Marathon is one of the most divisive games in a while. Discussions online are flooded with those claiming the game is terrible and dead on arrival, while those enjoying Bungie’s foray into the extraction shooter genre are drowned out, despite efforts to praise it. This is why we can’t have nice things, I guess.
I think Marathon is great. I’ve had a brilliant time with the Server Slam, despite playing entirely solo, and I’m enjoying the tense atmosphere it provides. It’s a welcome change from my 120+ hours in Arc Raiders, only much more difficult, and I think that’s why so many players are bouncing off it. Despite sharing the extraction shooter genre, they’re distinctly different experiences in-game.
Once you know your Rocketeer from your Hornet and the aggression-based matchmaking system places you exclusively in friendly lobbies, Arc Raiders is a walk in the park. Marathon, on the other hand, isn’t designed to offer pacifist runs. Sure, you might encounter the odd friendly player, but Marathon is not a casual game. It has much more in common with Escape From Tarkov, which can be brutal.
One reason for this is that the time-to-kill is so quick. You can equip shields of various rarities, but they’re little more than a minor aid. If another player sneaks up behind you, no matter what gear you’re rocking, chances are you’re not going to survive. It makes for a much slower-paced environment because if you sprint around the corner without first taking stock, listening out for footsteps or gunfire, and taking a mental note of where any enemies could come from, chances are you’ll be down and out before you know it. Players coming in from other, faster games, are having a tough time adapting.
Anyone coming over from Destiny 2 will find plenty to love though, because while that game has had its fair share of controversy, the shooting mechanics are sublime. Marathon is the same: smooth, crisp, and satisfying, especially when you get your hands on a sniper rifle. And while Marathon is a slower-paced game than Destiny 2, you can crank up the speed during combat as you dip and dive out of cover with ease.
Kotaku described playing Marathon from the start as jumping into Destiny 2 for the first time, except you’re immediately in an endgame raid, and that’s a perfect analogy. Bungie has always struggled to create an adequate tutorial and this is no different, not to mention the loud, colorful, blocky UI. It takes a while to get used to, but after eight hours of the Server Slam, I’m getting to grips with it.
So Marathon is essentially like Marmite, the pungent, umami-bomb food spread made from yeast that’s beloved by some and reviled by others. You’ll either love Marathon, because you’re addicted to the rush you get when one misstep could result in your death, losing everything you’ve brought in, but exfiltrating successfully is a huge endorphin hit. Or Marathon will turn you off immediately, because you prefer your extraction shooters to be a little more forgiving. Either one is okay, but if you feel like you’re hitting a wall with the unfamiliarity of it, give it some time. Marathon is unlike any game we’ve seen before, and should be treated as such.