Bungie’s Marathon Is A Polished Extraction Shooter, But That Might Not Be Enough

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I’ve been struggling to express my emotions about playing Marathon, and I find myself repeatedly thinking of Season 6, Episode 13 of The Simpsons, titled “And Maggie Makes Three.” In this episode, Homer learns he’s a father for the third time, and his response is a somber thumbs up that suggests both joy at something good happening but also the potential for stress, hardship, and perhaps disappointment. While it might seem unfair to compare playing an early version of a game made by the creators of Halo and Destiny to a meme used by millennials, I can’t help but notice the uncanny similarity between Homer’s reaction and what is conveyed in the “Homer’s Sad Thumbs Up” meme.

Following approximately eight hours of gameplay against developers, content creators, and journalists, I departed Bungie’s Bellevue studio eager for more of their intense PvPvE multiplayer experience. However, it was undeniable that I harbored significant doubts about the overall experience wrapped within its addictive gameplay structure. Simply put, I am concerned that Marathon might debut as a strong multiplayer shooter with great potential but lacking in content. In the ruthless realm of multiplayer games, this could pose a significant challenge.

Playing Marathon, even during its early development stage, was incredibly engaging, and this appeal quickly became evident. All it took was one round of running, shooting, gathering loot, and extracting to realize that the game’s core is built upon Bungie’s exceptional reputation as a leading first-person shooter developer. Fans of Halo or Destiny will recognize the enjoyable feel in the gameplay mechanics that make Bungie’s titles hard to walk away from. The satisfying impact of a melee kill or the joy of hitting an enemy with a plasma grenade are key elements that have sustained the popularity of Halo across generations. And, much like Destiny, Marathon offers deep progression based on loot collection, creating a strong pull that’s difficult to resist. Essentially, Marathon offers everything that makes Bungie’s games great but within the context of an extraction shooter. For those not familiar, this is a fresh take on multiplayer shooters where players drop into a map, gather resources, and then make it to an extraction point to escape with their loot in a single life – blending the excitement of player-versus-player (PvP) battles with the tension of battle royale.

For Bungie, many elements of this genre are already known grounds. However, what captivates the team is the thrilling risk-vs-reward gameplay style, which explores fresh territory for the studio and pays homage to their PvP heritage that cemented their reputation.

According to game director Joe Ziegler, the concept of an extraction shooter arises from two key aspects. Firstly, our team is eager to develop it, and secondly, we’re pondering over how to advance Bungie’s legacy while also revisiting its PvP roots, reminiscent of Halo and similar games.

In addition, we’re working on an innovative project, if you will. Our aim is to construct a service that combines elements of Player versus Player and Player versus Environment games. Similar to what Bungie does exceptionally well, we want to incorporate intriguing storytelling aspects into our game. However, the unique twist is that much of the content in this game would be shaped by players interacting with each other. This blend of features truly sparks our enthusiasm to offer such an immersive experience for players.

As a devoted fan, I’m eagerly anticipating what Marathon might bring for Bungie in the long run, but so far, its gameplay fits snugly within the genre, offering a blend of the familiar and innovative without leaning too heavily on past works. The PvP format follows the trend of contemporary extraction shooters or battle royale games, where teams of three are dropped into a map teeming with loot ripe for the taking. This loot ranges from crafting materials, weapons of varying rarities, and quest-related items. Matches can last anywhere from a quick minute to a more drawn-out 20 minutes, depending on your luck or skill level. Space in your backpack is limited, so you’ll need to make tough choices between keeping valuable items for later or immediate necessities for your current objectives. Overloading on weapons, ammo, and storage vault items might ease future challenges, but if you neglect health and shield recovery items and find yourself ambushed, all those resources could end up being lost.

The core gameplay, reminiscent of Halo and Destiny, forms the foundation of this game. Characters known as Runners offer diverse playstyles and team roles, much like Guardians in Destiny or Legends in Apex. Their abilities share similarities with skills and Supers, but they focus more on functionality than on immersive power experiences. The game, Marathon, has a more realistic feel and moves at a slower pace compared to its counterparts, highlighting the strategic flow that encourages skirmishes. Movement is regulated by a stamina meter, filling as you sprint or slide, making it more controlled. If you’re anticipating the free-flowing jumps or exaggerated abilities typical of Destiny, you might be disappointed, as Marathon offers a more restrained experience.

In most extract-based shooter games, deliberate, rooted gameplay is essential for building tension. This is true for Marathon as well, serving its purpose effectively. Bungie aims to emphasize this by crafting a gameplay experience that sets it apart from their previous works and generates unique storytelling moments.

