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?

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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.

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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?