7 /10 2

Exoprimal arrives as Capcom’s ambitious attempt to blend hero shooter mechanics with dinosaur-hunting horde survival. Launching July 2023 across all platforms, this $59.99 multiplayer experience groups players into two five-person squads competing through dinosaur-infested wargames. The game inherits DNA from Earth Defense Force’s wave-based combat and Overwatch’s class-based mechanics, creating a hybrid that initially overwhelms but eventually captivates through sheer spectacle. This review examines Exoprimal’s strengths in cooperative dinosaur mayhem, its struggles with live-service monetization, and why patient players find endgame content substantially more engaging than the grinding early campaign.

How to Play Exoprimal

Exoprimal centers on Dino Survival mode where two teams race to complete objectives faster than opponents. Players select from a roster of exosuits—specialized armor platforms with distinct abilities, loadouts, and playstyles. Each match combines PvE dinosaur elimination with PvP competition as teams compete for objective completion speed.

1. Controls – Standard third-person shooter controls with ability hotkeys mapped to bumpers and triggers. Exosuit abilities range from healing to area damage, creating squad composition strategies. New players should experiment with different exosuit types during story missions before ranked matches.
2. Progression – Players unlock exosuit variants, weapon skins, and story missions by gaining experience. Story missions unlock sequentially, introducing new dinosaur types and enemy varieties. Leveling gates content behind grind initially, with endgame content becoming increasingly accessible.
3. Combat and Mechanics – The core loop involves managing ammo, ability cooldowns, and squad positioning while surviving dinosaur waves. Enemies range from standard velociraptors to boss-tier Neosaurs requiring coordinated squad tactics. Environmental hazards create additional strategic positioning challenges.
4. Tips – Focus on story missions to understand mission mechanics before jumping into ranked competitive play. Exosuit synergies matter; heal-focused squads significantly outperform damage-only compositions in difficult waves. Communication with teammates proves essential.

Who Should Play Exoprimal

Exoprimal appeals to squad-based multiplayer enthusiasts seeking cooperative challenges with competitive stakes. The game shines brightest for groups with dedicated friend squads who commit to mastering exosuit synergies and communication.

• PvE Cooperative Players – Those preferring dinosaur slaying to direct PvP competition appreciate the pure Dino Survival mode without forced competition. Cooperative scenarios deliver Earth Defense Force-like satisfaction through horde elimination.
• Live-Service Enthusiasts – Players comfortable with seasonal battle passes and rotating content find Capcom’s rotating seasonal structure engaging. Monster Hunter and Street Fighter crossovers add variety throughout seasons.
• Squad-Based Competitors – Organized groups with Discord voice communication unlock Exoprimal’s full potential. Squad chemistry and exosuit synergies create competitive depth absent in solo queue.
• Skip if – Solo players, budget-conscious gamers, and those uncomfortable with $60 entry plus cosmetic monetization should reconsider. Exoprimal punishes solo queue players through matchmaking imbalance and requires sustained engagement for worthwhile progression.

Exoprimal Platform Performance

Exoprimal demands modern mid-range hardware to maintain smooth 60 FPS gameplay. The 50GB install reflects current-generation visual quality standards. Performance targets 1080p/60fps minimum, with next-gen consoles pushing higher resolutions.

Exoprimal System Requirements

Exoprimal requires modern PC hardware for comfortable 60 FPS gameplay. The 50GB storage footprint reflects its extensive asset library. Recommended specs assume 1080p/60fps on medium settings; high-end rigs achieve 1440p/60fps+ easily.

Similar Games to Exoprimal

Exoprimal occupies a unique space between PvE horde shooters and PvP-focused hero shooters. Several established franchises provide comparable experiences across different mechanical emphasis.

