As a Critic of Extraction Shooters, Here’s Why I’m Ready to Try Marathon

If you’ve been spending any time online recently, you might have noticed the buzz surrounding Bungie’s upcoming game, Marathon. Last week, fans worldwide got a sneak peek at some fresh gameplay footage, and I have to admit, it looks pretty impressive. It seems like we might be in for the kind of quality that has helped Bungie maintain its loyal fanbase over the years. While there are a few skeptics out there, and some valid concerns have been raised, after examining both perspectives, I remain optimistic about Marathon’s potential.

When the gameplay trailer first dropped, I was surprised at how excited I was. To be honest, I’ve never quite gelled with extraction shooters. I joined Escape from Tarkov a bit late and encountered some frustrating cheating issues. Any remaining time I spent in that game felt rather underwhelming. The Forever Winter almost caught my attention with its intriguing doomed sci-fi world, but the monotony of scavenging eventually wore me down. This seemed to be a recurring theme with such games, leaving me unconvinced about their appeal.

Yet somehow, Marathon has piqued my curiosity. Despite not being a hardcore Destiny fan—I’ve dabbled here and there for work, finding enjoyment in the occasional exotic quest—I haven’t devoted more than a month at a time to it, with long breaks in between. Nevertheless, I’ve always admired Bungie’s craftsmanship from afar. There’s something about their creative flair, not the kind that execs might expect to produce miracles on a limited budget, but the genuine magic stemming from the talented artists and combat designers they have on board.

The recent Marathon gameplay reveals exactly what I’d expect from Bungie: a visually captivating game with a distinct art style that goes beyond just impressive graphics. It stands out in an industry where everything seems to blend together, especially in genres crowded with established competitors. Marathon doesn’t just rely on sleek visuals; it boldly asserts a unique identity.

The weapons, settings, and characters all scream novelty, fusing a futuristic vibe with subtle retro tech influences. Yes, it’s set in a far-future space dystopia, but with a vibrant twist that sets it apart from the usual bleak environments other developers often create in similar genres.

Bungie’s artistic prowess, evident from their work on Destiny, shines through once again. They’ve proven time and again that when they explore new realms, they can deliver something truly extraordinary. From the glimpse we’ve gotten, that same sense of awe I felt when I first encountered The Hive is reignited.

As for the gameplay, it’s fast-paced and cooperative, with a first-person shooting experience that leverages the imaginative setting through inventive abilities and quirky, modern weaponry. The trailer proudly highlights Bungie’s reputation for delivering top-tier multiplayer action, and honestly, even though it sounds a bit self-aggrandizing for someone with my British sensibilities, it’s not without merit. Destiny has maintained an outstanding PvP experience for years, drawing players who enjoy its dynamic combat scene.

This established reputation can only benefit Marathon. The current landscape of extraction shooters is largely dominated by military simulations or games leaning heavily on realistic gun mechanics. Bungie, with its decades of sci-fi FPS experience, is poised to breathe new life into the genre, offering a game that’s not just fresh in appearance but also in feel. That might be the factor that keeps players hooked rather than reverting to older, more established titles.

In terms of quality, Marathon appears solid. Bungie has earned my faith in their ability to create an FPS that not only plays well but is also engaging in a futuristic setting. However, the potential price point could pose a significant barrier. The struggle for live service games to gain and maintain a dedicated player base has been evident over the years, as evidenced by numerous failed attempts.

This challenge is exacerbated by current economic concerns, with a potential recession, rising console and PC component costs, and more cautious consumer spending. It’s not easy convincing gamers to invest in a multiplayer-only title lacking any offline single-player content. Titanfall faced this hurdle, even though it was excellent enough to have set a new standard.

However, there’s hope. Bungie’s track record with Destiny 2 shows they can deliver compelling narratives through major updates. Hardcore players, while they might jump in for a big expansion and leave, understand the ongoing value Bungie provides with engaging gameplay modes and updates, even amidst setbacks like layoffs and scaled-back development.

If there’s one studio capable of crafting a live service extraction shooter that keeps players engaged and justifies its price, it’s Bungie. The task at hand for the Marathon team is to prove their mettle to the community continuously, and I sincerely hope they’re already planning post-launch content. If they deliver as promised and with the current allure of Marathon, my anticipation remains high. So, despite past challenges, I’m genuinely excited about where Marathon is headed.