Why I’m Willing to Try Marathon Despite My Aversion to Extraction Shooters

If you’ve been online recently, chances are you’ve come across chatter about Marathon, the much-anticipated new game from Bungie. Just last week, gamers worldwide indulged in a fresh batch of gameplay footage that has left quite an impression. From what I’ve seen, it seems to be shaping up nicely, promising a new level of the classic Bungie quality that keeps fans coming back for more. That said, there’s a bit of hesitation in the air. While skepticism isn’t entirely unwarranted, after considering both sides, I’m personally leaning towards optimism for Marathon.

I was genuinely surprised at my own excitement when watching the gameplay trailer. My experiences with extraction shooters have been less than stellar, to put it mildly. I was late to the Escape from Tarkov party, entering just as cheating issues hit their peak, which took away from the game’s appeal. Similarly, while The Forever Winter almost won me over with its bleak post-apocalyptic world, the allure quickly faded. This trend followed me across similar games, and I couldn’t quite latch onto the same hooks as other players. It just didn’t click.

Yet, Marathon has somehow managed to grab my attention, even though I wouldn’t consider myself a diehard Destiny fan. I’ve dabbled a bit for work, enjoyed the occasional exotic quest, but never sunk more than a month at a time into it, with long breaks in between. Still, I’ve always admired Bungie’s work from a distance. Perhaps it’s their creative magic, the kind that only their artists and combat designers can conjure, that might make Marathon a standout. Just to be clear, I’m not talking about the impossible expectations executives sometimes set for teams. I mean the undeniable talent that Bungie’s development team brings to the table.

The recent gameplay footage showcases exactly what you’d expect from a studio like Bungie. It’s visually captivating, not just because of fancy graphics, but thanks to a unique art direction. No current game out there feels quite like this, especially not with Bungie’s resources backing it. When you’re entering a genre filled with established giants, you need an offering that won’t simply blend in.

Take a look at the weapons, environments, and characters—they all scream originality, blending a futuristic vibe with subtle touches of retro tech. Set in a far-future space dystopia, the game contrasts its setting with eye-catching vibrance, steering clear of the dreary tone others might take in similar contexts. Bungie’s creative team has consistently proven, through Destiny, that when allowed to create in a new environment, they can achieve remarkable results. The glimpse we’ve had so far brings back the sense of adventure I felt when first encountering The Hive.

Action-wise, the game appears to offer tight, fast-paced, cooperative FPS gameplay, utilizing the setting to full effect with unique abilities and quirky weaponry. The trailer emphasizes Bungie’s commitment to top-tier multiplayer action. While this self-praise might not sit well with my reserved British temperament, it’s not entirely unearned. Destiny’s PvP elements have been stellar for years. Some players might bypass the raids and narrative, sticking to the Crucible, and who can blame them?

This background will only benefit Marathon. Current extraction shooters often lean towards military simulations with realistic gunplay. However, Bungie has years of sci-fi FPS experience, which they can tap into to ensure Marathon isn’t just visually fresh but feels fresh to play as well. I believe this uniqueness will keep players engaged rather than reverting to older, more familiar titles.

In terms of market dynamics, the biggest hurdle for Marathon might be its pricing. Let’s face it, live service games have struggled to build lasting followings, as seen in the numerous attempts that appeared and faded away. With economic uncertainties and rising costs for consoles and PC components, it’s a tough sell for a multiplayer-only game without offline single-player content. Even Titanfall, fantastic as it was, had its share of challenges.

But here’s the counterpoint. Bungie has shown proficiency in spinning engaging narratives through Destiny 2’s limited-time updates. Those who stick around after major expansions know the team can maintain intriguing narratives, not just for story buffs, but with new game modes frequently emerging from Bungie’s creative oven. This remains true even amidst staffing changes and cuts to Destiny 2’s scope.

So, among FPS developers, Bungie might just have what it takes to craft a compelling live service extraction shooter with updates deserving of buy-ins. The Marathon team needs to prove this to the gaming community and keep doing so consistently. If they’re already planning post-launch content, combined with how promising Marathon looks, I have to admit I’m excited for what’s to come, regardless of previous experiences.