If you’ve been online recently, there’s no avoiding the buzz about Bungie’s upcoming release, Marathon. Last week, we got to dive into the newly released gameplay footage, and let me tell you, it’s looking impressive. It seems Bungie is poised to deliver another dose of the quality that’s hooked fans over the years. Of course, not everyone’s convinced. There are some valid doubts out there, but after looking at all the angles, I’m still leaning towards optimism about Marathon.
I found myself surprisingly pumped by the gameplay trailer. Truth be told, I’ve always had a hard time getting into extraction shooters. My late arrival to Escape from Tarkov wasn’t ideal; I joined when cheating was rampant, and the game just didn’t click with me. I nearly got hooked on The Forever Winter—it had me fascinated initially with its stark, robot-ravaged world—but the novelty wore off, and I tired of the constant scavenging. This cycle happened repeatedly, and each time, I felt like the magic just wasn’t there for me. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be.
But something about Marathon has grabbed my attention. Now, I’m not a hardcore Destiny fanatic. I’ve dabbled in it here and there for work, and an occasional exotic quest has piqued my interest, but I’ve never been fully committed. Despite this, I’ve always appreciated Bungie’s work from afar, and perhaps it’s that special touch they’re known for that’s making a difference here. To be clear, I’m not talking about the mythical “magic” executives believe their teams possess to churn out games under tight budgets. I’m referring to the undeniable talent of their artists, combat designers, and the myriad others involved.
The recent gameplay from Marathon showcases exactly what you’d expect from Bungie: a game that’s visually stunning, and not just because of impressive raytracing effects. It has a unique artistic direction that sets it apart. There’s really no other game right now emanating the same vibe, especially not one with Bungie’s level of investment backing it. When you’re venturing into a new genre and aiming to stand out among established giants, you must offer something unique that won’t fade into a crowded market.
Just look at the weapons, the environments, the characters—they all scream, “I’m something new.” The game merges a futuristic styling with retro tech accents. It’s a future space dystopia, sure, but with an unexpected vibrancy that brightens the often somber nature of similar settings developed by other studios.
The artistry at Bungie, demonstrated through the Destiny series, proves that when allowed to explore a new universe, the team produces incredible work. From the brief peek we got, I’m feeling that old adventurous spirit rekindled, similar to when I first encountered The Hive.
And the action! It’s tight, fast, cooperative first-person shooting at its core, cleverly incorporating the setting with intriguing abilities and interesting weapon variations. The trailer emphasizes Bungie’s promise of delivering premier multiplayer FPS action, and while it might come across as a little self-congratulatory for my British taste, they’re not wrong to be proud. Destiny’s PvP has been a fan favorite for years. While some players skip the narrative and raids, choosing instead to focus on the Crucible, who can say they’re in the wrong?
This bodes well for Marathon. The current extraction shooters largely fall into the category of military simulations or at least aim for realistic gunplay. Bungie, however, has the bonus of years of experience in the sci-fi FPS realm, ensuring Marathon doesn’t just look innovative but also feels refreshing. That, I believe, is the hook that will keep players coming back instead of reverting to the genre’s old-guard titles.
I genuinely think Marathon looks strong, and Bungie has earned considerable trust for creating engaging FPS games, especially within a futuristic setting. My concern lies in the game’s pricing. Let’s face it—live service games often struggle to establish a loyal player base. This has been an enduring challenge, evidenced by numerous failed attempts in the genre.
The economic climate isn’t helping, with a potential recession, rising costs of consoles and PC components, and everyone keeping an eye on their wallets. Selling a multiplayer-only game, devoid of offline content, is a tough pitch. Even Titanfall, which arguably should’ve been a generational milestone, struggled.
Here’s the silver lining. Bungie has honed its ability to weave captivating narratives through limited-time updates within Destiny 2. While many jump in for a major expansion, tackle a raid or two, and leave, those who stay know the team excels at sustaining engaging storylines. This isn’t just for lore enthusiasts; new and exciting game modes drop from Bungie’s pipeline frequently, despite rounds of layoffs and a decreased scope for Destiny 2.
So, if there’s a developer capable of launching a successful live service, extraction shooter with compelling, ongoing updates, it’s Bungie. However, the Marathon team needs to prove it, consistently and over time. Hopefully, they’re gearing up post-launch strategies right now. If they can mirror how promising Marathon looks with equally impressive execution, then, yes, I’m officially excited for its arrival—despite any reservations my past experiences might suggest.
