Get ready to blast some dinosaurs back to the stone age with your Exosuit in Exoprimal! Read on to see whether the gameplay and graphics are worth a buy in our review!

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Exoprimal Review and Score Explanation

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Exoprimal Score Explanation

Exoprimal Review: Jurassic Disappointment

The potential was there for Exoprimal to be a great game. One can't help but feel sorry for the players (and maybe even developers) who were hoping for it to turn out decent. Unfortunately, these kinds of disappointments are not uncommon in the gaming industry - a promising concept that fell victim to poor execution and questionable practices.

How was Exoprimal conceived? Was it an innocent idea made in a drunken stupor, or concocted by an out-of-touch focus group somewhere deep in Capcom’s offices? It feels more like the latter, as if Capcom ticked off all the items on their "game checklist" while making Exoprimal without once considering how those elements should come together in reality.

We understand that Capcom may have wanted to bring something new with Exoprimal, but they didn't have to sell us a multiplayer-only grindfest at AAA title pricing. They could have given us more fun and value for our money instead. Like Dino Crisis 4, maybe.

Exoprimal Full Game Review

Pros of Exoprimal

Things Exoprimal Got Right
Fun Core Gameplay Good Graphics Powered by the RE Engine

Fun Core Gameplay

Let’s give credit where it’s due first. Exoprimal’s core gameplay of shooting hordes of dinosaurs is a lot of fun. The thrill of being surrounded by different types of dinosaurs, each requiring unique tactics to take them down certainly adds intensity to any gaming session. There's just something about mowing down waves of enemies that really gets the blood pumping.

Additionally, the concept of being in an Exosuit with various abilities is rather intriguing. It seems like Capcom took inspiration from popular hero shooters like Overwatch, with each Exosuit specializing in a specific role, allowing for a dynamic where players must work together to overcome the dinosaur threat. Work as a team or become dino chow – those seem to be the options laid out, and it’s a solid idea.

However, it must be said that while Exoprimal's core gameplay shines, everything else falls short. The lackluster execution outside of the core gameplay leaves much to be desired.

Good Graphics Powered by the RE Engine

A good point Exoprimal has is its graphics, powered by the RE Engine. The Exosuits are very detailed, and their designs are cool as heck. If you’ve played Warframe before, then Exorpimal’s Exosuits give off the same vibe, albeit with a more mechanical look. One standout is the Murame Exosuit, boasting imposing shoulder pads and an even more impressive sword. And if that's not enough, each suit can be further customized with various skins and decals - though these extras will have to be purchased from the shop.

As for the dinosaurs, they look fierce, detailed, and primal. You could practically feel the roughness of the skin of a Triceratops just by looking at it. When you come up against Neosaurs, which are mutated dinosaurs, things get freakier since most of them have gooey violet growths all over them. Some, like the lava-covered Neo Ankylosaurus or the Cryo Neosaur, wouldn't seem out of place in a Monster Hunter game.

Cons of Exoprimal

Things That Exoprimal Can Improve
Unsatisfying Gameplay Loop Bad Mixing of PvE and PvP Elements Lack of Content Relative to Price

Unsatisfying Gameplay Loop

The biggest problem we’ve had with Exoprimal by far. Here's what a typical Exoprimal game session looks like: You start by hopping into matchmaking for Dino Survival mode. Complete your missions, whether you win or lose the match, level up your character, and spend those precious BikCoins (in-game currency) on new modules or RIGs (gadgets) for your Exosuits. Each Exosuit has its own suit level and exclusive modules you buy with BikCoins. Since BikCoins are limited, you'll need to focus on grinding out one suit at a time.

Here comes another disappointment - customization is sorely lacking. You can't change your Exosuit's weapons or skills, and even maxed-out modules feel like they only provide minimal benefits. You can only buy skins and charms for your Exosuits, or chance upon those cosmetics when you open War Chests (which are the loot boxes in this game).

So now that you've spent your hard-earned BikCoins, it's time to dive back into another match of Dino Survival (since there’s only one game mode currently). The missions may have different names, but in essence, they all feel quite similar.

