Exterminauts, a cooperative shooter from Behaviour Interactive, the studio behind Dead by Daylight, may look like Helldivers 2, but its gameplay structure is much closer to Deep Rock Galactic. That is the impression following a developer-led demonstration featuring several hours of the alpha version on lower difficulty settings.
Image credit: Exterminauts
What is Exterminauts?
According to PC Gamer, the development team behind Exterminauts is different from the one responsible for Dead by Daylight. The developers acknowledge the visual similarities to Helldivers 2 but say their game had already been in development for years before Arrowhead's title launched in 2024.
The setting is also different. Players take control of militarized exterminators tasked with clearing pests from the planet Tian so that corporate interests can exploit the region's resources. PC Gamer highlights the game's progression system, classes, and missions as elements that bring it closer to Deep Rock Galactic and Mycopunk.
Sponsors, gadgets, and firmware upgrades
Each mission begins with players choosing a sponsor, which functions much like a character class. Each sponsor provides passive bonuses and an exclusive power weapon. The PC Gamer writer tested one option equipped with a healing tool and a damage-focused lightning gun.
Players can also bring gadgets such as ammo crates, medical kits, and automated turrets. Behaviour acknowledged that turrets are currently overpowered, with a single unit capable of taking down an entire horde on its own.
Sponsors can be customized using firmware, which is unlocked through gameplay. The modifiers shown during the demonstration were relatively small, including increased ice damage and health recovery after eliminating enemies. These upgrades can also be stacked.
Maps, enemies, and difficulty settings
The maps featured in the demonstration consisted of canyons containing corporate mining facilities. Main objectives and optional tasks are marked from the beginning, while several missions require players to solve computer-screen puzzles to reactivate structures. This mission design also brings Helldivers 2 to mind.
Instead of insects or robots, the enemies include monstrous plants and flying squids. The PC Gamer writer described giant six-legged carnivorous flytraps and flying tulips covered in spikes.
According to PC Gamer, the game felt more casual than other titles in the genre during this alpha build:
- Mouse-based weapon controls are straightforward.
- Friendly fire is minimal or nonexistent.
- Ammunition is available at every point of interest.
- A respawn system allows players to bring fallen teammates back into the mission.
The writer felt that the lack of danger made the demonstration too basic and occasionally boring, with little sense of risk. However, they believe this could be addressed and consider the game to have a solid foundation, while noting that only lower difficulty levels were available to test.
Exterminauts' seasons and in-game purchases
Behaviour plans to release large and frequent updates, including 12-week seasons and sponsorship packs featuring new weapons, gadgets, cosmetics, and firmware modifiers. The idea is to make content relatively easy to unlock through gameplay, while also offering early access through real-money purchases.
Do you prefer the cooperative gameplay style of Helldivers 2 or Deep Rock Galactic? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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