PUBG has introduced a new PvE mode called 'Xeno Point.' It is a roguelite mode with a premise where four players resist an alien invasion on Miramar, making it a perfect fit for those who want to enjoy some casual small talk with friends. It offers a chance to experience casual co-op gameplay beyond the standard 'Battle Royale' format of PUBG.

Low-Risk Zones for 'Growth,' High-Risk Zones for 'Jackpots'

Xeno Point is designed primarily for a PvE experience. Since it is player-vs-AI, it offers a lighter gameplay feel compared to the traditional PUBG 'Battle Royale.'

The gameplay is intuitive. Xeno Point consists of various sectors, each classified by risk level: 'Low,' 'Medium,' and 'High.' The goal is to start by clearing 'Low' risk zones to farm essential survival items, then gradually move into 'Medium' and 'High' zones to acquire 'high-value items' and 'upgrades.

There is little difficulty in low-risk zones. The aliens themselves are mostly 'cute' or non-threatening enemies like 'Crawlers' or 'Grunts.' In these zones, the experience is so straightforward that you might wonder if the aliens are actually invading Miramar or if you are simply hunting them.

Of course, this sentiment changes once you move into high-risk zones. From this point on, tougher elite aliens known as 'Tank Ultra,' 'Tank Master,' 'Grunt Master,' and 'Crawler Master' appear, along with 'Guardian Master' aliens that grant invincibility to others. This is why you must farm as efficiently as possible in the lower-tier zones.

At the end of each sector, there is always a 'super-high-risk entity' called a 'Sector Commander.' Their attacks are quite fierce and damaging, making focused firepower through cooperative play essential.

'Field Farming,' 'Blue Chip Skills,' and 'Super Management' are Key

So, what can players do to counter a 'Sector Commander'? First and foremost, you need to focus on 'field farming.' Be sure to thoroughly search for 'container boxes' in the field and collect 'dropped items' from defeated aliens to secure high-grade gear.

After that, you should invest points earned from completing missions and defeating aliens into 'Blue Chip Skills' and 'Super Management.' 'Blue Chip Skills' is a skill tree that aids in defense, survival, and offense. You can customize it to your preference and reset it if you are not satisfied. With abilities like 'Start the next session after death with a random weapon,' 'Start the game with a medical kit,' and '15% reduction in Super cooldown,' it is best to accumulate as many points as possible to unlock these advantages for combat.

There is also a 'special fire support' system called 'Super Management.' It is important to continuously invest points, known as fragments, to unlock and upgrade various 'Super' abilities. From the basic 'Turret' to the 'Damage Wave' that fires crystal spike pulses at short range for heavy damage, or the 'Flame Nexus' that scatters fire, these act as a 'joker' card that teammates can quickly deploy when outgunned.

Lighthearted Fun, but Limited by the Constraints of a Temporary Mode

After playing 'Xeno Point' for five hours, I felt it was definitely lighter than the traditional 'Battle Royale' and easy to enjoy with acquaintances. It was enough to feel the fun of strengthening characters and cooperating by complementing each other through individual 'Blue Chip Skill' trees and 'Super Management' choices.

'Light' did not mean 'unchallenging.' As mentioned earlier, at lower difficulties, anyone—regardless of their experience with the main game—can easily adapt by defeating aliens. As you move to higher-difficulty sectors, factors like how well you've built your skill tree and your level of teamwork become crucial.

The downside is that the limitations of a 'limited-time mode' are clearly felt. Since it is not a core mode included in a 'full-price game,' it is bound to suffer from the repetitive use of the Miramar map, a cyclical gameplay loop, and a lack of cinematic progression to keep players engaged.

In this regard, I wished for more interesting narratives, tense cutscenes showing the alien invasion, mechanics that vary the playstyle, or more enticing, challenging rewards. The lack of elements like rare rewards for defeating all Sector Commanders—which would have been a great way to drive player interest—remains a missed opportunity.

PUBG: Still Not Resting on Its 'Battle Royale' Laurels'

Setting aside the shortcomings, PUBG has announced that it will continue to introduce various gameplay content beyond 'Xeno Point.' In the upcoming month of May, they plan to release a collaboration with the Swedish developer 'Starbreeze' for PAYDAY. Given that PAYDAY is a game centered on bank heists, we can look forward to new gameplay styles not previously seen in PUBG, much like Xeno Point.

Through Xeno Point, PUBG is showing a move toward becoming a platform that offers diverse shooting experiences, breaking away from the 'Battle Royale' genre mold. It is also a solid PvE experience for users who are tired of the heavy 'Battle Royale' genre to return to, or for new users to try out.

PUBG Xeno Point is playable until 4:00 PM on May 6, so if you want to enjoy a free, casual round with friends, I recommend trying it before it ends.