Exo One

Exo One is a sci-fi simulation game where players explore alien landscapes by piloting a futuristic exo-suit, blending flight mechanics with puzzle-solving. Set in a visually stunning, otherworldly environment, the game emphasizes fluid movement and atmospheric storytelling, offering a meditative yet challenging experience as players traverse surreal terrains and uncover the mysteries of an unknown world.

Exo One: A Cosmic Odyssey of Movement, Mystery, and Melancholy

Introduction: The Allure of the Unknown

Exo One is a game that defies easy categorization. At its core, it is a momentum-based traversal experience, a sci-fi exploration sim, and a meditative journey through surreal alien landscapes. Yet, to reduce it to these labels would be to overlook its most compelling quality: its ability to evoke a sense of awe, isolation, and existential wonder. Released in November 2021 by Australian developer Exbleative and published by Future Friends Games, Exo One is a game that feels both timeless and timely, a love letter to the golden age of sci-fi exploration games like Journey and Flower, while carving out its own niche in the modern indie landscape.

From the moment you take control of the eponymous Exo One—a shape-shifting alien spacecraft—you are thrust into a world where physics, gravity, and momentum dictate your every move. There are no enemies to fight, no dialogue trees to navigate, and no traditional objectives beyond reaching the next beacon. Instead, Exo One is about the sheer joy of movement, the thrill of defying gravity, and the quiet contemplation of what it means to be alone in the cosmos.

This review will dissect Exo One in exhaustive detail, exploring its development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, artistic vision, critical reception, and lasting legacy. By the end, we will determine whether Exo One is a fleeting experiment in indie game design or a modern classic that redefines what a sci-fi adventure can be.

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Development History & Context: The Birth of a Cosmic Dream

The Vision of Jay Weston

Exo One is the brainchild of Jay Weston, a solo developer whose ambition was to create a game that captured the feeling of flying through alien worlds with a sense of weight, speed, and freedom. Weston’s inspiration came from a mix of classic and modern influences:
– Tiny Wings (2011): The iOS game’s momentum-based physics and hill-rolling mechanics served as a foundational blueprint.
– Journey (2012): The emotional storytelling, vast deserts, and meditative gameplay of Journey left an indelible mark on Exo One’s atmospheric design.
– Marble Madness (1984): The isometric rolling mechanics and precision platforming of this arcade classic can be seen in Exo One’s gravity-defying traversal.
– 2001: A Space Odyssey & Contact: The themes of alien contact, cosmic mystery, and human insignificance permeate the game’s narrative.

Weston began full-time development in early 2016, but the project truly gained momentum when he launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2017. The campaign sought AU$35,000 and ultimately raised AU$40,103 from 1,076 backers, proving that there was an audience hungry for this kind of experimental sci-fi experience.

The Team Behind the Craft

While Exo One is largely Weston’s vision, it was brought to life by a small but talented team:
– Rhys Lindsay: Composed the hypnotic electric guitar soundtrack, which dynamically shifts with the player’s momentum, creating a sonic representation of speed and isolation.
– Tim McBurnie: Provided concept art, helping to shape the game’s surreal, otherworldly aesthetic.
– David Kazi: Assisted with coding and sound design, ensuring the game’s physics and audio were as polished as possible.
– Jon Ingold: Served as a story consultant, helping to refine the game’s abstract, fragmented narrative.

Technological Constraints & the Unity Engine

Exo One was built using the Unity engine, a choice that allowed for cross-platform compatibility (PC, Xbox, and later PlayStation) while maintaining a small development footprint. However, the game’s procedural-like world generation and physics-based movement presented unique challenges:
– Planetary Scale & Performance: Creating vast, open landscapes that could be traversed seamlessly required careful optimization to avoid performance drops.
– Gravity & Momentum Systems: The game’s core mechanics—rolling, gliding, and flying—required precise physics tuning to feel responsive yet forgiving.
– Dynamic Audio & Visuals: The soundtrack and environmental effects had to adapt in real-time to the player’s speed and actions, adding layers of immersion.

To refine these systems, Weston released Exo One: Prologue in August 2020, a free demo that allowed players to experience a single planet and provided valuable feedback ahead of the full release.

The Gaming Landscape at Launch (2021)

Exo One arrived at a time when indie games were flourishing, but also facing increased competition. The Xbox Game Pass ecosystem, where Exo One launched as a day-one title, was becoming a haven for experimental indie games, offering them greater visibility than ever before. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S had just launched, creating a demand for next-gen experiences that could showcase the power of new hardware.

