Importance Score: 53 / 100 🔵
The extraction shooter genre, known for its high stakes and punishing gameplay loops, can be initially daunting for new players. Many find the rapid onset of death and the potential loss of hard-earned loot in titles like Escape from Tarkov and even more accessible games like Call of Duty: DMZ deeply discouraging. The struggle to recover from defeat and the feeling of being perpetually underequipped can be a significant barrier to entry. However, the recent gameplay reveal of Bungie’s Marathon suggests a potentially more approachable and casual entry into the extraction shooter space. This fresh take on the hardcore genre aims to deliver the exhilarating highs of extraction gameplay while mitigating the frustrating lows, potentially broadening its appeal.
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Marathon: Embracing a Class-Based System
The Marathon gameplay reveal showcased a distinct feature: a class-based structure. Players will choose from six unique “Runners” at launch, each analogous to classes in games such as Destiny or hero abilities in titles like Apex Legends and Rainbow Six Siege. The event highlighted four Runners available during the closed alpha:
- Locus: A soldier archetype specializing in aggressive, “push-forward gameplay,” designed to lead in combat engagements.
- Blackbird: A reconnaissance class Runner focused on identifying and highlighting enemy positions for their team.
- Glitch: A fast and agile “disruptor” employing hit-and-run tactics to harass and destabilize enemy teams.
- Void: A stealth-oriented Runner utilizing smoke grenades and active camouflage for covert operations.
While players can enhance their Runners with implants and “Cores,” the inherent traits of each class, like Glitch’s double jump or Locus’ deployable shields, guarantee a foundational level of offensive and defensive capability from the start of each match. Blackbird’s Ultimate ability, as noted by previews, further emphasizes class roles, allowing players to interrogate downed enemies and reveal the locations of their squadmates.
These defined class dynamics in Marathon offer a clear framework for team play. Recognizing a Locus signals a potential high-firepower threat, while spotting a Void suggests the possibility of stealthy maneuvers. This system establishes role expectations from match outset, shifting the focus beyond simply looting and surviving. Players can select a role that suits their playstyle before deploying, rather than being forced to scavenge for specific gear to fulfill a desired team role like a tank or support character.
This class-based approach also mitigates the punishing “death spiral” common in many extraction shooters. The predefined Runner roles reduce the reliance on extensive scavenging to become effective after suffering losses. In games where death strips players of everything, repeated failures can lead to a frustrating cycle of entering subsequent matches severely underpowered. Concerns about this harsh experience for newcomers were raised in previews, questioning how new players would cope with the feeling of being perpetually at a disadvantage after consecutive deaths.
Marathon appears to offer a more forgiving and resilient foundation. Despite previews mentioning a modest starting weapon loadout, players at least deploy with their Runner’s unique abilities and a basic, sponsored equipment set after each death. This ensures players are not entirely defenseless upon re-entry. The inherent Runner abilities provide a more manageable starting point, even after significant setbacks.
Ultimately, while Marathon will inevitably reward skillful, long-term survival, the inclusion of pre-defined Runner abilities and roles aims to make the extraction shooter genre more approachable. The reduced emphasis on survival mechanics like hunger or thirst, absence of complex injury systems, combined with Bungie’s reputation for polished and responsive shooter gameplay, positions Marathon as a promising contender to broaden the appeal of the extraction shooter to a wider audience.