The Final 'Marathon' Closed Alpha Review: How Did It Go?

Bungie's Marathon: A Closed Alpha Review and Concerns

Bungie's foray into the extraction shooter genre with Marathon has yielded mixed results, based on the recent Closed Alpha. This review examines both the game's mechanics and the community's reaction, keeping in mind the Alpha's unfinished state.

Gameplay Impressions

The core gunplay, while competent, doesn't stand out amongst Bungie's previous shooter titles. The initial implementation of aim assist on PC caused controversy, leading to its complete removal mid-Alpha, highlighting the need for further refinement.

The 3v3 combat, reminiscent of Apex Legends but with less mobility, presents a challenge. The "hero" system, featuring unique abilities with long cooldowns, clashes with the genre's established pacing. The "heat" stamina mechanic further restricts the action, preventing the fluid combat Bungie is known for. A customizable character system might have been a more engaging approach.

The AI bots, however, provide satisfying combat encounters outside of team fights and add an interesting dynamic during them. This suggests potential for future expansion, even hinting at a missed opportunity for a more significant PvE element.

The game heavily favors team play, leaving solo players at a significant disadvantage. The lack of meaningful support for solo players, coupled with the potential for uncooperative teammates in random matches, significantly impacts the solo experience. This makes the game feel fundamentally unenjoyable unless played with a consistent team.

Visually, the game shows its unfinished state. While interiors impress, exteriors and player models require substantial improvement. Despite this, the overall aesthetic remains promising.

The core loop of losing farmed loot after each match, alongside an end-of-season wipe, is a significant deterrent for many, especially those new to the genre. While inherent to the genre, this aspect needs careful consideration. The disparity between players with high-tier loot and those with basic equipment further exacerbates this issue.

Missing Content and Future Plans

The Alpha lacked considerable content, including a significant portion of the planned gear, factions, heroes, and maps. The promise of a challenging endgame map and hidden secrets suggests substantial future development.

Community Reception

The Closed Alpha's reception was largely negative, despite some positive feedback. The limited access, with hundreds of thousands vying for codes, generated considerable frustration. The game's player count rapidly declined throughout the Alpha, even with additional code releases. Twitch viewership also plummeted, indicating a lack of sustained interest.

The core issue seems to be a failure to satisfy both hardcore extraction players and casual newcomers. Hardcore players found the game too simplistic, while casual players were turned off by the genre's inherent challenges. The imbalance between geared and under-equipped players further contributed to this. The concurrent release of ARC Raiders, a more traditional and polished extraction shooter, further highlighted Marathon's shortcomings.

Conclusion

Marathon demonstrates potential, but its current state raises significant concerns. The negative reception to the Alpha, coupled with its design choices, suggests a need for reevaluation. The planned September release seems premature, given the identified issues. A delay might allow Bungie to address these concerns and deliver a more compelling and polished experience. The high price point of $40 also adds to the apprehension surrounding the game's launch. While the Open Beta will provide a clearer picture, the current trajectory is worrying.

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