Exile Protocol Demo Gameplay

In late 2025, Exile Protocol has emerged as a high-stakes entry in the “extraction horror” genre. Developed by TopVR, it is a first-person co-op shooter that combines the procedural tension of Lethal Company with the hardcore looting and gunplay of Escape from Tarkov.

The game currently has a Free Demo available on Steam (released October 2025), which has allowed the community to test its brutal mechanics before the full launch.

1. Core Gameplay: Hardcore Extraction

Unlike arcade shooters, Exile Protocol is designed to be punishing.

• The Loop: You and up to three friends are deployed into procedurally generated bunkers. You must scavenge for valuable technology and gear, then reach an extraction elevator to secure your loot.
• Perma-Death: If you die during a run, your character and all the gear you were carrying are permanently lost. This creates a high-tension atmosphere where every firefight is a massive risk.
• Proximity Voice Chat: The game uses a realistic audio engine. Your voice echoes differently depending on the bunker’s size, but more importantly, monsters can hear you. If you shout to a teammate, you might accidentally draw a swarm to your location.

2. The Monsters: Dynamic Threats

The “nightmarish creatures” in the bunkers aren’t just fodder; they have specific sensory behaviors:

• Sound-Sensitive: Some enemies are blind but can track you by the sound of your footsteps or reloads.
• Light-Drawn: Using your flashlight is necessary to navigate the dark, but certain predators are attracted to light, forcing you to choose between visibility and stealth.
• AI Aggression: Recent patches (v0.0.40) have updated monster behaviors so they are less likely to run away and more likely to coordinate ambushes in the dark.

3. Loadouts and Customization

Between runs, you return to a Space Station hub to prepare.

• Deep Modding: You can customize your firearms with various scopes, magazines, suppressors, and laser sights. Suppressors are highly valued by the community to avoid alerting the entire floor.
• Stat-Based Gear: Looted armor and clothing provide buffs to health, stamina, and “noise suppression” (stealth).
• Toxic Environments: Some zones feature “Toxic” or “Poison” air, requiring specific masks or filters that blur your vision and alter your hearing.

4. Technical Status (December 2025)