• Earth Defense Force Series – Pure PvE horde shooter with simpler mechanics but deeper mission variety. Direct gameplay inspiration though lacks Exoprimal’s competitive elements.
• Overwatch 2 – Free-to-play hero shooter with team composition strategy and ability cooldowns. Gameplay similarities exist though Overwatch focuses entirely on PvP without PvE missions.
• Deep Rock Galactic – Cooperative four-player horde shooter emphasizing teamwork and objective completion. Lacks competitive modes but delivers stronger cooperative gameplay loops.
• Warhammer 40K Darktide – Squad-based cooperative horde shooter with character specialization. Similar cooperative DNA though smaller maximum squad size and no PvP component.

Exoprimal vs Competitors

Exoprimal competes at the intersection of cooperative horde shooters and competitive team-based multiplayer. The comparison reveals how live-service monetization and full-price positioning impact competitive standing.

Exoprimal Story and World

Exoprimal constructs a science fiction narrative around time-displaced military units battling dinosaurs through mysterious wargames. In 2043, Patrol Squad Hammerheads become trapped in a temporal anomaly on Bikitoa Island, forced by the rogue AI Leviathan to participate in combat wargames across multiple timelines. The story explores themes of AI corruption and alternate timelines while explaining why players repeatedly fight dinosaurs in identical scenarios. Narrative cutscenes occur between missions, introducing squad personalities and mystery elements. Voice acting ranges from serviceable to occasionally cringeworthy, though the bombastic tone matches the absurd premise. Environmental storytelling through stage design communicates the desperation of dinosaur-infested zones effectively.

Exoprimal Multiplayer and Online

Exoprimal features exclusively online multiplayer with no offline campaign. Dino Survival mode combines PvE dinosaur elimination with PvP competition as two squads race to complete shared objectives. Cross-platform play unifies player pools across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

• Dino Survival – Primary game mode supporting two five-player teams. Both teams face dinosaur waves simultaneously while competing to complete objectives first. Victory goes to the team finishing missions with superior completion time.
• Savage Gauntlet – Post-launch cooperative raid-like experience for five-player squads. No PvP component; focuses purely on surviving escalating dinosaur waves without competitive pressure.
• Story Campaign – Linear mission progression featuring PvP objectives mixed with substantial PvE dinosaur encounters. Players unlock story content through leveling, gating campaign progression behind engagement time.
• Cross-Platform – Full cross-play between PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Nintendo Switch players remain absent. Cross-progression enables player accounts across platforms.

Exoprimal DLC and Expansions

Capcom maintains aggressive seasonal content rotation featuring new exosuit variants, cosmetics, and story missions. Battle pass systems monetize cosmetics while preserving gameplay balance. Major collaborations with Monster Hunter and Street Fighter add branded content.

• Survival Passes – Rotating seasonal battle passes offer free and premium tiers. Premium passes cost $9.99 and include cosmetics, currency, and exclusive cosmetic variants. Passes rotate monthly across Seasons 1-4.
• New Exosuit Variants – Seasonal updates introduce new exosuit options with unique playstyles and ability loadouts. These remain gameplay-relevant rather than cosmetic, ensuring season-to-season engagement.
• Monster Hunter Crossover – Season 3 includes Monster Hunter World collaboration featuring branded cosmetics and story mission integration. Street Fighter 6 cosmetics appear as crossover skins.
• Story Expansions – Regular story mission additions expand campaign narrative, introducing new dinosaur types and explaining world-building details through playable scenarios.

Exoprimal Community and Support

Capcom actively manages Exoprimal’s community through official channels with transparent development roadmaps. The developer regularly solicits player feedback through surveys and implements balance changes based on competitive feedback.

• Official Forums – Capcom operates dedicated forums for bug reports and feature discussions. Developer responses appear regularly though not instantaneously, showing genuine engagement.
• Community Hubs – Reddit’s r/exoprimal maintains active discussion with approximately 15,000 members. Discord servers organize squad formation and raid planning.
• Seasonal Updates – Capcom publishes detailed roadmaps showing upcoming seasons, exosuit variants, and collaboration announcements. Transparency builds player confidence in long-term support commitment.
• Balance Patches – Regular patches address exosuit balance, ability tuning, and bug fixes. Seasonal rebalancing ensures previous-season exosuits remain viable against newer variants.