You have your basic Dino Cull mission, where you're required to kill a specific number of dinosaurs to advance. Omega Charge is just Dino Cull with extra steps. Both missions require you to kill dinosaurs, but Omega Charge introduces a hammer that has to be charged up through dinosaur kills. Your team then uses said hammer to destroy obstacles and advance.

Area Defense and VTOL Defense are practically identical, since both of them have you defend a certain point from dinosaur attacks for a period of time. Then, there are the aptly named Escort missions, where you'll escort NPCs to extract data, and Data Security missions, where you protect data from the dinosaurs. Contextually different, fundamentally the same. Data Security missions are slower just Escort missions, since you have to be near the data cube to push it through the map while protecting it. The saving grace of the Escort missions is that the NPC you're protecting moves on its own.

There ARE some interesting missions. Dino Pursuit missions, where you chase a big dinosaur through crowds of smaller dinosaurs, and the 10-man Neo T. Rex raids can be fun when they happen. But they're both far too infrequent to have any real impact on the overall feel of the game.

There's supposed to be something else to look forward to as you play more - unlocking bits of the story called 'Lost Data'. These pieces get added to an Analysis Map, where you must complete sections like solving a puzzle.

But don't get too excited because once you complete a section… surprise! You're treated to dull CODEC-style conversations where the characters involved are just talking heads with no real depth, discussing a mystery you’ll care less and less about as time goes on. This may have been okay during the heyday of Metal Gear Solid, but there's a reason why they were dropped in MGSV - they got too tedious to listen to over and over again.

To unlock more Lost Data, one must play more sessions of Dino Survival ad nauseum. Extremely exciting.

Bad Mixing of PvE and PvP Elements

We've already come across some internet players expressing their pessimism about the introduction of PvP in Exoprimal. It might seem puzzling why anyone wouldn't want to compete with others online - after all, it's one of the core aspects of online gaming. However, Exoprimal brings a different dynamic into play, and their decision to inject competition in both PvP and PvE transforms what was once a relatively enjoyable shooter into an exhausting slog.

In PvE mode, even when you're just up against dinosaurs and not other players, Exoprimal still pits you against an opposing team. The objective is to complete missions faster than the other team. This means that even while dealing with monstrous reptiles, you won't be able to take your time or fool around like in traditional PvE games. You'll need to always be on your toes for this quasi-PvP experience and stay competitive against enemy players.

As for PvP mode, there is one especially glaring problem: the discrepancy between the game's overall pace and how quickly you can be killed by other players. For example, in Overwatch, you move fast, you shoot fast, and you die fast. It’s feels all balanced because everyone is on the same tempo.

Meanwhile, in Exoprimal, you move slow, you attack slow, but you still die fast. The damage you receive from enemy dinosaurs (which are still present in PvP mode) is fine, but when you attack enemy players and get attacked in turn, you’re all suddenly flimsier than wet toilet paper.

So what you get is the worst of both worlds - an unsatisfying competitive PvE mode and a PvP mode that just feels weird to play.

Lack of Content Relative to Price

Exoprimal, priced at $59.99, unfortunately lacks a real single-player mode. To make matters worse, the game separately sells its battle pass and premium currency, which are not included in the full-price purchase. Console players must also consider their monthly subscriptions to PSN or Xbox Live. All these additional costs may lead to spending an amount that’s just a little bit more than purchasing the Deluxe Edition, which does include the Battle Pass - thankfully.

For those getting the game via Game Pass, lucky for you guys. You only have to spend up to 15 USD a month to get this title and still get access to several other titles. For us unfortunate souls who paid top dollar for Exoprimal, here's all we're getting: one game mode, a story progression system that requires grinding to unlock further content, only basic Exosuits available (excluding Murasame - Tank Class, Vigilant - Assault Class, and Nimbus - Support Class), and random cosmetic items obtained from War Chests earned through leveling up. Quite underwhelming considering its hefty price tag.

