Exoprimal Review – Content Starved Dino Crisis

In a market already saturated with online multiplayer offerings, Capcom’s Exoprimal introduces a fresh mix of exosuits and dinosaurs, challenging players to engage in thrilling battles while delving into its narrative.

Exoprimal’s gameplay is relatively straightforward – players assume the role of ex-soldiers piloting massive exosuits, collaborating with their team to eliminate waves of dinosaurs led by a mysterious artificial intelligence named Leviathan. Your mission is fairly simple: survive and complete objectives in third-person combat while facing rival teams of ex-soldiers.

Exoprimal presents an array of 13 exo-armors, classified into three groups i.e. assault, tank, and support, each catering to different playstyles. Whether favoring greater offensive capabilities, close-range combat, or supporting teammates, you will have the option to choose an exosuit that aligns with your preference. As you level up your exosuit, you will unlock new aesthetic modifications and useful upgrades that enhance their abilities, such as improved mobility and quicker recovery times.

The primary appeal of Exoprimal lies in the opportunity to immerse yourself in its chaotic battles. Its central game mode is called Dino Survival, in which two squads of five race to complete objectives before each other to win. It offers both thrilling moments and potential frustrations. The intense competition to defeat dinosaurs while outperforming rival teams can create some exhilarating moments.

Each match shuffles through several objectives, ranging from dinosaur shootouts to escort missions and confrontations with rival teams. Timing becomes a crucial factor in gameplay, as players must coordinate assault exosuit attacks with support heals and strategic positioning to outmaneuver opponents effectively. However, things begin to get stale relatively soon due to a lack of variety in terms of objectives.

Exoprimal’s potential is ultimately tethered to its progression and content updates. As you progress through the game and accumulate experience points, its narrative unfolds, explaining the mysterious appearance of dinosaurs in the year 2040 and Leviathan’s ulterior motives. 

While it’s great for a community-oriented game like Exoprimal to support cross-play at launch, the lack of additional game modes and the finite nature of its playable content is bound to diminish player interest over time. The repetition of the same game mode may eventually lead to monotony, making additional game modes and variety crucial to sustaining long-term player interest. A robust selection of game modes and the ability to create custom matches would do much to improve its appeal.

Seasonal updates are expected to bring new content to Exoprimal, with the first season introducing Savage Gauntlet, a mode focused on battling AI-controlled enemies and facing random events. While this does demonstrate the developer’s commitment to post-launch support, the question remains whether the content updates will suffice to retain player interest over extended periods. The developer will need to focus on expanding playable content and introducing diverse game modes to retain player interest.

Beyond the fast-paced gameplay and exosuit diversity lies another questionable aspect i.e. the game’s virtual currency system and monetization. Players can obtain BikCoins via gameplay or using real money, which can then be used to acquire both cosmetic and non-cosmetic rewards. Striking a balance between in-game rewards and monetization is crucial to ensuring that players feel engaged and valued without alienating those who prefer a more balanced, non-pay-to-win experience, and that’s currently not the case with Exoprimal.

In terms of graphical prowess, Exoprimal is largely a mixed bag. It’s a cross-gen game, and it shows in its modest visual makeup. The exosuit designs, on the other hand, are well-crafted, showcasing Capcom’s ability to create visually striking and formidable armor models.

Exoprimal offers an interesting concoction of ideas that blend into a multiplayer shooter with simple yet engaging dynamics, which contribute to its overall appeal, providing a refreshing experience for players seeking adrenaline-pumping battles. With the availability of crossplay support at launch, the game seeks to foster a healthy community of players across various platforms. However, a dearth of content means that it will rely heavily on a continuous stream of meaningful post-launch content updates. The game’s monetization practices also raise some concerns regarding its potential for long-term success.

Exoprimal Game Information

• Price: $59.99
• Publisher: Capcom
• Developer: Capcom
• Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
• Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher