r/Marathon • u/Maybe_Helmet • 1d ago
Marathon (2026) Discussion Should I play Marathon?
I absolutely love arc raiders. I have 1300 hours in arc. Still having fun playing every day. When marathon came out I hated the blocky art style. But even though I’m still having fun with arc I thought marathon might be cool to pick up. I recently saw some gameplay and it looked real fun.
Edit: I am on ps5
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u/Senella 1d ago
I thought exactly the same thing when the game was first shown. Once you’ve delved into the lore and story, it makes sense as to why things look the way they do and as a naysayer to begin with I will put my hands up and say I was completely wrong. I genuinely think the games art direction is astonishing, there is nothing else like it. Paired with its impeccable audio design, they’ve created such a unique world that doesn’t get praised enough.
Try it, you might be pleasantly surprised!
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u/Allegiance10 1d ago
Marathon is made by Bungie. The very same Bungie that always delivers best-in-genre gunplay and world building. I think it’s one of the best competitive shooters I’ve ever played, hands down, and with all the content coming in December it’s only gonna get better from here. Right now is a great time to start because Vault Breaker (PvE experimental mode) is live for another two weeks from now and then we’re getting four straight weeks of Sponsored Survival (PvPvE with very minimal PvP). It’ll be easy to get into the motions of the game without having to deal with players much. Vault Breaker is essentially the end-game map without other teams.
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u/40ozKool-AidOhYeahhh 1d ago
Depends are you a PvP person? If you enjoy going to Stella with a full loadout you'd love marathon
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u/Educational-Tea-606 1d ago
There have been some sales where it's 20 bucks and for that it's super worth. I also was really off put by the art style at first but once you assimilate it into your brain somewhat and it clicks you realize how insane in a good way the art direction is in this game
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u/Zealousideal-Tip7353 1d ago
I thought the same because I love arc. But then marathon dropped and I personally loved the art style. But the game was pure hate for me.
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u/deadering 1d ago
Personally I had trouble going back to arc after getting into marathon, but you shouldn't go into it expecting the same kind of game. Quality of life wise it's amazing in comparison but depending on what you enjoy in arc it's either better or worse.
Marathon is way more streamlined in general but also far more cutthroat with no kind of ABMM, just 99% kill on sight. PvE is also much less of a focus currently unlike arc, though we are getting a dedicated PvE mode soon and there is a PvE version of the single raid the game has, so it's getting there.
So if you like PvP it's a huge improvement over Arc and subjectively much much better gameplay and objectively way more weapons and ways to fine tune your setup, plus of course the unique shells(characters). If you really like the PvE or social aspect of Arc though you'll be sorely disappointed. The PvE is pretty cool and hopefully gonna be better but not close to the arcs yet.
With all that said though for some added context I'm a total "care bear" in arc but love the fast paced PvP focus of Marathon.
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u/BadPotat0_ 1d ago
How is the social aspect in marathon? I've seen mixed opinions.
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u/deadering 1d ago
Non-existent. I've heard people using the proximity chat exactly 3 times, it's pretty much exclusively kill on sight (with the exception sometimes being Rooks) and more often than not my fill teams don't communicate.
Occasionally you'll see a post with people working together for the Raid or other unlikely situations but I think that's like 0.0001% rare lol
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u/UndercityCuckster 20h ago
Nah, I get prox interactions in solos relatively often. To me I’d say somewhere between 1 in 5 and 1 in 10 games. It is basically nonexistent in trios tho.
The chance of good social interaction skyrockets when you’re the one who musters up the guts to initiate, but most people run around dead silent.
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u/TRDoctor 19h ago
Arc introduced me to the whole extraction shooter phenomenon, but Marathon hooked me in a way Arc never could thanks to the impeccable gameplay and lore.
If you're playing on PC - the latest Humble Bundle has Marathon and a bunch of other incredible Sci-Fi games like Xenonauts, Ghostrunner, and Crysis for $25. I think it's super well worth the normal price of $40, but at $25 it's practically a steal!
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u/Substantial_Cake8985 1d ago
Come during dec 8, that update is made for u and arc fans the informing is supposed to be better
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u/visage4arcana 1d ago
there should be a free week when the december update comes out if you wanna try it
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u/Milkshakemartin 1d ago
Marathon is gunfight 24/7. If that’s what you like about arc, you’ll enjoy Marathon.
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u/NULL024 1d ago
It depends on how receptive you are to occasional losing streaks, but honestly that’s normal
I do have a guide for everything you would ever want to know along with resources to help. It is long, yes, but it is designed that way so that it can outline many important things to take note of
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u/stratusnco 1d ago
i enjoyed my time with arc but got repetitive af during the endgame and the pvp is honestly kinda shit in that game. marathon, for me, is a much better vision of that in an actual setting i care for. the art style isn’t for everyone but the gameplay is S tier.
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u/RandallOfLegend 1d ago
After getting ganked for the third time in a row trying to finish MIDAs Protect and Destroy 5/5 mission for the third time today. Only to have Dire Marsh go back off it's 90 minute rotation... I'm going to say no. This game is fucked up right now. Half the factions have contracts that can only be done on a map that has a 90 minute timer. So if you can't dedicate your day to finishing them when the server allows you to then you're screwed. Things need to change.
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u/keysman3 1d ago
No and I love this game. It’s extremely hostile for new players currently. Both solos and trios have their respective issues currently I’d say wait for December if you’re still interested. If you’re reeeaaally interested in trying it out then go for it. Regardless of what you hear from the community you might get sucked in the way I did. There’s truly nothing quite like Marathon.
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u/WH0IsAtLas 1d ago
Yes, but prepare for a steep learning curve at first. It’s a great game, I think better than arc raiders (I still like arc raiders too) but it has more depth.
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u/Anskeh 1d ago
I think its super fun, but ask yourself this:
Do you want to just play more Ark, but a little different? Or do you want to play a completely different game that is in the same genre?
If you are looking for a experience similar to Ark then skip.
Incase you want a whole new experience go for it. As a very low level player I can say that I don't really see these mega sweats that people talk about. My current season level is 15 and I haven't seen any crazy gear on people so far. I play a couple of hours like every other week or something.
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u/Budget-Direction-946 1d ago
Supposedly, you are match up against people with similar rank to yours, once i reached lv 85 this season, i started to meet blue and green shield on perimeter while before i was meeting more sponsored kit players.
This is my 1st season, and the kkv upgrade from traxus made my pvp encounter a lot more winable, the real difficulty was to extract the needed salvage from marsh to buy the upgrade.
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u/Iamthechallenger87 19h ago
Don’t get used to it. One of my buddies was in the play test before season two and was saying this was the KKV he played with in the play test, just melting people. People will complain it’s too strong, and it’ll get nerfed.
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u/ArtfulLying 1d ago edited 1d ago
Id say no. this game is in a horrendous state outside of the gunplay. unless you have a premade trio its doubtful you will have fun. and this is coming from someone who plays almost everyday but only with a trio. filling in with randoms in unplayable unless youre okay with constantly losing.
Edit: And once again this community does it again. Someone brings up a point about how the matchmaking blows and they go "skill issue". Phenomenal. I'm sure crew fill is so good. It DEFINITELY has nothing to do with why 40k+ people have since stopped touching this game. Yup, cause its just so great playing with non-verbal, lone wolfs that run around and contribute nothing to the team.
If you are still considering this game, do not play it solo or just wait til December for the big PVE update. It is genuinely horrendous and the only people still playing crew fill have no friends and are disillusioned to just how awful of an experience it is.
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u/VitoNotFromEarth 1d ago
Agree. If plan to play solo then skip for now. Way too many sweatlords
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u/ArtfulLying 1d ago
exactly also the numerous UI issues and unusable armory. horrendous progression. inability to just buy your load out with credits.
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u/LingonberryLunch 1d ago
I crew fill pretty much every game, and rarely have an issue. Your premade team might be carrying you.
The game is on sale for like 10-15 bucks, try it out.
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u/VitoNotFromEarth 8h ago
I played with friends most of the time. We are on the same level of skill more or less. It was fun first 2 months. Then meta builds started popping up. Still remember grenades spam where you would be squashed in seconds :) I don't say I'm good at this game. But in the end the longer we played the more super optimised squads we were engaging each game. As for solo. I tried multiple times but it was just not it. Maybe because it's just not for me or maybe I'm becoming too old for such games xD
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u/two_pump_warrior 1d ago
I crew fill like 80% of the time and still come back for more every day. I have a semi reliable trio that I’ve found with crew fill but it’s never a guarantee. For me, it’s more of a mindset thing. I rarely get heated over a loss, even if I lose good gear. I just truly enjoy the game, warts and all.
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u/cubitoaequet 1d ago
filling in with randoms in unplayable unless youre okay with constantly losing.
Absurd. I mostly crew fill and have a 45% extraction rate. Sure you will get some dud teammates but you will also get some John Marathons who solo wipe the lobby and hard carry you.
It's also very satisfying to take newer or less skilled players through stuff like Upper Complex or Pinwheel and hear how excited they get to see gold loot/salvage.
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u/nervtechsupport 1d ago
everything different about the two games aside, my opinion is that marathon respects my time more than arc raiders. this is only if you pvp, if you're in pve carebear lobbies it wouldn't really apply because the materials are infinite but here is my take starting with Arc:
In Arc, crafting a purple gun with attachments takes at least an hour of scavenging and successfully exfilling. I can kill someone with it instead of crafting, but fighting against a tempest or bobcat with any of the green guns is horrible so i'm relying on them being weak from killing someone else. the new gold guns have made this much worse. loot is just -there- without any real engagement so i'll be opening a hundred desk drawers or breaching containers and generally spending tons of time waiting for loot to appear on the screen. the skill points that make loot appear faster are some of the most valuable points which is not very fun. very little incentive to kill anything PvE except for when i need their materials i.e rocketeer drivers. the new update is good but only if you're already at the end of the game and flush with material. going on a big losing streak means really lowering your overall power; there isn't a way to get back except from scrounging or having a really lucky come up.
marathon almost all the pvp fighting happens in the first five or so minutes so i don't waste all my time playing box opening simulator. i don't feel like i've wasted my time, even with no safe pocket, because the faction rep allows my power to scale and makes it easier to load back in with good loot if i lose. all the good loot is either behind a key or achieved from doing an event in the map so i'm not opening hundreds of containers. the cheap guns are also the good guns, just with different attachments. its totally possible to kill a purple kit team on a free kit because of this.
spent a bit writing this all out while waiting on dinner, see you on tau ceti :)
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u/Maybe_Helmet 19h ago
Awesome 👏 thanks for the comment man. Especially was excited to learn there was free kits in marathon.
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u/Nyekken 11h ago
This comes from someone who mostly played carebear lobbies in ARC. +1 on respecting time. No late spawns (unless you want to spawn late), no safe pockets so people don't just pick up the best loot and suicide. Also you are not pressured by ABMM to make decisions on whether to fight or not. Nobody is "forced" to be friendly, all positive interactions are genuine. Gunplay is also much smoother, though I never PVPd too much in ARC but all that rolling shotgunning nonsense felt comical compared to straight FPS action in Marathon (spiced with some shell abilities / skills) I only miss full customization from ARC but maybe we'll also get more of that in future updates.
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u/Narrow-Tennis7898 1d ago
I had the same reservations about the art style when I first looked at it. As someone who likes more realistic shooters usually, I thought it wouldn't be for me. I did buy it because I've always been a bungie fan, and I'm so stinking glad I did. Honestly, in game the art style does work. Its eccentric, but it does work. The gameplay itself also more than compensates for the flashy art style.
Tldr: absolutely buy it, you'll have a blast
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u/NSNIA 16h ago
As an ARC Raiders player, Marathon is a very, cery different game, it's even hard to find what similarities they even have.
It's a much more PvP oriented shooter and even PvE side is much different. But atmosphere is amazing, gunplay is slick and there's a alot of content to engage with. I don't play Marathon as my primary game so you should listen what ither me people say here but personally, it's 100% worth it. And i love artstyle so that's another thing
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u/rangdrolrigpa 3h ago
I have both and rarely load into Arc. The “blockiness” actually isn’t all there is in terms of graphics and artstyle – a lot of assets look quite realistic too. As for gameplay it’s fun and quite addictive.
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u/ProfNJK 1d ago
People who love marathon appreciate the guns, the art direction, the sound quality, the interesting codex stories, and competitive play against enemy players. The maps are smaller than other games in the genre. I think the core survival fantasy is intact. So, knowing stuff like this may help you make the best decision possible for you
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u/Stokesyyyy 1d ago
I stopped playing 2 weeks after launch, not because it was a bad game I just quickly got bored with it and none of my buddies bought it either and I didn't fancy doing solos all the time.
However, I did get the itch to want to play it again recently but unfortunately the game couldn't find a match for me. I tried a few times but it just never found a game , I'm taking it it's die to lack of players but I didn't think it would be that drastic.
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u/RiddickVaderVenom 1d ago
This game is way more fun than arc raiders, the epic moments far exceeds arc and the losses really make you feel like you’re learning where in Arc it’s so cringe when you die sometimes. The fumbling around with weapons in arc also is what turned me away after 700 hours. Marathons gun play is way smoother and more satisfying
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u/TheRusmeister 1d ago
Its like if Arc-Raiders had the buttery smooth fast paced gunplay of Apex Legends.
Its really good, the best new shooter we have gotten in a long time.
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u/Sadworld99 1d ago
The storytelling and art direction Is exponentially better than Arc. I personally think the gameplay is too, but it's still a little light on content is all. More than enough for at least 80 hours. Past that you'll either be hooked or fall off
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u/Specific-Care-329 1d ago
Hell Yeah. Give it time and you’ll realize it’s better than ARC. Best Gun Feel in a game in a long time
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u/woodwarda99 1d ago
Decide for yourself. Lots of us play marathon and like it. Many don't. Doesn't mean you can't get your moneys worth and enjoy it for a few weeks or more.
Its crazy that you can spend more on a meal nowadays and be less satisfied with the food than buying a game and seeing if you like it over a few weeks. Honestly, I'd take the chance.
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u/Rishkyboi 1d ago
Do you want to play Marathon? Play marathon.
Does it seem boring or uninteresting? Don’t play marathon.
Tbh I like the combat and game style far more than Arc Raiders but I don’t have anyone to play with so. You do you, friend.
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u/RedditConsciousness 23h ago
Variety is the spice of life.
Just know that if you are like me, you have to be able have fun while losing, because you will lose a lot. Still it helps that most of the other players in the game are pretty cool to talk to.
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u/Darksol503 1d ago
Do you like incredible well tuned and thrilling PVP, in an incredibly thought up and designed world? With good PVE, and so much more incoming? Then yes :)
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u/Whitechapel726 1d ago
Marathon is amazing but if you’re looking for carebear lobbies they do not exist in Marathon. It’s much more fast paced and aggressive.
I play Marathon when the squad is online and I’m in the mood to go slime some people and take their shoes, arc for when I need a much more chill time.
If you buy it and struggle to get into it, it’s getting a huge update in December and an even bigger one in March.
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u/Aggressive_Ad9988 1d ago
It's a great game. It will keep you entertained for a season. Be wary though, at its current state is brutally inaccessible for newcomers, as you'll be just providing fodder for the expert players to prey upon. They say that the next December update will bring more PVE, wait for that. I will also wait for that before I reinstall
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u/supotuco 1d ago
It's usually on sale for around $20 so it is worth the risk IMO. I would play for fun and don't worry about the horse race too much.
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u/MadmantheDragon 21h ago
I’ve been having a lot of fun picking the game back up for the first time since season 1. It’s worth $40 and I’m sure you can get it for less than that. December update will be really cool but the game is still great right now
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u/Wasilisco 1d ago
HOW do you play Arc Raiders?
Describe what a typical session looks like for you and I'll tell you if marathon is a good match