In this context, Exo One stood out for its:
– Minimalist, non-combat gameplay: A stark contrast to the action-heavy blockbusters dominating the market.
– Short, focused experience: At 3-5 hours, it was a palate cleanser in an era of 100-hour open-world epics.
– Atmospheric storytelling: A narrative delivered through fragments, leaving players to interpret its meaning.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: A Story of Loss, Redemption, and Cosmic Mystery

Plot Summary: The Jupiter Flyer Tragedy

Exo One’s story is deliberately vague, told through fleeting audio logs, environmental cues, and abstract visuals. Piecing it together requires close attention and interpretation, but the broad strokes are as follows:

1. The Jupiter Flyer Mission: The game opens with a disastrous expedition to Jupiter, where a crewed vessel—the Jupiter Flyer—encounters an alien monolith and suffers a catastrophic failure. The entire crew perishes, except for one survivor: the player character, who returns to Earth alone.
2. The Alien Signal: Months later, Earth receives a mysterious transmission containing blueprints for the Exo One, an alien spacecraft capable of interstellar travel and time manipulation. The player, haunted by the loss of their crew, claims the signal was meant for them.
3. The Theft & Journey: After NASA’s failed attempt to launch the Exo One with another pilot, the player steals the craft and embarks on a journey across six alien worlds, each containing ancient monoliths that serve as gateways to the next destination.
4. The Time-Space Singularity: The final planet houses a black hole-like singularity, which the player uses to travel back in time to the moment of the Jupiter Flyer’s destruction. By intervening, they save the crew, but at a cost: the player is trapped in Jupiter’s atmosphere, left to drift eternally in the clouds.

Themes: Isolation, Redemption, and the Unknown

Exo One’s narrative is not about plot twists or character arcs—it’s about emotion, atmosphere, and existential questions. The game explores several key themes:

1. The Weight of Survival & Guilt

• The player is the sole survivor of a tragic mission, carrying the burden of loss and the desire for redemption.
• The journey is both physical and psychological, a quest to undo the past and find closure.

2. Humanity’s Insignificance in the Cosmos

• The alien worlds are vast, empty, and indifferent—a reminder of how small humanity is in the grand scheme of the universe.
• The monoliths and ruins suggest ancient civilizations that have long since vanished, reinforcing the fragility of existence.

3. The Nature of Time & Fate

• The time-space singularity raises questions about predestination and free will.
• The ambiguous ending leaves players wondering: Did the player truly change the past, or were they always meant to be trapped?

4. The Beauty of Exploration

• Unlike games that reward players with loot or XP, Exo One rewards curiosity and movement.
• The joy of discovery—whether it’s a hidden orb, a monolith, or a breathtaking vista—is the true driving force.

Storytelling Techniques: Fragmentation & Ambiguity

Exo One’s narrative is not told through cutscenes or dialogue—it’s embedded in the environment:
– Audio Logs: Muffled, distorted voices hint at the Jupiter Flyer’s final moments.
– Visual Flashbacks: Brief, surreal images (a burning ship, a crew member’s face) appear during key moments.
– Environmental Storytelling: The alien ruins, monoliths, and landscapes suggest a history far older than humanity.

This minimalist approach means that players must piece together the story themselves, leading to multiple interpretations:
– Was the Exo One a gift or a trap?
– Are the aliens benevolent, or did they cause the Jupiter Flyer’s destruction?
– Is the player truly saving the crew, or are they doomed to repeat the cycle?

The Ending: Ambiguity & Interpretation

The game’s final moments are its most controversial and thought-provoking:
– After saving the crew, the player is left alone in Jupiter’s atmosphere, with the Exo One drifting endlessly.
– Some interpret this as a tragic sacrifice—the player is forever separated from humanity.
– Others see it as a form of transcendence—the player has fulfilled their destiny and is now free to explore the cosmos.

The lack of a definitive answer is what makes Exo One’s story so compelling. It’s a narrative that lingers, inviting replay and discussion.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: The Art of Momentum

Core Gameplay Loop: Roll, Glide, Fly

Exo One’s gameplay is deceptively simple but deeply satisfying. The entire experience revolves around three movement modes:

1. Rolling (Sphere Mode)

• The Exo One increases its mass, becoming a heavy, fast-moving sphere.
• Ideal for descending slopes, building momentum for jumps and glides.
• Controls: Holding the gravity trigger increases weight, allowing for faster rolls and sharper turns.

2. Gliding (Disc Mode)

• The Exo One flattens into a disc, allowing for aerodynamic flight.
• Catching thermals, riding wind currents, and skimming water are key to maintaining speed.
• Controls: Releasing the gravity trigger reduces weight, enabling longer, smoother glides.

3. Flying (Thrust Mode)

• The Exo One releases stored energy, propelling itself upward or forward.
• Used to break free from gravity, reach high altitudes, or cross vast distances.
• Controls: Timing the release of gravity is crucial for maximizing airtime.

