Very Positive(88%)
gunplay
art direction
atmosphere
sound design
difficulty
extraction model
gear loss
performance
matchmaking
UI issues
balance
Gunplay and art direction are frequently praised, highlighting Bungie's established prowess in these areas. However, performance optimization and matchmaking issues cast a shadow over the experience, frustrating players who face long queue times and team imbalance. While the difficulty is appreciated by those looking for a challenging PvPvE shooter, it proves to be a barrier for some, highlighting a need for balance adjustments and better accessibility.
Positive Points
Many players praise the game for its challenging, engaging, and tight gunplay, often referenced as a hallmark of Bungie.The art direction and unique visual style are frequently highlighted as being compelling and refreshing compared to other games in the extraction shooter genre.The lore and world-building receive positive remarks for being deep and intriguing, adding a meaningful narrative layer to the gameplay experience.Players express appreciation for the game's atmosphere, sound design, and engaging combat loop, which offer a thrilling mix of PvP and PvE elements.Negative Points
A common criticism is the game's optimization, with players noting suboptimal performance, including frame drops, especially on higher-tier maps like Outpost and Cryo Archive.Matchmaking has been identified as a flaw, with issues such as long wait times and imbalance in team compositions negatively affecting gameplay.The user interface and overall UX are noted as confusing and cluttered, making navigation and inventory management cumbersome.Some players express frustration with the balance and meta, particularly regarding certain weapons and the significance of gear disparity impacting fairness in combat.Mixed Points
The game's difficulty is often discussed with mixed sentiments; while some appreciate the high challenge as rewarding and skill-enhancing, others find it excessively punishing and inaccessible for casual players.The extraction shooter model and gear loss mechanics receive mixed feedback, with some appreciating the tension and stakes it adds, while others find it frustrating and demoralizing.Common Themes
Bungie's long-standing reputation for excellent gunplay carries through in Marathon, with many players citing this as a key draw despite other criticisms.The aesthetic and artistic design of the game, while unique and generally well-received, is acknowledged as divisive—some players love it, others find it off-putting.Despite its challenges, Marathon's gameplay loop keeps many players engaged, often with a 'one more run' mentality as they describe returning repeatedly.Updated 4/15/2026, 12:01:38 AM UTC