Marathon Steals Destiny 2’s Best Features But Forces Players Into Teams

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Summary

  • Marathon shares key features with Destiny 2, such as buildcrafting and seasonal storytelling.
  • Marathon is set to be a premium game, possibly priced around $40 at launch.
  • The game is team-based, potentially alienating solo players due to the lack of a solo queue.

As a dedicated Destiny 2 player today, I found myself buzzing with anticipation as Bungie, now under Sony’s wing, revealed the thrilling gameplay for their upcoming first-person shooter PvP extraction title, Marathon. Despite evolving through various phases and even rumors suggesting it might transform into a hero shooter at one point, there’s been a shift in its leadership, Marathon still appears to be an electrifying addition to the Destiny 2 universe, thanks to the common elements they both possess.

Though fundamentally distinct games, the DNA of Destiny 2 seems deeply embedded within Bungie’s new creation. However, this shared heritage could prove a double-edged sword, given one significant aspect of the game.

As a fervent enthusiast, I must say that so far, the game is only in its alpha stage, offering playable versions of merely four Runners. At launch, it will debut with three maps, with an additional map to follow later on. This early release state has ignited discussions about the game’s price point, as it’s been confirmed as a premium title, albeit not at full price, which could potentially set its initial cost around $40.

Today’s livestream provided a developer interview and a plethora of gameplay sequences. It appears to embody some of the finest aspects of Destiny 2, yet it also seems to mirror one of its least favorable characteristics.

Marathon is History Repeating Itself After Destiny 2’s Trials of Osiris

In essence, the game titled Marathon offers elements like building, character personalization, an engaging environment with seasonal narratives, shared account advancement, fresh maps and regular updates, in-game events, and bounties. These aspects echo some key components of Destiny 2‘s late-game and revenue strategy. However, it’s unique in being a team-oriented extraction looter with squads consisting of three players; solo play is an option but not particularly fostered by the developers. The challenge here lies in the fact that Bungie does not support solo play, there’s no specific queue for solos, and players will either be paired with other teams via matchmaking or face off against such squads made up of both matchmade and pre-formed groups.

Similar to the Trials of Osiris mode in Destiny 2, where teams of three compete without a solo queue option, Marathon also seems to favor team play. While it’s possible to play alone, you may encounter mostly premade squads, which gives them an advantage over single players. This design choice aligns with the concept of Marathon being a game that works best when played as part of a team. However, this might not be ideal for solo players or those without a group to play with.

Marathon: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Including character customization for gameplay abilities in games such as Marathon and Destiny 2 is an excellent feature, with the latter’s builds demonstrating this over time. Additionally, while seasonal storytelling in Destiny 2 may create a sense of fear of missing out (FOMO), many fans appreciate how it works. Notably, continuous updates with new content and progression that doesn’t rely on the outcome of an extraction mission is a positive aspect seen in games like Marathon.

Despite featuring PvE elements and progression tied to bounties, Marathon is primarily a game focused on Player vs Player (PvP) interactions. The fact that it’s built around teams of three players can create some issues, as seen in games like Elden Ring Nightreign, where catering to various playstyles can be challenging, such as those who prefer playing in pairs. Similarly, Marathon might face similar problems, and it could be particularly difficult to justify solo runs within this game. This is concerning, especially considering the historically poor experience for solo players in PvP of games like Destiny 2. As a result, Marathon‘s approach may not improve the situation for those on the fence about joining. This potential downside should be taken into account.

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2025-04-13 00:47