Physics & Momentum: The Heart of the Game

The physics system is Exo One’s greatest strength:
– Gravity Manipulation: The player can adjust the Exo One’s weight to control speed and trajectory.
– Terrain Interaction: Slopes, cliffs, and water all affect momentum—mastering the environment is key to efficient traversal.
– Energy Management: Orbs scattered across the world replenish energy, allowing for longer flights and faster rolls.

Level Design: A Journey Across Six Worlds

Each of Exo One’s six planets offers a unique traversal challenge:

Planet	Environment	Key Mechanics	Challenges
Desert World	Endless red dunes	Rolling, momentum-building	Learning the basics of gravity control
Mountain World	Towering cliffs, storms	Gliding, thermal riding	Navigating wind currents and storms
Water World	Vast oceans, waves	Skimming, wave-riding	Maintaining speed on a fluid surface
Volcanic World	Lava rivers, ash clouds	Precision jumps, heat avoidance	Avoiding hazards while building momentum
Ice World	Frozen peaks, slippery surfaces	Controlled slides, icy traversal	Managing slippery terrain and cold winds
Final World (Singularity)	Black hole, time distortion	High-speed flight, orbital mechanics	Reaching the singularity to alter time

Progression & Upgrades

• Energy Orbs: Increase max speed and glide distance.
• Monoliths: Serve as checkpoints and story triggers.
• No Traditional Upgrades: The Exo One does not gain new abilities—mastery comes from player skill.

Flaws & Frustrations

While Exo One’s gameplay is largely brilliant, it is not without issues:
– Camera Problems: The fixed behind-view camera can obstruct vision, especially in tight spaces.
– Repetitive Structure: Some planets drag on too long, leading to fatigue (e.g., the Water World).
– Lack of Replayability: Once completed, there’s little incentive to revisit beyond admiring the scenery.

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World-Building, Art & Sound: A Sensory Masterpiece

Visual Design: A Surreal Sci-Fi Dreamscape

Exo One’s art direction is stunning, blending:
– Hyper-realistic landscapes (rolling dunes, stormy oceans).
– Surreal, alien architecture (monoliths, ruins, floating structures).
– Vibrant, otherworldly colors (neon blues, fiery oranges, icy whites).

The sense of scale is overwhelming—players feel tiny against the vastness of the planets, reinforcing the themes of isolation and wonder.

Sound Design: A Hypnotic Soundtrack

Composer Rhys Lindsay crafted a soundtrack that adapts to the player’s movement:
– Electric guitar riffs intensify during high-speed glides.
– Ambient synths create a meditative atmosphere during slow exploration.
– Dynamic audio cues (wind, sonic booms, alien whispers) enhance immersion.

Atmosphere: The Power of Silence

Exo One doesn’t rely on constant noise—silence is just as important as sound. The absence of music during key moments (e.g., drifting through space) amplifies the sense of loneliness.

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Reception & Legacy: A Cult Classic in the Making?

Critical Reception: Praise & Criticism

Exo One received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its:
✅ Innovative movement mechanics (“A deliriously fun trip through sci-fi dreamscapes.” – Polygon)
✅ Stunning visuals and soundtrack (“A joyous, otherworldly ride.” – The Guardian)
✅ Atmospheric storytelling (“A powerful experience that burns itself into your mind.” – Everyeye.it)

However, some critics noted:
❌ Short length (3-5 hours) (“Loses momentum too quickly.” – Rock Paper Shotgun)
❌ Repetitive level design (“Some worlds overstay their welcome.” – Jeuxvideo.com)
❌ Vague narrative (“The story feels tertiary to the experience.” – Polygon)

Commercial Performance & Influence

• Strong debut on Xbox Game Pass (2 million players).
• Steady sales on Steam (179,500 owners as of 2025).
• Influenced later indie games (e.g., Exo-Calibre, BEAST: Bio Exo Arena Suit Team).

Legacy: A Game That Sticks With You

Exo One is not a game for everyone—it’s short, abstract, and deliberately ambiguous. But for those who connect with its vision, it’s an unforgettable experience.

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Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Movement & Mystery

Exo One is more than just a game—it’s a journey. A journey through alien worlds, through time and space, and through the depths of human emotion.

Final Verdict: 9/10 – A Modern Indie Classic

Pros:
✔ Innovative, momentum-based gameplay that feels unlike anything else.
✔ Breathtaking visuals and a hypnotic soundtrack.
✔ A story that lingers in the mind long after completion.

Cons:
✖ Some worlds feel repetitive or overly long.
✖ Camera and control issues can frustrate.
✖ Lack of replayability beyond the first playthrough.

Exo One is not a perfect game, but it is a perfect experience—one that transcends traditional game design and leaves a lasting impression.

If you’ve ever dreamed of soaring through alien skies, defying gravity, and unraveling cosmic mysteries, Exo One is a journey you won’t want to miss. 🚀