Contrasting Experiences in Extraction Shooters
In a recent session of Arc Raiders, I found myself joyfully sharing the spoils of a vanquished Rocketeer with fellow players who had joined forces to achieve victory. As the final moments of Marathon‘s Server Slam approached, I shifted gears, stalking enemy teams and launching surprise attacks, eagerly collecting loot from their fallen comrades.
Both of these extraction shooters offer unique opportunities for collaboration. With features like proximity chat, shared objectives, and formidable foes to conquer together, players are often faced with the choice of whether to engage in combat or pass by with a friendly gesture. Each game boasts an extensive arsenal of weapons and tools designed for player-versus-player encounters. While Embark Studios and Bungie present distinct artistic visions, both titles encapsulate a gritty survival theme set against challenging backdrops, where the thrill of uncovering lost secrets is ever-present. Although the risk of losing hard-earned loot looms large, both games provide players with safety nets, allowing them to regain their footing should their resources dwindle.
Yet, I find myself drawn to two contrasting personas within Arc Raiders and Marathon. In Embark’s world, I relish the emergent moments, the camaraderie among less aggressive players, and the straightforward path to completing quests. Despite the occasional adrenaline-pumping encounters—be it from fierce Arc enemies or the presence of a bloodthirsty player—the overall atmosphere is more relaxed, and I cherish that experience.
In stark contrast, Marathon ignites a more primal instinct within me. When I encounter other players, my instinct is not to wave but to fire. If another squad approaches a public event expecting to share in the bounty, they quickly learn that the loot is reserved for my squad alone. My pre-run loadout optimization focuses on maximizing my PvP effectiveness, ensuring that I am equipped with the best attachments, cores, and implants available.
I’ve pondered the reasons behind this shift in mentality when transitioning to Marathon. While we anticipated a more intense, competitive atmosphere from Bungie compared to the cooperative nature of Arc Raiders, both games offer ample opportunity for aggression. The key, I believe, lies in perspective—not in a vague philosophical sense, but in the tangible experience of gameplay. The first-person viewpoint in Marathon naturally aligns players with the competitive mindset prevalent in many FPS titles, such as Apex Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, Halo, and Overwatch. This perspective emphasizes precision and a relentless pursuit of victory, placing the gun directly in the player’s line of sight.
Conversely, I suspect that Arc Raiders would not have evolved into the approachable, social, and cooperative experience it is today had it adopted a first-person perspective like Marathon. The third-person viewpoint serves as a constant reminder of one’s role in the game world and the impact of one’s actions. Players see their characters physically interact, such as waving to others, which fosters a sense of community and engagement in emergent moments. While not every third-person shooter will inherently become a softer, more social experience, the similarities between Marathon and Arc Raiders make this distinction particularly noteworthy. Perhaps, it’s also worth considering that one game features a literal chicken as a vendor, while the other does not.
Ultimately, I appreciate the distinct experiences that these two extraction shooters offer. When the intensity and PvP confrontations of Marathon become overwhelming, or if the lighthearted scavenging for rubber ducks in Arc Raiders begins to lose its charm, I know exactly where to turn for a refreshing change of pace.
