Let’s delve into the enigmatic world of Exoprimal, the latest outing from the powerhouse that is Capcom. With a rich lineage of producing classics, Capcom has once again stepped up to the plate, delivering an interesting blend of team-based shooting and prehistoric chaos. Yet, while many immediately connected this to a revival of a dinosaur-packed franchise of old, we must set the record straight: this is not the covert Dino Crisis reincarnation that some might have been secretly wishing for.
For those not up-to-speed with late ’90s gaming, Dino Crisis was an innovative, yet underappreciated, gem in Capcom’s portfolio, seamlessly fusing survival horror with prehistoric perils. Launched back in 1999, the game shared much in common with Capcom’s iconic Resident Evil series, not least the guiding hand of Shinji Mikami. Yet, despite these ties and a cult following, the Dino Crisis franchise met a premature extinction post the ill-received third installment on the Xbox in 2003.
While whispers of a possible Dino Crisis rebirth have been circulating ever since, when the rumors of Exoprimal began to bubble up, fans were alight with hope. And, while Exoprimal may not be the Dino Crisis successor many were hoping for, it’s an innovative and intriguing offering in its own right. As we’ll explore, it’s a title that revels in the old-school Capcom ethos while simultaneously offering a fresh take on team-based multiplayer action. So, set aside your dreams of a Dino Crisis revival and come with us as we take a deep dive into the whirlwind world of Exoprimal as we will review this game.
A Dive into the Narrative: AI, Dinosaurs, and Time Travel
Exoprimal crafts an intricate, multifaceted storyline brimming with engaging features and a backdrop that’s as intriguing as it is challenging. This is not your average tale of survival against prehistoric beasts; it’s a layered narrative involving an evil AI, time travel, and an assortment of factions vying for supremacy in an unpredictable battleground.
The narrative of Exoprimal kicks off with a high-stakes concept, placing us under the command of an omnipotent AI. This AI propels us into chaotic war games where we’re tasked with testing different mech suits, all while dealing with a continuous onslaught of dinosaurs. These prehistoric beasts aren’t just regular dinosaurs, though. They are products of an unusual form of mutation, specifically crafted for the tests we are thrust into.
Now, let’s shift our focus to the setting that plays host to this conflict: the mystic Bikitoa Island. This place is more than just an arena for these war games—it plays an influential role in shaping the gameplay. The island’s rugged terrain, lush vegetation, and dynamic weather patterns provide a compelling backdrop for these intense matches. These factors add an additional layer of strategy, requiring us to adapt to the surroundings and use them to our advantage.
The narrative, however, is not straightforward. It is told in parts, creating a sense of suspense and intrigue as players advance through the game. The plot is unraveled through a mix of in-game action, cutscenes, and unlockable content such as audio logs. These elements add depth to the story, allowing players to dive into the lore of Exoprimal at their own pace.
Capcom has infused Exoprimal’s narrative with a delicate blend of humor and intensity. The goofy banter between characters, the somewhat outlandish plot, and the unpredictable chaos of the battleground all work in harmony to create a narrative experience that is both entertaining and compelling.
Yet, it’s essential to bear in mind that the execution of this narrative is not perfect. Some may find it cluttered or convoluted, particularly with the multitude of elements Capcom has incorporated. But for those who enjoy diving deep into a game’s lore, piecing together the narrative puzzle that is Exoprimal can be a rewarding experience.
In summary, the storyline of Exoprimal is a wild rollercoaster ride, where you face off against mutated dinosaurs on an unpredictable island under the commands of an evil AI. It’s a thrilling fusion of survival, strategy, and discovery that forms an engaging foundation for this multiplayer shooter.
The Dance with Dinosaurs: A Journey into Exoprimal’s Gameplay
In Exoprimal, you are thrust into an intricate dance of survival and strategy where your primary tools are the unique exosuits and your wits. At the start of each match, players choose from a selection of mech suits, each divided into three broad class types. Whether it’s the heavy-duty tank type or the more supportive roles, your choice will heavily dictate your play style and strategic approach to the game’s varying objectives.
These exosuits aren’t just for show—they come equipped with unique ultimate moves and specialties. As a player, it’s crucial to understand and harness these capabilities to adapt to the dynamic battlefield that awaits. Additionally, the exosuits can be customized, giving players a sense of individuality and further depth in shaping their gameplay strategy.
The Art of Objectives: PvP and PvE in Exoprimal
Each game unfolds as a round-based match, presenting players with a diverse range of objectives. The game kicks off with the players focusing on PvE (Player versus Environment) elements, which primarily involve combat against AI-controlled dinosaurs. Objectives during this phase can range from simple missions like exterminating a certain number of dinosaurs to more complex tasks like capturing control points and escorting high-value packages.
However, the gameplay quickly shifts gears as PvP (Player versus Player) elements are introduced. After a few rounds, the once-separated teams converge on the same playing field, turning the tide of the match from cooperative survival against dinosaurs to a heated competition between rival teams. The game transitions from a dinosaur survival game to a more traditional competitive shooter, creating a unique blend of gameplay styles.
