Exoprimal: A Live-Service Shooter with Potential, but Falls Short
When I first saw Exoprimal, I was so excited for a new live-service shooter that could potentially rival Warframe. However, after playing the game for a few hours, it feels more like a step backward for the genre, reminding me of Capcom’s dark days with Resident Evil 6, Dead Rising 4, and Street Fighter 5.
It’s no secret that Capcom went through a quite dry period in the 2010s, with disappointing releases like Resident Evil 6, Dead Rising 4, and Street Fighter 5. Thankfully, the Japanese publisher seems to have righted the ship with games like Resident Evil 7, Monster Hunter World, and Devil May Cry 5.
But still, after seeing the trailers for Exoprimal and its microtransactions, overwhelming menus, and paid add-ons, I can’t help but feel like we’re going back to the bad old days.
The genre itself has struggled, and Exoprimal doesn’t offer enough to stand out from the pack. With overwhelming menus, microtransactions, and paid add-ons, the multiplayer horde shooter just feels like a cash grab at this point.
Ultimately, the game just lacks a captivating narrative and gameplay loop to keep me coming back for more. Granted, I’ve only played a few hours on the PC, but my first impressions don’t leave me with much hope for the future of the new live-service game.
Despite its flaws, Exoprimal is priced as a premium game at $59.99 (or $69.99 for the deluxe edition). That’s a tough price to swallow, especially when it feels like the game’s potential has been squandered by its excessive microtransactions and lack of substance.
Ultimately, I think Exoprimal will see some support initially, but its future looks bleak. The game feels out of place in Capcom’s current lineup of successful titles, including Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry 5, and Street Fighter 5: Arcade Edition.
If Capcom can learn from its past mistakes, it will continue to be more selective with its game releases, which is a good thing. However, I do feel like Exoprimal had potential with its mech suits versus dinosaurs premise, but ultimately falls short due to unnecessary bloat, especially with overwhelming menus and microtransactions.
If you’re looking for a new shooter, check out some of the best multiplayer games instead, as you’ll find plenty of games that are more polished and fun than Exoprimal.
