Bungie’s Marathon Could Succeed Where Arc Raiders Failed

by

Since Arc Raiders came out, it’s been the only multiplayer game I’ve really wanted to play. It creates a level of suspense I haven’t found anywhere else, largely due to its immersive sound design, the ever-present robot threat, and the constant question of who you can trust. That feeling of quiet dread, the thrill of escaping, and the frustration of failing are exactly what make extraction shooters so compelling, and for a while, Arc Raiders nailed that experience better than most. The gameplay is tight, the world looks fantastic, and it’s completely captivated me and many others. However, there’s one aspect of the game that falls short of expectations.

Embark Studios built a really impressive world for Arc Raiders, but the story hasn’t lived up to its potential. The missions are fairly uninspired, and while there are a few cutscenes, they don’t do the world justice. Even though the gameplay is fun, I’m hoping for a more compelling reason to get invested and keep playing. That’s where Bungie’s Marathon could help, as Bungie is known for crafting captivating worlds.

Arc Raiders and the Cost of a Thin Story

Arc Raiders has been very popular, but its story is a weak point. The game hints at a bigger conflict, but doesn’t fully develop it, making the missions feel like simple tasks instead of parts of a grand narrative. You essentially deploy, complete an objective, and then repeat the process. While this gameplay loop isn’t bad on its own, it eventually becomes repetitive and lacks depth. The ‘Expeditions’ unfortunately exacerbate this issue by forcing you to replay missions you’ve already finished.

It’s not that the game lacks a backstory – there’s evidence of a rich history in the world’s details, factions, and found texts. The real problem is that the game doesn’t do anything with that story. Missions feel stale because they rarely offer anything new or unexpected, often just involving collecting items or fighting the same enemies. And the rewards aren’t compelling, as you rarely receive anything that actually advances the narrative.

Look, extraction shooters are intense enough as it is – you’re constantly worried about losing all your hard-earned gear and progress. If the only goal is to just… level up, it gets old fast. I’ve been playing Arc Raiders, and it’s really focused on getting good at the mechanics, which is fun for a while. But honestly, I want something more. I love the core gameplay, but I need a better reason to really invest in the world and keep playing beyond just enjoying how it feels. I want to feel like my time matters for something bigger than just better stats.

Bungie’s Storytelling Could Redefine the Extraction Shooter

Bungie’s work on Marathon really shows their strength in storytelling. They’ve always known that a good story isn’t just about cutscenes and what characters say. It’s about how the game is built – its rhythm, and how your actions matter. Whether it’s Halo or Destiny, Bungie is great at blending story into the gameplay itself. You discover the world by actually playing and experiencing it.

As a huge fan, I’m really excited about what Bungie could do with the Marathon extraction shooter concept. If they really lean into making each playthrough matter, it could be something truly special. I’m picturing missions that actually change depending on how successful – or unsuccessful – you were on your last run. Maybe objectives could reveal secrets about other players, or even the game’s world itself! Instead of just grinding to get better at the same stuff, you’d be actively uncovering a mystery. Honestly, that would make Marathon stand out so much, especially since so many games in this genre seem to forget about a good story.

It’s not enough to simply reveal the game’s story; players need a reason to care. If Bungie can make each attempt feel meaningful, even failures can contribute to the narrative, instead of feeling like a frustrating setback. Winning should feel like it impacts the story, not just give you better items. This could create a new kind of extraction shooter where players are driven by a desire to uncover the mysteries of the world, not just acquire better gear. I’m enjoying the way Arc Raiders plays, but I need the story of Marathon to really draw me in and make me feel connected to the game’s universe.

Maps as Storytelling Engines in Marathon

A really exciting feature of Marathon is how its levels aren’t just places to play—they’re designed to tell stories. The developers at Bungie have suggested that the layout of each level, what you see, and how it changes over time will all contribute to the narrative. This is important in extraction shooters because players invest a lot of time mastering the maps, learning the best routes and key locations. If the maps themselves change or reveal new information, it keeps the game interesting, provides a continuing challenge, and makes each playthrough feel unique and rewarding.

It seems like the game Marathon is increasingly using its maps to reveal backstory. Details like ruined buildings, changed landscapes, and subtle environmental clues can effectively share a history without interrupting gameplay. If the missions also use this approach, Bungie could create a truly captivating story – something rare in the extraction shooter genre. Even more exciting, a map that evolves based on what players do could make the community feel like they’re actively shaping the story, not just watching it unfold. It’s surprising that Arc Raiders hasn’t adopted this yet, especially considering many of its missions involve aiding Speranza and potentially rebuilding the surface world.

Look, Bungie’s always been great at telling stories – the Halo games really prove that. But I’m starting to wonder if Marathon will be their last big narrative hit. The trailer totally grabbed me, and I know I’m not alone, but the game itself needs to deliver. Especially with games like Arc Raiders getting so much attention. We’re talking about an extraction shooter, which means we’ll be replaying levels a lot. So, imagine if the maps actually changed based on the story? That would be a game-changer, honestly, and something totally fresh for this genre.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

Read More

2026-01-15 00:13