One of the more surprising titles set to release this summer is Capcom's Exoprimal, the PvPvE co-op shooter featuring heroes in mech suits attempting to thwart an interdimensional invasion of dinosaurs. Initial impressions of the title have been strong regarding the PvE-side of things, and Capcom recently announced that players will have the ability to completely skip the final PvP-focused phase of each mission when the game launches in July. As what can now be played as a purely PvE co-op experience and is confirmed as a day-one Game Pass title, Exoprimal has a chance to shine on Microsoft's service where Arkane Studios' Redfall fell short of players' expectations.
Live-service co-op titles tend to be a perfect fit for the Game Pass service and many had hoped that Redfall was going to be a satisfying entry into the genre and a reason to re-up their Game Pass subscription. After what can only be described as a disappointing launch amid a myriad of technical issues and a game lacking direction, Redfall stumbled out of the gate and has a long road ahead of it as a live-service title. In contrast, Exoprimal exhibits Capcom's trademark flair for unique action experiences and the recent open beta left players with the impression that fighting dinosaurs in mech suits is just as fun as it sounds.
Exoprimal's Fast-Paced Action Sets it Apart From Other Co-op Titles on Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass continues to validate itself as one of the best deals in gaming. Perhaps the biggest draw to the service is its securing of quality titles at launch as well as a varied and robust library of games across dozens of genres and franchises. While Game Pass has been home to quite a few excellent co-op shooters, most of them are first-person and not centered around the co-op experience, with Back 4 Blood and Redfall being two notable exceptions. Exoprimal's use of a third-person perspective immediately sets it apart from other co-op shooters in the Game Pass library, but its frantic and frenetic combat do as well.
Capcom has established a willingness to partner with Microsoft in bringing titles to Game Pass, including having the Xbox port of Monster Hunter Rise release on the service. The Monster Hunter franchise is one of the more popular co-op action titles in Capcom's stable, but Exoprimal looks to offer something much faster-paced than what players might experience in Monster Hunter Rise or Sunbreak. For players looking to hop into fast-paced co-op action on Game Pass, Exoprimal just may be the next killer app.
Co-op PvE Dino-hunting in Exoprimal Seems Like a Perfect Fit for Game Pass
Games centered around cooperative play are a great fit for Game Pass thanks to the low-cost barrier to entry when compared with buying a new release at retail. As one of the first AAA exclusives for the Xbox following Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda, many players had hoped that Redfall would be the next big co-op live-service title. With the player counts for Redfall continuing to decline and the title's long road to redemption now in front of it, Exoprimal offers what appears to be a worthwhile alternative.
Exoprimal serves as a reminder of what Game Pass is great for -- trying out new titles from unknown publishers or left-field experiments from established studios that might not normally be in a player's preferred genre. As soon as Exoprimal was revealed, many fans lamented the fact of its existence when Capcom could have made a Dino Crisis remake. However, as a unique spin on the co-op shooter formula and an attempt at a live-service game from the seasoned Capcom, Exoprimal could find a dedicated audience thanks to launching on Microsoft's monthly subscription service.
Exoprimal releases July 14, 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.