Marathon review in progress – Minority Mindset

Arc Raiders aimed to be the breakout hit for extraction shooters, but Marathon feels like a refinement – a more demanding game that prioritizes player skill over easy accessibility. However, after playing a preview version called the Server Slam, it seems Marathon, like the character you play, isn’t quite hitting its mark.

The release of Marathon hasn’t gone as planned. After a disappointing first look, many dismissed the game before it even came out, which led Bungie to rework it before relaunching.

Arc Raiders launched and quickly became a huge hit last year, continuing to be popular into 2026. It successfully introduced the relatively uncommon ‘extraction shooter’ style of gameplay to a wide audience, making it well-known and enjoyed by many.

This could be great news for Bungie, as it opens up their game to a lot of players who really enjoy the extraction genre and are looking for a new experience. However, it also creates a challenge – players will immediately compare it to existing popular games in the genre. So, the big question is: does it measure up?

After playing the Server Slam for about twelve hours, I think Marathon is a game of ups and downs. It can be incredibly exciting, but also really frustrating at times.

Just a heads-up – I’m still playing through an early version of this game, so my thoughts aren’t final yet! I’ll be back with a complete review once the game officially comes out.

Marathon screenshots

Marathon player with knife

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What is Marathon?

Marathon is a fast-paced, first-person shooter where you play as a Runner. Runners have traded their bodies for cybernetic suits and take on missions for different groups to explore the wrecked colony of Tau Ceti IV. Their goals are to find important items and uncover the reasons behind the colony’s downfall.

Each time you play, your objective is straightforward: land on the planet, collect valuable items, and return to your ship safely. Anything you manage to bring back can be used on your next attempt, or traded with one of the six groups to unlock lasting improvements that will help you on future missions.

If you’re defeated by an enemy from the UESC or another player while collecting items, you’ll be returned to the starting area and lose everything you’ve gathered.

A stellar sci-fi shooter

As a huge fan of Bungie games, I wasn’t surprised that the shooting in Marathon is incredible. Each gun feels totally different and just feels good to use – whether I’m carefully lining up a long-distance shot with a sniper rifle or just going to town with an SMG on enemies up close.

If you’ve put a lot of time into playing Destiny, the gameplay will feel instantly comfortable, and that’s a positive! The combat is quick, accurate, and consistently enjoyable, even after many playthroughs.

The game features ‘Shells’ – essentially different bodies you transfer your character’s mind into – which add a lot of strategic options. They let you customize how you play beyond just choosing weapons. Each Shell has unique abilities; for example, the Destroyer comes with built-in shields and a rocket launcher, while the Triage can deploy drones to heal both you and your teammates.

You can further customize your character with Core, Head, Torso, and Leg Implants, which you find throughout the game. These implants give you benefits like less fall damage or faster recovery when downed. The game encourages experimentation, and because you can change your Shell at the start of each round, you’re not stuck with one particular build.

The game is visually striking and incredibly beautiful. Its vibrant cyberpunk style makes everything stand out, and the unique, imposing design of each map sets it apart from other games.

Marathon has great potential – the gameplay is fast-paced and the game world is beautiful. It could be a fantastic arena shooter or a compelling single-player experience. However, it doesn’t quite succeed as an extraction shooter right now.

Exploring maps is like running a Marathon

Marathon’s maps, while looking good, feel surprisingly empty. The two maps released so far, Perimeter and Dire Marsh, have large, vacant areas with only a few key locations, which tend to blend together after a while.

The game features a lot of empty travel time between similar-looking locations, with not much to see or do along the way except watch the timer on your next goal. The world itself doesn’t feel engaging or invite you to explore and learn more.

It’s true the colony is empty, but it feels awfully bleak. Let’s hope the next areas we discover are more enjoyable to explore.

Unforgiving fights are a shock to the system

I used to hope for intense battles to make the game more exciting, but Marathon is incredibly unforgiving. Whether you’re facing other players or computer-controlled enemies, you can be eliminated very quickly. A single mistake means you’ll be sent back to the starting area, and other players can easily take all your hard-earned items.

The constant risk of danger is what makes games like Marathon so engaging, but right now, it’s frustratingly difficult. You can be eliminated quickly, healing is slow, and running out of stamina leaves you vulnerable. Often, whoever shoots first wins, and you’ll frequently be caught off guard and defeated by an unseen enemy.

Adding to the challenge, enemies are very difficult to tell apart. The game’s AI characters all look similar, making it hard to know if you’re fighting a standard enemy, a tougher leader, or another player until it’s almost too late.

Sometimes, everything just falls into place. When you’re working well with your team, combining your skills, and successfully defeating another team before escaping with their rewards, it’s incredibly satisfying. It’s too bad these great moments don’t happen often enough, though.

Even if you manage to survive, you’ll encounter complicated and disorganized menus. Like many games of its type, you’ll spend a lot of time before each run sorting through items and preparing for the mission, but navigating the menus can be just as difficult as the gameplay itself.

Early verdict

It’s too soon to say for sure, but as things stand, Marathon appears to be a difficult and intense first-person shooter. Players who wanted a more demanding experience in Arc Raiders should find a lot to like.

The shooting mechanics are top-notch, and the game’s unique visual style helps it stand out, though the level design doesn’t always showcase that style effectively.

Despite aiming to be a thrilling extraction shooter where players constantly risk their collected items, the game isn’t quite hitting the mark. It’s missing that addictive quality – that feeling of wanting to play ‘just one more game’ – which is crucial for attracting and retaining a wider audience.

2026-03-03 14:20