For a game costing $60 upfront, it certainly feels more like a title that should've been priced between $30-$40. It actually would probably do better as free-to-play game after some adjustments. Heck, the game would’ve turned out better if it had been rebranded as a sort of Earth Defense Force clone with hordes of dinosaurs as foes, a hundred different missions, different weapons for each Exosuit, and co-op.

But at its current price point, it's probably a better idea to subject Leviathan, the AI antagonist of the game, to playing Exoprimal on repeat just so it can gather data and create a game actually worth its price.

Exoprimal Story Plot

It is the year 2043, and the world has been ravaged by vortexes that unleash hordes of dinosaurs across the world. A group of rookie soldiers makes a crash landing on Bikitoa Island, where a mysterious AI named "Leviathan" forces them to participate in an endless string of wargames against the dinosaurs. Their only hope to survive is to use powerful Exosuits, made by Leviathan itself.

It isn't long before the soldiers learn that they are stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day on Bikitoa Island over and over again so that Leviathan can gather data and use it to improve the Exosuits. But to what end? No one knows.

Is Exoprimal Worth It?

Only Worth It if You Have It on Game Pass

There’s no other way you should play Exoprimal. Don’t buy it at full price, and get it only as part of your Game Pass subscription. You’re still going to have to spend extra for the Season Pass and the cosmetics that you want, though.

Otherwise, don’t buy it. It doesn’t have a strong enough value proposition to be worth as much as a full-priced AAA title.

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How Exoprimal Matches Up to Recently-Released Games

Games That Came Out Recently	Pros	Cons
Jagged Alliance 3	So far, it seems that those without the patience needed for tactical games will get more mileage out of Exoprimal than compared to Jagged Alliance, especially since it’s fast-paced and hectic.	Jagged Alliance 3 will give you more bang for your buck though. Not only can you play it offline, it also offers many ways to tackle the game’s missions due of its reliance on tactics and customization.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie	The Trails series has a high barrier to entry, while Exoprimal is play-and-go. You don’t need to immerse yourself in lore to find out what’s going on.	But Trails of Reverie (and the Trails series in general) gives a more satisfying story that progresses organically, unlike Exoprimal. Don’t go into Exoprimal looking for a stellar storytelling experience, at least.

How Exoprimal Matches Up to Similar Games

Games Similar to Exoprimal	Pros	Cons
Overwatch	If an emphasis on PvE is your thing, Exoprimal could be a good alternative to Overwatch since it has roughly the same setup as a standard hero shooter, but with dinosaurs as a recurring PvE element.	But those migrating from Overwatch to Exoprimal might be thrown off by the difference in how the game handles itself compared to OW. It’s a bit slower, but you die just as fast.
Earth Defense Force 5	It’s hard to recommend Exoprimal over EDF 5 unless you really want a PvP experience.	We would recommend you buy EDF 5 over Exoprimal instead since it offers the kind of game Exoprimal could’ve been. Masses of enemies, different classes, different weapons for each class, and all sorts of scenarios.
Dino Crisis	Exoprimal is the closest thing to a dinosaur-related IP Capcom has released since Dino Crisis 3 nearly two decades ago.	The original Dino Crisis can still be a hoot to play, though, especially if you’re in the mood for classic Resident Evil-style survival horror.

Exoprimal Trailer

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Exoprimal Product Information

Title	EXOPRIMAL
Release Date	July 14, 2023
Developer	Capcom
Publisher	Capcom
Supported Platforms	PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5
Genre	Online Third-Person Shooter
Number of Players	1-10
ESRB Rating	M17+
Official Website	https://www.exoprimal.com/en-us/

Michael Mendoza Ab..

Reviews video games by day, tries to write novels by night. He's a sucker for open-world games (Bethesda Fallout titles, Mount and Blade Bannerlord, Grand Theft Auto), CRPGs (Planescape: Torment, Disco Elysium), and First-Person Shooters (Call of Duty, Battlefield, and immersive sims like Bioshock..