Three bags of loot sit triumphantly, accompanied by the bio-synthetic remains of their former owners, pools of blue blood marking the ground. This is the aftermath of my ruthless victory. Their weapons, implants, heals, and salvage are now mine. Just weeks ago, I was collaborating with random solo players to take down colossal robots and sharing spoils in Arc Raiders. Now, in the world of Marathon, I’ve shed my goodwill and friendliness, embracing a more competitive spirit. The intensity of the atmosphere, the exhilarating gunplay, and the expansive combat sandbox have made it nearly impossible for me to resist engaging every other Runner I encounter.
It’s not that I intend to disparage Embark’s interpretation of the extraction shooter; rather, Marathon has pulled me from the cozy camaraderie of Arc Raiders and transformed me into a callous competitor, and I find myself thoroughly enjoying this shift. However, the initial hours in Marathon can feel like a chaotic sensory overload, both a blessing and a curse. The striking user interface, the blaring klaxons as faction leaders hack into my AI companion, and the vibrant aesthetics of the Runners and maps create an invigorating experience. Marathon quickly establishes its unique identity, distinguishing itself from other multiplayer FPS games.
Yet, this bespoke identity can also hinder the experience in certain aspects. Transitioning items from the vault to my loadout and equipping weapon attachments can be clunky and confusing. Some of this stems from less-than-ideal user experience choices, while some issues arise from the visual style Bungie has chosen to implement. For instance, selecting cores and implants for my Runner can be frustrating due to their indistinguishable designs in menus, leading to wasted time as I hover over each one to decipher their descriptions before integrating them into my build.
Map Design and Combat Dynamics
While I appreciate all three of Marathon‘s launch maps (with the brutal endgame map, Cryo Archive, set to release soon), I do have some concerns regarding their layouts. The open, exterior areas of Perimeter and Dire Marsh are marked by deliberate walls, cliffs, and anomalous energy fields that obstruct direct movement. While some structure is essential for map design, these barriers can feel overly conspicuous and unappealing. In contrast, the points of interest (POIs) within the maps are engaging, featuring a mix of tight spaces, long sight lines, verticality, and plenty of cover, making them ideal for combat scenarios.
When conflict arises—whether against UESC troops or fellow players—Marathon consistently delivers. Given Bungie’s legacy with Destiny, the gunplay is nothing short of exquisite. Regardless of the weapon style, ammo type, or attachments, I have yet to encounter a weapon that feels underwhelming or ineffective. While an emerging meta is taking shape, the gameplay remains balanced, with few instances of feeling overwhelmed by powerful weaponry. It’s refreshing to see that the hero shooter elements do not overshadow the gunplay, allowing for strategic engagements that can lead to satisfying outplays.
The PvE enemies are not mere filler; they present a legitimate challenge. Each UESC variant poses a threat, from Grenadiers launching fast-detonating explosives to Ghosts ambushing with their invisibility. Even a few rank-and-file grunts can become a problem in chaotic situations. While I find the Arc robots from Arc Raiders visually more appealing and often more engaging to defeat, Bungie has still crafted a commendable roster of PvE foes.
In PvP encounters, the time-to-kill is quicker than anticipated. Players rarely sport bulky, top-tier shields, allowing for rapid eliminations with the right combination of precision and firepower. While I’m satisfied with the current balance, any further reduction in TTK could risk tipping the scales into unbalanced territory.
Environmental dangers, such as deadly lightning strikes and aggressive alien bugs, heighten the stakes during runs. In one particularly embarrassing moment, I was downed by the thrusters of a supply drop ship while rushing to claim loot crates—an unfortunate reminder to stay vigilant.
The constant threats and intense combat have captivated my attention, transforming me from a cheerful Arc Raiders player into a more ruthless, calculated competitor. However, these thrilling moments are often interrupted by faction quests necessary for unlocking upgrades, earning rewards, and expanding vendor offerings. Unfortunately, many of these quests rely heavily on fetch or upload tasks, requiring players to traverse various POIs to locate specific items or terminals.
Many quests are multi-step and lack variety, sometimes demanding visits to multiple POIs across the map before successfully extracting. Spending 20 minutes on these monotonous tasks only to perish en route to extraction can be incredibly frustrating. A few quests for the MIDA and Arachne factions introduce some excitement, demanding players to smash windows or execute finishers on other Runners, but the majority involve sprinting from one POI to another.
This reliance on repetitive quests is disappointing, especially considering the high quality of the faction cutscenes and lore snippets tied to them. Bungie has crafted some of the most captivating characters and themes in recent gaming history, complemented by superb voice acting from a talented cast. The narrative elements are so compelling that they provide motivation to complete quests, despite their otherwise tedious nature.
Given my initial skepticism about Marathon, I am pleasantly surprised by how deeply it has engaged me. As a veteran of competitive FPS games, the intensity and difficulty do not deter me; however, Bungie’s approach, coupled with the aforementioned early-game issues, may alienate those seeking a more casual experience. While emergent cooperative moments can occur, they are infrequent. More often, the highs of Marathon arise amidst loot boxes, blue blood, and fallen foes rather than through camaraderie.
With some improvements to the user interface and user experience, along with more diverse quests, Marathon could solidify its place in my long-term shooter rotation. The game’s future also hinges on the endgame maps like Cryo Archive—if Bungie can infuse them with the mystery, challenge, and memorable moments akin to Destiny raids, it will significantly enhance the game’s longevity.