According to gameplay director Andrew Witts, Bungie is recognized for its highly interactive gameplay style. He described the essence of fun in their games as a 30-second thrill that has been consistently present in Halo and evolved into the ability to create your own superhero character in Destiny. Moving forward, they aim to delve deeper into tactical action, an area Bungie hasn’t previously explored. This shift involves adding some obstacles, but in a positive way that encourages players to focus intently and feel the tension. In contrast to past games where tension was generated by facing enormous odds, this new approach introduces uncertainty as players grapple with not having complete information about their surroundings.

Ziegler commented: “The significance of games lies largely in the pressure of the situation. We believe that games become truly impactful, gameplay moments become significant, and stories become profound when they offer a level of agency. You make numerous choices, and the outcome is substantial. The loops we’re trying to establish emphasize this concept of storytelling. For instance, when you enter the game, it feels like your own narrative unfolding – ‘This is my journey. This is what transpired to me, and it’s exciting because I overcame adversity. I accomplished something extraordinary, and I received a unique tale as a result, one that no one else could claim by surviving that session or by persevering through the challenges of the session.’ For us, this means being mindful at times to ensure that the decisions players make have clear, tangible results, such as ‘I was defeated by AI because I made a mistake.’

As a gamer, I can vouch for the balanced design of the Runners in this game. Although they come equipped with advanced cybernetic tech, their abilities are carefully controlled to offer a strategic edge rather than allowing me to obliterate enemies without effort. For instance, Locus, my go-to character, is essentially the standard soldier class. He can launch shoulder-mounted missiles that lock onto enemies, immobilizing and damaging them. Additionally, he has an energy shield to ward off damage, but it drains rapidly when under attack. His mobility is enhanced with a short dash using boosters, and he can sprint faster, albeit at the cost of additional heat buildup. Locus may be predictable in playstyle, but even the alternative Runners don’t bring much unpredictability to the table.

During my gaming experience, I found myself craving more captivating skills. I don’t necessarily need to leap into the heavens and rain down rockets or summon a sidekick named Bob to mete out some justice with a single button press in Marathon, but everything I performed felt surprisingly ordinarymore akin to the character kit from Apex Legends, which has become quite commonplace. However, the advantage of having Runners with relatively straightforward abilities is that the learning curve is gentle, and it’s easy to comprehend both my own capabilities and those of my opponents. This aspect, in turn, makes the game incredibly accessible compared to its contemporaries, particularly considering how daunting other multiplayer games can become after years of operation. For me, accessibility is a defining characteristic of Bungie’s games, whether it’s Halo or Destiny. The entry level for gameplay in these titles is low, and this seems to apply to Marathon as well, standing out against the intricate and finicky nature of most other extraction shooters.

Zeigler expressed that if you’re passionate about player-versus-player (PvP) interactions and enjoy a sandbox-style gameplay, this could be an inviting entry point to the extractive shooter genre. However, it can also be more demanding, but whether it’s more intense depends on the perspective of Bungie’s audience.

Our goal is to broaden our audience towards individuals seeking immersive, survival-oriented activities. However, we aim to simplify the process without sacrificing the essence of these intense experiences. Our focus is on making these adventures accessible, not by diluting the core experience, but by streamlining the presentation and minimizing initial barriers to access the deeper survival challenges.

In simpler terms, Witts explained that making a game easy to understand and learn involves incorporating elements that players are already familiar with. This sense of familiarity serves as a foundation for learning, rather than overwhelming them with complex mechanics from the start. Bungie is striving to create a game that feels recognizable and offers an approach where players can say, “I know what Bungie games are about, but this one has unique aspects that require me to adapt in certain ways. I need to be patient, take my time, and not rush through everything.

Indeed, during this initial phase, it’s functioning quite well. Marathon, in its alpha stage, is a straightforward shooter that’s easy to grasp and dive into. It’s enjoyable to play and seems professionally crafted, unlike some games that are more like Frankensteins, held together by whatever coding equivalent of duct tape might be.

I have faith that Bungie will successfully bring their concepts to fruition and achieve their aspirations, even if it takes multiple forms. Although Destiny had a bumpy beginning, it improved significantly due to the dedicated efforts invested to expand upon its initial foundation.

