Exoshock developers, PolarityOne are offering players the chance to purchase access to the final testing phase of development before launching in Early Access. We try out the Founders Edition to see what’s on offer now and what’s still to come before the game’s official release.
Exoshock has been one of the most hotly anticipated VR shooters on my radar for quite some time. Originally announced back in March 2025, PolarityOne’s sci-fi shooter immediately caught my attention thanks to its intense first-person combat, visceral visual effects and an intensity that felt unlike much of what was being shown in VR at the time.
Those early trailers had a kinetic energy that was hard to ignore. Camera shake, heavy weapon feedback and chaotic firefights all suggested something that could finally scratch that elusive big-budget sci-fi shooter itch many VR players have been craving.
In late 2025, PolarityOne made the decision to delay Exoshock beyond its originally planned Fall 2025 launch. That delay not only gives the developers room to work on the core VR experience, but to focus on the game’s flat screen version as well. Far from being a last minute pivot amidst the uncertainty of the current market, the developers had planned for a hybrid game all along.
Nicholas Bechen, Lead Developer (one of the two developers that make up PolarityOne) says “From the beginning, the goal was to build an intense, satisfying cooperative shooter that could work in both VR and flatscreen, while helping bridge the gap between those player bases through cross-play. Very few games have seriously attempted that, and even fewer have designed around both formats from the start.”
How the (bleep) did they board us?!
Pushing Forward
Following a successful open testing period, PolarityOne have announced a new way to access the game during the final stages of development. Dubbed ‘The Founders Edition’, players can now purchase access to the development version of Exoshock at the ‘lowest price it will ever be’.
At $12.99, the Founders Edition essentially functions as a kind of ‘early early access’ for players eager to jump in before the Early Access launch later this year. Buying-in grants access to every build released between now and launch, while also guaranteeing ownership of the game on your chosen platform once it officially enters Early Access.
For players who like to follow a game’s development and see systems evolve in real time, it’s a compelling proposition.
That said, it’s worth being clear about what is and isn’t currently present. Right now, the Founders Edition offers a complete and engaging set of mechanics but is still missing some key elements that bring these together into a finished gameplay loop. PolarityOne are upfront about this, though.
Access to a new map, a new objective type, co-op multiplayer and a progression system are already on the roadmap, set to be implemented first in the Founders Edition before arriving in the broader Early Access release.
Contact!
At its core, Exoshock is a visceral first-person sci-fi shooter built around tactical mercenary-style missions. When it launches into Early Access, the full experience is set to revolve around four-player co-op missions fueled by tactical decision making and intense combat. Missions are available in a range of difficulty options, and these options make a world of difference in how the scenario will play out.
Once selected from a job board in a central hub world, players will deploy into a variety of industrial-looking sci-fi environments with objectives that range from assassinating key targets and stealing access cards to sabotaging systems and extracting defectors.
The setup feels smart. Rather than simply throwing players into wave-based firefights, Exoshock appears to be aiming for something with a little more structure and tension. Before each mission, players choose their loadout from four item slots and three weapon slots, covering a main weapon, sidearm and special weapon. Even in the current build, that level of choice already adds a welcome tactical edge.
Good Bones
The strongest thing I can say about Exoshock right now is that the core mechanics already feel fantastic.
Gunplay is excellent. Every weapon I used felt satisfying, punchy and weighty in the hand. There’s a real sense of impact to firefights, with every encounter carrying an intensity that made me want to push forward and see what was around the next corner.
Loadout flexibility also adds a nice tactical layer. Choosing the right combination of weapons and items before heading out makes a tangible difference, and there’s enough variety in how you can approach encounters to make experimentation feel worthwhile. You can already tell that once multiplayer goes live squads will be able to designate roles and choose the gear to match.
Even in its current single-player-only state, missions are consistently engaging. One thing that helps immensely is the quality of the AI squadmates. In many games, AI companions are little more than background noise – shambling around, blocking doorways and occasionally getting themselves killed. That’s very much not the case here.
Across the missions I played, my three AI teammates were genuinely useful. They took sensible positions in firefights, laid down suppressing fire when needed, and more than once got me out of trouble when things started to go south.
That level of competence goes a long way toward making the solo experience feel worthwhile, rather than like a stopgap while waiting for co-op.
If Looks Could Kill
Probably the most impressive and original thing about Exoshock right now is the atmosphere it creates.
Visually, the game is already excellent. PolarityOne’s use of lighting is particularly strong, creating an oppressive sense of tension as you move through dark corridors, expansive hangars and industrial ship interiors.
Some of the most memorable moments I had came in lower-lit sections where visibility dropped significantly and I was forced to rely almost entirely on the flashlight mounted to my weapon. Those moments were genuinely tense in a way that surprised me. For a straight shooter, Exoshock already does an outstanding job of building suspense.
The sound design is equally impressive. The soundtrack does an excellent job of shifting between quiet, tension-building ambience and full adrenaline-fueled intensity once firefights erupt. It’s dynamic in exactly the way that games like this need.
Weapon effects are also great. Every gun has the right amount of crunch and punch, making firefights feel almost overwhelming in their intensity at times. Combined with the visual effects and strong environmental audio, it all works together to create a cohesive and immersive experience.
Last Merc Standing
Based on what I’ve played so far, Exoshock is shaping up to be one of the most exciting shooters VR has seen in a long time. The foundations are incredibly strong; the gunplay is satisfying, the atmosphere is excellent and the overall presentation already feels polished in all the areas that matter most.
For those who just can’t wait, the Founders Edition offers a chance to look behind the curtain as the last gameplay elements are implemented. For those who prefer to hold out until things are finished, the good news is that Exoshock already has enough going for it to make it one to keep an eye on.
I know I’ll certainly be there for every major update – and when Exoshock properly launches into Early Access, you can guarantee I’ll be in those servers on day one.
