At least in my perception the initial reactions to Marathon are overwhelmingly bad and for Arc Raiders overwhelmingly good Im genuinely interested in what key differences these two extractor shooters bear to spark such a delta since I like to talk about game design specifics.

So what do you think in specific, like what is that much better in arc raiders to compete with established blockbusters like tarkov?

Marathon is “just another extraction shooter” is what I heard as a sentiment. So this is going off the assumption that both games do nothing new as in “been there done that”

My imperssions of Marathon:

  • I see how “graphical realism” art style is a complete flop - personally as a trained media designer (elements on the map i.e. having that printer test stamp - very cliche)
  • gun models and characters feel like they are not worthy of that universe
  • the running shield animations dont help that either haha
  • personally dislike hero shooter elements
  • UI design aesthetic is very intern-level and execution often questionable (visual weighting off, uninteresting/overloaded pictograms) -> but: the implementation of the one in-game at least seems to have high level execution weirdly enough.

-> but: Gunplay seems fresh? Like no game has done that responsive recoil feedback before, no?

-> but: sound design seems very good too?

Arc Raiders has some really strong points I see:

  • The audio design is top (not a sound designer so cant tell you specifics).
  • The UI in the A to A- department, only adding responsive UI elements and other fancy tech could add as a final optional highlight.
  • Presentation and staging of the world elements seems abolutely like a blockbuster movie. Huge structures and generally a feel like youre in that post apocalyptic rebel world.

-> but: The long term combat appeal of arc is questionable, progression and long term motivation unclear.

That seems a little lacking for such negative rating, sure addicted gamers tend to be very emotional about these things but idk - even more laid back people seem to agree with these evaluations - in sum these points above are smaller likes or dislikes, but in its essence and gameplay both games do nothing much different - dont they?

Is it because the dev studio’s reputations mainly? Also marathon having such a rich backbone, feels like its disrespected by the studio. Tell me my what specifics you like and dislike in these titles - did you feel different about the games?

  • arakhis_OPEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    Yeah the lore of marathon is really something else - more at the end.

    So yeah the reputation plays a big role here it seems, huh…

    I feel the same, just already through all stages of grief, since they I was very into Halo and even loved Reach. But then D1 didnt catch me at all, since I valued mainly the gameplay and story but also just the whole package way more.

    The gunplay felt like in another league in older bungie games and is still top contender across all games. That alone though is not nearly enough to me

    Off-topic:

    You mentioned lore books and hours in destiny. Have you seen the lore series on the marathon trilogy or know the trilogys’ lore and universe?

    Apperantly there is a rabbithole theory that all bungie games are one big shared universe with a coherent underlying lore or something. This blew my mind and made me interested in playing marathon’s trilogy one day for the lore. Also how intricate and layered the whole story was. Great series heres a youtube link to it