In a brilliant design, each map in Marathon features artificial intelligence-controlled robots that can be eliminated as you progress through levels, and sometimes encounter human opponents. This setup allows players who may not excel at player versus player interactions to engage in point-and-shoot activities which are enjoyable and rewarding, offering experience points and boosting their confidence. Other games have similar non-player characters, but Marathon’s stand out due to the complexity of their behavior. Bungie is renowned for creating formidable enemies, and these AI opponents in Marathon act intelligently by approaching you, taking cover, moving strategically, and even utilizing higher ground for an advantage. Tougher foes like the Commanders can be lethal if underestimated, so I won’t hesitate to admit that they gave me a tough time and wiped my team on several occasions during gameplay. For seasoned players, the distinction between AI and human enemies is clear, but for many, it won’t make much difference since the AI offers enough challenge to make each kill feel like an accomplishment. The intelligent behavior of Marathon’s AI enemies and their role in boosting player confidence and momentum are truly one of the game’s most impressive aspects.

Marathon’s stunning appearance is largely due to its captivating design style. To put it simply, it has a futuristic, tech-oriented vibe with robotically-inspired humanoid characters that also seem like part-time fashion designers. However, what sets it apart is the unity and coherence of its design, which is unlike anything else. Bungie often used terms like “cyber simplicity” and “future less” to describe their vision, as these phrases capture an aesthetic that is intentionally contrasting. In essence, Marathon is a vivid game that emphasizes simplicity as its guiding principle and uses graphic design as the foundation for its visual communication. It’s visually complex yet digestible; they call it high-fidelity, low-poly industrial design. The Runners, on the other hand, have distinctive details and flair that give them character, drawing inspiration from sports fashion. Bungie’s description of them is quite fitting: a blend of Nike and Teenage Engineering. Using more straightforward language, I would say it resembles what you might get if Metal Gear, Armored Core, and WipeOut had a child. As for how three entities could produce one offspring – well, it’s the future; figure something out!

Without a doubt, every fresh screen offers an eye-catching array of stylish icons and objects that resemble 3D prints. Moreover, Perimeter, one of the two maps we explored, exudes a neon-infused industrial ambiance reminiscent of Mirror’s Edge, boasting an appealing visual appeal. However, when we transitioned to Dire Marsh, with its occasional thick fog that rolled in, it became slightly inconvenient. Primarily because the stunning visuals were being concealed, but also due to cunning players employing the fog as a cover for surprise attacks leading to swift eliminations.

In essence, while Marathon initially appears captivating, its ordinary aspects become equally significant. Despite the remarkable gameplay, it lacks a unique selling point to set it apart in the competitive realm of multiplayer games. It’s not entirely devoid of charm, but something crucial seems missing, making it feel incomplete compared to other popular titles like Overwatch, Apex Legends, Warframe, etc. These games have established themselves with substantial player investment, so it would take a remarkable feature for Marathon to compete for the same time and attention. At this moment, I’m not convinced that Marathon offers that special something.

Instead of having ambition, it exhibits an ambitious nature. As Ziegler stated earlier, Marathon is being constructed as a service that combines elements of PvP and PvE games for engaging storytelling similar to Bungie’s style. However, during my playthrough, none of this was apparent, and essential aspects highlighted as crucial to Marathon’s appeal, longevity, and unique selling points were not demonstrated directly. Essentially, there was a lot of discussion with minimal demonstration.

In the year 2893, a marathon unfolds on Tau Ceti IV, a planet where a mysterious message from its colony stirs up chaos. The Unified Earth Space Council is keeping quiet about what befell the colony, but events have led to individuals known as Runners, who transfer their consciousness into external shells, to plunder the planet’s resources. As players, we will uncover secrets of the universe and the fate of Tau Ceti IV, which Bungie has shared with us, not through in-game hints. Instead, the narrative is presented through a Faction system, where we can accept contracts from six competing groups, each striving for power, control, or resources, although their exact motives are unclear. This system appears to serve as a progression mechanic, offering us tasks during a run, which if completed successfully, earns favor with the faction, raising our rank and eventually granting upgrades that slightly enhance abilities like decoding items from loot boxes and death boxes. Although each faction has a brief backstory, there’s limited opportunity to delve deeper. As a preview of a metagame influencing character development, it seems somewhat disconnected from the character I’m creating and the world I’m in.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve noticed that, according to Bungie, each faction has its unique narrative mystery, but at this point, these mysteries haven’t been fully unraveled yet. Completing objectives is the primary way to interact with the factions, and it seems like one can work for multiple factions without any repercussions. However, I sense that there are deeper stories waiting to be discovered in future games, and as a player, I’ll have a role in shaping these events. Though the details remain unclear, I suspect it involves acquiring special items.

