights transitions seamlessly to a first-person view, offering real-time precision. With a vast array of customizable weapons, Exoborne seems to borrow from Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in this regard. Players can equip weapons with scopes, lasers, extended magazines, and barrel attachments, tailoring the gameplay experience to their preferences rather than the game’s limitations.
After stealing a legendary artifact (marked by a gold spot on the map) from a high-risk zone, my fireteam sprinted toward extraction with just five minutes left on the timer. We quickly learned the parachute is virtually useless in the rain, so we made a desperate run on foot. As the extraction chopper arrived, one teammate grappled onto it, only to die hilariously at the hands of the propeller blades. This laugh-out-loud moment demonstrated that Reborn can sometimes be their own worst enemies. After using a bunny-ears dancing emote and successfully extracting, our team celebrated with real-life high-fives, proud of our victory.
Sharkmob has something special brewing with Exoborne. On one hand, it enters a market saturated with survival and extraction shooters. On the other, its superb design choices, excellent movement mechanics, fully developed narrative, and responsive controls set it apart.
Sharkmob’s attention to detail is evident, even in its player feedback process. After one player criticized the loot system and another complained about the cumbersome inventory, the developers returned to the drawing board to overhaul these aspects. This humility and commitment to refining the player experience could place Exoborne in a league of its own. When Exoborne launches, I know where I’ll be.
