Developer: Bungie
Platforms: PC, PS5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Action
Publisher: Bungie
Marathon is the latest in the line of the extraction shooter genre, which has seen some great games released over the last few years. Marathon is the latest contender looking to get a foothold here. Bungie, who are known for their awesome shooters, are the masterminds of Marathon, and even from the trailer I saw last year, I was intrigued and was looking forward to this.
Marathon places you firmly in the first-person shooter world that Bungie is so well known for. This has a slight twist from their other games, as it is an extraction looter shooter. I have to say I loved Helldivers as an extraction looter shooter, and it is probably my yardstick for this kind of game. As this is a Bungie game, the core elements of a fantastic shooter are there. The game mechanics and controls are superb, the shooting mechanics and aim are spot on, and you really feel fully in control of your equipped gun, whether you free spray or aim down the sight. The gunplay is the core element for me and is satisfying. An array of different weapons are available, including grenades and shields. You navigate these futuristic sci-fi planets, undertaking a host of missions. The levels are stunning and extremely detailed.
The game loop is to survive a run, complete contracts, and leave with as much loot as you can, whilst bringing the optimal number of powerups, heals, weapons, and buffs with you. If you die, you lose the loot and inventory you brought with you. The crux for players is whether they get sucked into the gameplay loop or not. If you do, you will be addicted and will want to keep coming back. If extraction shooters aren’t your thing, I don’t think this will change your mind or is groundbreaking enough. I found it repetitive at times. I found elements of the loadout screen clunky, too. It’s hard to get an extraction game not to feel repetitive at times, as you need to level, and this takes time, and you end up replaying missions.
Squad play is also where the game excels, and you and your squad communicate and work effectively as a team to achieve contracts, gather loot and extract. This is where extraction games can either be brilliant or hellish, depending on who you end up with. A great team can lead a thoroughly exciting run, whereas a trolling team is just annoying and frustrating. With any extractor shooter, results may vary. Single players will deploy as Rook, who is considered, I suppose, a scavenger class, and the game is very different in this mode, but it’s lots of fun.
Runner shells are various classes that the player can play as, each with their distinct abilities for your game play style. Tanky, stealth, assassin, vandal and thief are amongst the classes available to you and your enjoyment. This range of classes will give players many ways to tweak and find the right player for them.
Online and network play are solid. Once I could get games, there was little to no lag, and the network and game were solid throughout. Mic chat was awesome, and as I said previously, really needed for the squad game. I did find the load time in the game slow and laggy at times compared to the last few AAA games I played on the PS5.
Marathon does so much well, the game, gameplay, visuals, lighting, environments and sound are all superb, I can’t really fault any of the look, feel and graphics. The game is really polished in that aspect. The main game loop and extraction element will vary for players and may become repetitive. I think this is where the game will not strike a chord with everyone. I also found some of the UI to be overcrowded and just hard to navigate, which made every loadout a bit of a chore at times. If you love solid extraction looter shooters, this will be another fantastic addition to your collection.
Overall: 8/10
Enjoys more than the odd game, long time gamer, somewhat a technologist and everything else in between.
Also enjoys a good solid game of FIFA online. Currently PS4, XBOX 360 and STEAM.
