The video reviews Bungie’s new game Marathon, highlighting its unique atmosphere, distinct visual style, and Bungie’s signature gameplay, which John surprisingly enjoys despite usually disliking multiplayer service games. While the game’s steep learning curve, focus on loot collection, and abrupt session endings divide opinions, the group agrees that Marathon offers a fresh, niche take on the multiplayer extraction shooter genre with potential for cooperative play.
The video discusses the release of Bungie’s new game, Marathon, which is available on multiple platforms. John, who usually is skeptical about multiplayer service games, expresses a surprisingly positive impression of Marathon. He appreciates the unique atmosphere, mysterious visuals, and the distinct Bungie “sauce” that sets it apart from typical multiplayer shooters. John recounts his solo experience in the game, highlighting moments of curiosity and satisfaction, such as stealthily taking down an enemy, which kept him engaged despite not fully understanding the game’s mechanics initially.
Rich offers a contrasting perspective, finding the game less accessible and harder to engage with, especially when playing solo. He praises the game’s distinct visual style and technical features, such as the PS5 Pro’s multiple anti-aliasing options, but criticizes the early gameplay loop where dying can abruptly end a session, which he feels could be frustrating. Rich also notes the game’s heavy focus on collecting loot, which didn’t capture his interest, and compares Marathon unfavorably to the immediacy and excitement of classic shooters like Quake.
Oliver adds to the discussion by focusing on the game’s genre as an extraction shooter with both PvE and PvP elements. He expresses surprise that Bungie chose a more PvP-heavy approach, contrasting it with the PvE-centric style of Destiny and other extraction shooters like Rainbow Six Extraction. Oliver also points out an interesting technical aspect regarding the PS5 Pro’s use of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology, which aims to deliver a sharp 4K image by rendering at higher resolutions internally.
The group reflects on the game’s niche appeal, acknowledging that Marathon is likely to attract a dedicated fanbase rather than a broad mainstream audience. They appreciate its uniqueness and Bungie’s creative touch but recognize that its mysterious and somewhat complex gameplay might alienate some players. John expresses a wish for a traditional single-player Marathon campaign but admits that the multiplayer experience has been more enjoyable than expected, especially with Bungie’s signature gameplay feel.
In conclusion, while opinions vary, the consensus is that Marathon offers a fresh and creative take on the multiplayer extraction shooter genre, with strong visual style and engaging moments for those willing to invest time. However, its steep learning curve and unconventional design choices may limit its appeal to a more niche audience. The video ends on a hopeful note about potentially playing the game cooperatively as a team in the future, emphasizing the importance of time to fully appreciate such games.