Marathon is doomed — ARC Raiders is already a much better extraction shooter, and I feel bad for Bungie’s developers

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In simple terms, ARC Raiders is a new action-packed shooter game scheduled to release, developed by Embark Studios – creators of The Finals. You’ll be taking on the character of an ARC Raider, exploring the planet’s surface for valuable items. As you journey through the game, you’ll encounter other players and advanced ARC machines that rule the planet’s upper regions.

1980s aesthetic blended with a hint of Mad Max dominates the design, while weapons crafted from raw brutality fit seamlessly into your grasp. Each weapon boasts unique advantages and disadvantages when confronting distinct enemy classes, whether they are robotic or human foes.

To date, it’s been delightful experiencing gameplay, but any title attempting a simultaneous release will likely face its demise, given the strong appeal of Bungie’s Marathon reboot compared to ARC Raiders. In simpler terms, if both games are launched at around the same time, the Marathon revival seems destined for failure due to its more appealing nature compared to ARC Raiders.

The extraction shooter genre is getting cramped

As a tech enthusiast, you might be curious about how I can possibly compare two games that haven’t hit the shelves yet, given that it’s quite an intriguing question. Even though Bungie’s extraction shooter, Marathon, is scheduled for launch five months from now, I’m uncertain if that timeframe is even remotely close to what they would need to match Embark Studios’ ARC Raiders in terms of quality and features.

Although these two games have significantly distinct visual styles and perspectives, it’s important to note that they cater to the same “extract-and-shoot” game enthusiasts. However, this genre is not novel or unexplored, as its player base has already been established.

Showdown, and others including Dark and Darker, rule the market. Games that have entered this genre previously, like Marauders – a favorite of many – have diminished significantly, with only about 100 active players on Steam now.

Various games, such as Call of Duty and Delta Force, have dabbled in this genre by presenting their own takes on the style. Currently, there are additional titles under development, like Arena Breakout, which aims to deliver a mix of realistic and arcade-style battles.

As the market matures and grows more sophisticated over time, what might be the fate of games like Marathon and ARC Raiders, particularly since they’re slated for release towards the end of 2025? This could be a challenging scenario due to the evolving nature of the gaming industry.

What makes ARC Raiders better than Marathon?

It seems there’s been a lot of discussion online regarding the absence of the extraction shooter “hook” from Marathon’s design.

There seems to be a lack of the desire to continue playing, even just one more round, when it comes to Marathon. It’s disheartening because the game appears and performs so well.

In terms of gunfights, Bungie reigns supreme. Their games, such as Destiny 2 and Halo before it, have always delivered smooth and satisfying combat experiences. Unfortunately, Marathon seems to fall short of this expectation. It appears that the game is struggling with its own identity.

Marathon tries to simplify the extraction shooter gameplay structure, making it less complex for easier understanding. However, this results in a dilution of each mechanic, which may not appeal to potential fans of extraction shooters. Furthermore, it overlooks several mechanics that enthusiasts of extraction shooters typically appreciate.

ARC Raiders strives to honor the legacy of its genre by refining and enhancing its systems, making them accessible for all. It aims to strike a harmonious blend of being inviting to newcomers yet challenging for veterans, providing a foundational understanding while allowing room for exploration.

Marathon aspires to replicate the essence of the genre, yet it seems to strip away elements that make it truly captivating. Here’s a simplified rundown of some aspects noticeably absent in Marathon:

1. Rich, immersive storytelling – The narrative depth often found in this genre is significantly diminished.
2. Engaging characters – The emotional connections and character development that are usually key to the experience are largely missing.
3. Strategic gameplay – Tactical decision-making and the satisfaction of outsmarting opponents appear to be less emphasized.
4. Dynamic environments – The adaptive, interactive worlds that add a layer of realism are noticeably absent.
5. Challenging boss battles – The excitement and sense of accomplishment from overcoming powerful foes is hard to find in Marathon.