Zeigler explained that later contracts include a feature where Voice Over (VO) interacts with you in real-time, making the experience more immersive. Additionally, these contracts come with slightly complex conditions as you progress. As you proceed, missions become tougher and the storyline feels more tangible. There are other aspects planned for release as well.

We’re developing a platform where you gather items, and upon completion of a set, you receive a piece of background information or a hint relevant to the current season. This will help you comprehend things better as you progress.

We aimed to integrate storytelling in such a way that it enhances the player’s personal journey instead of overshadowing it. This isn’t about the narrative taking center stage, but about how it harmonizes with the tales players are already weaving. There’s an element, which we previously termed a ‘digital detective strategy,’ that emphasizes exploration and discovery in the game world. The loot you uncover should aid in crafting your unique story, while we strive to set up the environment for you to narrate your survival experiences from each session, rather than everyone playing through a predefined campaign.

As a gamer, I’m always excited about the built-in feature in our game’s season model. It’s designed so that as we embark on these thrilling adventures, there are rewards and achievements that get recorded at my account level. These can be unlocked by me pulling off some wild stunts with friends or other such challenges, which could range from cosmetic items to perks that stick with my account for the long haul.

Each season presents an opportunity for exploration, remembrance, and personal expression. By capturing and preserving these experiences, you can draw upon them as unique elements in your own narrative when a fresh season begins, offering another chance for a brand-new adventure. A key responsibility lies with us in designing the service, ensuring that every adventure within each season is distinct and feels novel, thereby fostering new tales.

As a seasoned item-describer, this intrigues me, but with the caveat that “potentially” suggests uncertainty. It brings back memories of Destiny’s initial launch, where the storyline was sparse and supplemented by Grimoire Cards located outside the game. Given that I didn’t detect any compelling narrative elements in my encounter with Marathon, it’s challenging to share the same enthusiasm for a key aspect of what makes Bungie’s games appealing to me.

As a gamer, I’m venturing into some bold moves, shaping up the mid-to-end game scenario. Already, my mind is wandering beyond the game world, pondering the real-world implications. What kind of repercussions might these have? How can these events influence the choices my character makes within the mercenary fantasy setting? Will I be a fleeting presence or will I strive for something more significant, like targeting a specific adversary? These factors contribute to a richer gaming experience and greater freedom in decision-making.

The significant point is that Marathon is set to debut as a high-end item, implying that players must shell out the full amount initially. From my play and what I’ve been informed, it will come equipped with a battle pass, three maps (with an additional one coming shortly post-launch); it promises enjoyable yet straightforward gameplay; a storyline that is currently rather enigmatic in its essence and execution; and a character advancement system that, at this stage, doesn’t seem to provide a substantial feeling of development. It could be that the progression system is being kept under wraps for launch, but for some reason, it wasn’t demonstrated.

It’s important to mention that this is an early version (you’ll get to test it soon as well), which means changes could still be made before its official launch. However, Bungie has hinted that the aspects surrounding Marathon’s main gameplay are not yet fully formed or won’t be finalized until later stages, and may even change. In our conversations, there seemed to be a general openness to ideas and direction with only vague commitments. The project has undergone significant transformations during its development, as Bungie themselves acknowledge, but the lack of clarity about Marathon’s vision left me feeling that there’s a lot left to accomplish and little time to do so before its planned September release. I may not fully understand game development, but it appears that there’s a considerable amount of work ahead with a tight deadline.

Regardless of the initial hiccups, I have faith that Bungie will successfully materialize their concepts and fulfill their vision for the Destiny franchise in some shape or form. After all, Destiny’s rocky beginning was eventually transformed into a much more polished experience due to the team’s diligent efforts to develop upon its foundation. Similarly, Destiny 2 experienced its fair share of highs and lows, but it also delivered unforgettable characters, narratives, and moments that left a lasting impact. The gameplay for both titles has consistently evolved over time, resulting in more sophisticated and immersive experiences. Given Bungie’s consistent commitment to their games, I am eagerly anticipating the potential directions Marathon could take us.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that there are numerous abandoned games-as-a-service projects which couldn’t hold the interest of their initial audience. Regrettably, even some big-budget titles from renowned teams have ended up in this graveyard. The gaming world has certain expectations when it comes to similar titles, and if a game doesn’t meet those expectations, it may struggle to become part of players’ lives. In the sea of free-to-play games, a full-priced game that is light on content but heavy on promises might not instill the same faith in others that I have in Bungie.

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2025-04-12 21:42