Barobellum is a first-person PvE extraction shooter that combines action, indie development, and RPG progression elements on PC. Set in the Tyrrhenian Empire, an underwater corporate oligarchy, the game places players in a tense environment where missions involve gathering resources while contending with hostile forces and natural hazards.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on preparing an Autosub for underwater operations, heading into contested zones to complete objectives, and extracting with valuable loot before threats overwhelm the team. Players operate either alone or alongside up to three others, balancing mission goals against the need to manage limited resources during each run. Combat incorporates specific underwater physics, including how bullets behave in water, adjustments for buoyancy to control depth and movement, and interactions with the surrounding environment that can influence positioning or create opportunities. Oxygen levels require constant attention to avoid running out during extended exploration, while encounters with local wildlife add unpredictable dangers that demand quick reactions alongside fights against salvagers and other human opponents. Progression comes through upgrades to the Autosub, which improve capabilities as players advance through the larger conflict unfolding across the empire.
Game Modes
Barobellum supports solo play for those who prefer independent runs focused on personal skill and careful planning. It also includes online co-op options that allow groups of up to four to coordinate efforts on shared missions. The extraction format emphasizes risk and reward, where success depends on efficient looting, survival against multiple threats, and timely return to safety with collected items intact.
Setting and Atmosphere
The Tyrrhenian Empire serves as the backdrop, depicted as a corporate-controlled underwater society marked by oligarchic power structures and ongoing large-scale conflict. This context frames every expedition, turning routine salvage operations into parts of a broader struggle. The submarine wilderness introduces layers of environmental challenge, from pressure and visibility issues to the constant presence of both civilized dangers and untamed aquatic life. These elements shape how players approach navigation, combat, and resource decisions throughout each session.
Is It Worth Playing?
Barobellum targets players interested in extraction shooters that incorporate distinctive underwater mechanics and co-operative or solo flexibility. Its focus on oxygen management, buoyancy, bullet behavior in water, and wildlife encounters differentiates it from standard surface-based titles in the genre. With a planned release in 2028 and no user reviews available yet, the experience remains prospective. Those drawn to methodical mission completion, vehicle upgrades, and high-stakes retrieval in a corporate underwater setting may find the described systems appealing once the game launches. Early interest can be gauged by following development updates from Goblin Energy Games.