  • Traditional crafting
  • Solo play
  • Skill trees

Although they might appear insignificant at first glance, these elements offer additional goals for players and provide a tangible feeling of advancement. To illustrate this with an example, consider the aspect of crafting:

1. Players can collect resources from the game world to create useful items, such as weapons or potions, which adds an extra layer of depth to gameplay.
2. As players progress through the game and level up their skills, they unlock new recipes and techniques for crafting more advanced or powerful items, giving them a sense of achievement and growth.
3. The crafting system also encourages exploration by requiring certain resources that can only be found in specific locations, making each discovery feel meaningful and rewarding.

In ARC Raiders, there are several workstations available in your base for the player to construct and enhance. Each workstation requires particular materials to create initially and a different set for leveling up. These workstations can be improved up to three times each. Hope this makes it clear!

In addition to this, during a raid, players will find different blueprints for various items. If they survive the raid, it’s usually necessary to have an upgraded workbench to construct those found items. Upgrading the workbench then becomes quite beneficial, as it provides the player with tangible progress, something they can achieve, see, and feel proud about.

Marathon doesn’t have that.

Additionally, let’s not forget about single-player modes, a distinctive feature of extractor-shooter games. Escape from Tarkov stands out as an exemplary representation of this gameplay style.

In my experience, ARC Raiders and Embark Studios have masterfully created the gameplay. Upon entering several team matches, I encountered multiple teams. Subsequently, I engaged in numerous solo sessions, but only encountered other lone players – no more groups appeared.

In games such as Tarkov, I prefer not to be compelled to team up with unknown players. This is why many battle royale titles offer a single-player mode where you can engage on your own terms, allowing for solo gameplay that suits my personal style.

1. I have tasks that others won’t undertake. In certain situations, enforced teamwork isn’t always effective when trying to make progress. When everyone has their own objectives to pursue, no one will accomplish their goals without someone else giving up on their own progress.
2. I have assignments that others won’t take on. In many cases, compulsory collaboration is not the best approach when trying to advance. If everyone has their own objectives they need to complete, no one can succeed unless someone else puts their own progress aside.
3. I have jobs to do that others won’t do. On numerous occasions, mandatory teamwork isn’t the ideal method for making headway. When each person has their own goals to achieve, no one will reach their destination without another person sacrificing their own journey.

ARC Raiders has better PvE over Marathon

Whenever I engage with Escape from Tarkov, I can’t help but appreciate the relentless nature of its AI. For those who have dabbled in this game, it’s no secret that the AI becomes ruthlessly challenging when one turns a blind eye or makes a misstep. Extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov are unique in their emphasis on providing authentic Player vs Environment (PvE) combat scenarios. These encounters serve as legitimate threats that either need to be circumvented or confronted for the chance of reaping substantial rewards.

As a researcher, I can say that ARC Raiders offers an abundance of PvE (Player versus Environment) content via the ARC machines. Each machine holds its distinct value in shaping the overall enemy encounter. Some function as advance scouts, marking Raider positions, while others are sheer colossi, posing a challenge only for seasoned groups to take down.

To defeat them individually, it’s best to avoid these foes as much as possible since many of them require powerful weaponry for repeated penetration. This makes most weapons ineffective against them.

In many cases, enemies beyond your basic level require multiple rounds from your magazine to defeat. As a lone player, it’s wise to engage in fewer battles unless you’re prepared to potentially draw in more players while continuously firing at one ARC repeatedly.

They work together effectively, posing a greater danger if not handled correctly. Each adversary possesses unique abilities that enhance their collective strength when united. The image above vividly depicts such a situation.

I summoned the elevator when a noise gave away my position to a massive ARC unit. I then encountered this and some wandering adversaries. By strategically throwing a decoy grenade, I managed to lure them away momentarily, allowing me to jump onto the elevator and escape.

In Marathon, there isn’t anything that evokes fear or soulfulness. Instead, what we get are impersonal robots. These robots lack the depth that one might expect from the studio known for the Destiny series, a studio renowned for its innovative player-versus-environment (PvE) content.

It seems confusing to me, but if they want a shot at competing with the spectacular performance that ARC Raiders is delivering right now, they must sort things out and improve.

Are there any other individuals who feel similarly about Marathon or ARC Raiders as I do? Or is it just me who senses a similar atmosphere in these games?

Let me know in the comments or on social media!

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2025-05-01 13:40