I will commend Capcom for continuing to try some new ideas in the face of their most popular franchises getting sequels. While people are no doubt thrilled with Street Fighter 6 and Resident Evil 4 Remake (and rightfully so), the company has still poured some resources into Exoprimal, a new team-based shooter where you take on thousands of dino enemies all for the sake of pleasing an AI gathering data.
No, it’s not Dino Crisis. We don’t know where that remake is, lest if it’s even coming. But does Exoprimal fill the need? Well, to an extent.
It’s fun to play, has a decent offering of suits to try on, and does offer something with long-term entertainment for those that choose to get deeper into it. But its lack of modes, its slow progression, and its limitations with the PvE format could likely turn off its fan base before it gets started. In other words, Exoprimal’s lack of evolution is keeping it in the Stone Age, when it deserves to thrive.
There’s a Story, But You Have To Dig
Exoprimal is built on an interesting premise. A team of soldiers lands on an island that’s suddenly overrun by a weird-faced AI named Leviathan. Rather than try to figure out a way off the island, it instead engages in these odd battles with a bunch of dinos, in the hopes of “gathering data” and making soldiers more elite.
The good news is that there’s an interesting story here. The bad news is that it’ll take a few hours before you dig into the heart of it. That means taking part in random matchmaking in an effort to progress and see where the game opens up.
Not that the gameplay is bad, mind you. It’s actually pretty engaging. It’s fun to run around with different soldier types (including the odd healing character Witch Doctor) and lay waste to small and large dinosaurs along the way. And there’s a neat competitive wrinkle here, as you really don’t compete with other players too much (save for certain scenarios), and instead focus on your main goals. It’s snappy and fun to get into.
It’s just the long-term grind that’s the problem. The fact that Capcom wants you to work to make any sort of progress, instead of offering you bits and pieces to help shape the endgame. It’s like being promised a Christmas check for all the hard work you did over the year, only to get the money sometime in the summer. You want more rewards now, and outside of the unlock of certain maps or suit types, there’s barely anything here that compels.
There is some long-term stuff for those that stick with Exoprimal; and given the right team, there’s a lot you can do against the likes of T-Rexes and Triceratops, among others. But something just feels like it’s holding Exoprimal back from its true potential…and it’s frustrating, to say the least.
Dino-mite Presentation?
On the plus side, Exoprimal’s presentation reminds us of Capcom’s creative period from a few years ago, when it was making fare like the new Bionic Commando (which we sort of liked), as well as Remember Me (remember that?) and others of that nature.
The creative map designs are worth noting, though you’re limited to certain parts of it, as guided by your virtual “Watcher”; the animations are cool, with each battle suit significantly standing out; and the game maintains a steady frame rate, even as the world comes crashing down with a fleet of raptors. That’s commendable, considering how things could’ve gone wrong with the game engine after launch date.
The sound isn’t bad either. Leviathan is a bit bland for my taste (that’s AI for you), but the soldiers sound great; and the sound effects are top notch. Some of the music cues are worth noting as well, setting the stage for a more dramatic game than we ended up getting.
Also, there are extra cosmetics here for your suits, but they aren’t really as amazing as you might think. Some are unlockable through a separate Battle Pass, but we’d recommend that only for the die-hard players out there. There’s plenty you can get in the main game, but, again, the frustration of really only getting anywhere after a few hours does set in.
Not Quite Extinct, But Not Quite Evolved
Exoprimal is definitely a mixed bag. On the one hand, the game’s inability to offer more content up front and put you through a major grind for a good amount of time could turn off many of its potential players. It’ll reward those dedicated enough to stick it out, but Capcom shouldn’t have made it such a prolonged experience.
On the other, however, it looks great, plays well and has some good potential with the right players to go up against. Plus some of the tactics – like taking control of an actual dinosaur – are cool, though a bit short-lived.
If you’re curious to try something new from Capcom, or it’s always been your dream to mow down dozens of dinos back to the Stone Age, Exoprimal is worth a look. But, man, this could’ve been so much more with just a hint of endgame thinking. Where was Dr. Hammond when we needed him?
GAMERHUB SCORE: THREE (out of five) JOYSTICKS