The Dominator: A Beast of a Twist
Capcom has tossed in an intriguing twist to these matches with the addition of Dominator pickups. These rare items give a player the power to control a giant dinosaur, turning the tide of the battle in their favor. They usually end up in the hands of the team’s lowest performing player, offering a chance to reverse their fortunes. The sheer novelty of controlling a prehistoric behemoth brings an element of unpredictability and excitement to the matches.
Critique: The Taste of Repetition
While Exoprimal offers a unique blend of gameplay mechanics, it is not without its flaws. Perhaps the most significant critique that can be leveled against it is the repetitive nature of its gameplay. Despite the diverse objectives, the novelty of battling dinosaurs alongside and against fellow players begins to wear off as the lack of variety in gameplay becomes more apparent.
The gameplay, while initially exhilarating, often falls into a pattern of similar objectives repeated across different matches. Though each match may begin with a different mission, there’s a notable lack of freshness as the game progresses. You can only kill so many dinosaurs or capture so many control points before it starts to feel like a grind.
Moreover, the actual gunplay and combat mechanics, while solid, fail to stand out as extraordinary. They fulfill their purpose but seldom deliver a sense of satisfaction that one might expect from a competitive online shooter. Consequently, the game often leans heavily on its unique dinosaur-oriented premise rather than the depth or quality of its combat.
In essence, while Exoprimal shines with its original concept and intriguing blend of PvE and PvP gameplay, it stumbles in its execution with a noticeable lack of variety and repetitive mission structure. The exosuits, despite their diversity and customization options, struggle to inject a sense of freshness into the overall experience. However, the game does provide moments of genuine fun and novelty, especially when one is fortunate enough to pick up a Dominator and wreak havoc as a giant dinosaur.
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Characters and Exosuits: A Diverse Roster for a Dynamic Battle
In Exoprimal, the diversity of the characters breathes life into the team-based dynamics of the game. Each character, from the rugged soldiers to the clever scientists, carries a unique set of skills and attributes that fit into the overarching strategy of each match. This is not a game where one size fits all; players need to adapt their choice of character to the match objectives, the exosuits they don, and the synergy with their team.
The range of character abilities is far-reaching, from those proficient in crowd control to those adept at healing or bolstering defenses. These individual skills allow for dynamic and strategic gameplay, especially when effectively combined with the special abilities provided by the different exosuits. The developers, it seems, have painstakingly curated a diverse array of characters to cater to various playing styles and strategies.
Exosuits: Your Ticket to the Prehistoric
The exosuits in Exoprimal serve a dual purpose: they provide a necessary defense against the ferocious dinosaurs while equipping players with unique abilities that accentuate their chosen character’s strengths. Each suit falls into one of three broad categories—tank, DPS, or support—each designed for a specific role in the battlefield.
The tank exosuits, built for durability and drawing aggro, are perfect for those who love to be in the thick of the fight. On the other hand, the DPS exosuits are all about offense, tailored for players who enjoy raining down destruction upon their dinosaur foes. Lastly, the support exosuits, although not as flashy, play a critical role, offering crucial healing and buffs that can turn the tide of a match.
Noteworthy Characters: A Few Personal Favorites
Despite the impressive variety of characters and exosuits, a few stand out from the crowd. For instance, the science officer with a support exosuit makes for a unique gameplay experience. They may not lead the pack in terms of damage, but their ability to heal teammates and bolster defenses makes them invaluable in a pitched battle. Plus, their exosuit’s ultimate move, which creates a protective dome, provides an exciting strategic element that can swing a match.
Meanwhile, the military officer donning a tank exosuit provides a polar opposite experience. This character is all about absorbing damage and protecting teammates. The tank exosuit amplifies this strategy, with its own ultimate move drawing the aggro of nearby dinosaurs, ensuring the rest of the team can focus on their objectives.
The beauty of Exoprimal’s roster is the freedom it provides to players to choose a character and exosuit that suits their playing style. From strategizing the best use of the exosuits’ ultimate abilities to working out character synergies, players are provided with plenty of depth to explore and master. This depth, coupled with the team-based dynamics, makes for a gaming experience that, while flawed in some aspects, is undeniably rich in strategic possibilities.
Visual Aesthetics and User Interface: A Tale of Two Facets
Exoprimal’s visual presentation is, in many ways, an impressive testament to Capcom’s expertise in game design. The game boasts well-detailed and colorfully vibrant characters, from the various human protagonists to the colossal prehistoric creatures you encounter. The dinosaurs, in particular, steal the show, each species masterfully designed with intricate details that bring these ancient beasts to life with a near-cinematic flair.
The environments too are worthy of applause. The island of Bikitoa, where the bulk of the action unfolds, is portrayed as a lush and diverse landscape, from dense jungles to arid deserts and everything in between. Each location provides its own unique backdrop to the explosive combat, giving the game a dynamic visual appeal that keeps the experience visually engaging.
Navigating the Battlefield: User Interface
The user interface of Exoprimal, while effective in its functionality, leaves some room for improvement. It manages to provide players with vital information such as health status, objective markers, and squad details in real-time. However, during more hectic moments of gameplay, the screen can feel a bit cluttered, which might affect a player’s combat efficiency.
In comparison to similar games in the genre, Exoprimal’s UI feels somewhat rudimentary. Games like Overwatch, for instance, offer a more refined and streamlined interface that balances the provision of necessary information with a clean, minimalist design. While Exoprimal’s interface is by no means terrible, a bit more fine-tuning could enhance its practicality and user-friendliness.
Exoprimal offers a visually captivating world filled with intriguing characters and breathtaking environments. However, while the game’s UI is functional, it could benefit from some refinements to improve its clarity and ease of use, especially during the game’s more intense, action-packed moments.
Multiplayer Mayhem: A Mixed Bag of Prehistoric Proportions
At the heart of Exoprimal lies the thrill of team-based gameplay. Joining forces with your squadmates, each donning a unique exosuit with its distinct capabilities, and heading into the fray against prehistoric behemoths is an exhilarating experience. As each round progresses, players have to work together, strategically combining their abilities to tackle objectives, deal with dinosaur swarms, and outsmart rival teams. This shared challenge lends an undeniable camaraderie to the experience, enhancing the sense of immersion and competitive spirit.
The PvP and PvE blend also adds a unique twist, keeping the gameplay tense and unpredictable. One moment you’re cooperating with your team to take down a gargantuan dinosaur, the next you’re engaged in an intense firefight with an opposing team. It’s an engaging mix that offers a unique flavor to Exoprimal’s gameplay mechanics.
A Robotic Problem: The Issue with Bots
One issue that detracts from this overall multiplayer experience is the frequent presence of bots in the lobbies. Ideally, a full human roster would make for the most exciting and unpredictable matches. Yet, there are times when human players are in short supply, and bots are used to fill up the remaining slots. Despite the AI’s reasonable competence, they lack the strategic unpredictability that human players bring, making matches feel less engaging and sometimes even repetitive.
Player vs Player: Where Dinosaurs Meet Firepower
Finally, let’s touch on the game’s PvP elements. The chance to pit your skills against other real players while also contending with the chaos of dinosaur hordes introduces an exciting layer of complexity to the gameplay. However, the execution of these mechanics is not without flaws. The balancing can occasionally feel off, with some matches seeming unfairly skewed in favor of one team over another, which can lead to frustration.
Exoprimal’s multiplayer experience offers a blend of exhilarating highs and disappointing lows. It’s a unique concoction of team-based strategy, dinosaur-fighting chaos, and competitive PvP, tainted only by the over-reliance on bots and occasional balancing issues. With some fine-tuning, Capcom could potentially elevate the game to new multiplayer heights.
Summing Up the Dino-Drama: A Final Take on Exoprimal
In the grand scheme of multiplayer shooters, Exoprimal carves out a unique niche for itself with its blend of prehistoric chaos and futuristic combat. At its core, the game thrives on the thrill of team-based battles, the adrenaline rush of fighting dinosaur hordes, and the competitive edge of PvP mechanics. On the flip side, the game has to grapple with the double-edged sword of complexity, which, while providing depth, could alienate some players with its steep learning curve.
The game’s characters, despite their charm and distinct abilities, feel somewhat unoriginal, borrowing heavily from other successful games. Likewise, the over-reliance on bots during multiplayer sessions and occasional balancing issues detract from what could be a truly immersive and unpredictable experience.
Yet, it’s worth noting that Exoprimal is not without its moments of genius. Its unique concept, vibrant aesthetics, and the sheer fun of chaotic dino-battling all contribute to its idiosyncratic charm. There’s a sense of potential within Exoprimal, a spark that could ignite with the right tweaks and improvements in future updates.
The future of Exoprimal is uncertain, but there’s a foundation for something great. With attention to player feedback and continuous development, this game could indeed evolve into a truly memorable and enjoyable multiplayer experience, offering players something more than just a throwback to the Dino Crisis days. One can only hope that Capcom takes note and steers this dino-ship towards a brighter horizon.
The Review
Exoprimal
Exoprimal is a fascinating blend of prehistoric mayhem and futuristic multiplayer shooting, steeped in nostalgia for fans of Capcom's bygone eras. Its unique dinosaur-fighting premise and vibrant aesthetic will appeal to those seeking something out of the ordinary. However, the game's steep learning curve, repetition, and reliance on bots may frustrate some players. With continued refinement, Exoprimal could evolve from a quirky novelty into a standout title in the multiplayer arena.
PROS
- Unique concept of battling dinosaurs in futuristic combat.
- Vibrant visuals and memorable character designs.
- Intricate gameplay with a blend of PvE and PvP mechanics.
- A sense of nostalgia for fans of Capcom's dinosaur-themed games.
CONS
- Steep learning curve and complex mechanics.
- Over-reliance on bots in multiplayer sessions.
- Gameplay can become repetitive over time.
- Characters and exosuits feel derivative of other popular games.
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