Marathon Looks Fun, but It Could Really Use a Single-Player Campaign

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Bungie, the developer behind Marathon, has managed to create buzz for another extract-based shooter, despite fan fatigue from paying for multiplayer titles. The game’s recent live stream generated interest, with its polished gameplay and intriguing lore. However, fans are hinting that this shooter might need an extra element to truly captivate them, perhaps even offering a more affordable price compared to most full-priced games.

Naturally, that something else is a single-player mode.

Prior to creating live-service games such as Destiny, gamers who are more accustomed to the old school era will recall Bungie’s earlier work on games featuring single-player content. For instance, the original Halo series on Xbox and Xbox 360 showcased this, offering players a chance to immerse themselves in Master Chief’s sci-fi action tales before engaging in battles with their friends using plasma guns and swords. This blend of solo and multiplayer elements was appreciated by fans, who now yearn for it in the predominantly multiplayer-focused shooters that are currently popular.

It’s disheartening for a gaming enthusiast like me to witness games rich in lore, such as Marathon, debut without a single-player mode. Despite enjoying the team-based excitement of Overwatch and Marvel Rivals, it’s disappointing that most of their engaging narratives unfold beyond the gameplay experience. Marvel Rivals attempts to bridge this gap by making match outcomes influence the story, but it often fails to create a sense of significance.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that while Marathon‘s gameplay looks enticing, the decision to fully dive into live-service from the get-go has left some of us a bit disgruntled. The character designs and levels are undeniably impressive, but when these areas transform into multiplayer maps, they lose some of their charm. Repeatedly traversing these spaces primarily to eliminate opponents could potentially dampen the initial excitement for many.

In games such as Marvel Rivals, repetition is tolerated since it’s a free-to-play title. While players do need to shell out money for Battle Passes and costumes, basic gameplay and character usage remain complimentary. Unlike Bungie’s extractor shooter, fans can enjoy viewing Emma Frost’s legs without spending a dime.

Bungie’s developers could potentially pull off such a move due to their strong reputation from Halo and Destiny series. While it’s true that Destiny had live-service aspects that drew mixed reactions, its sequel did transition to free-to-play with additional expansions being paid content. Marathon, however, is aiming to steer clear of this model, which might be the reason for its non-full-price release in September.

Longtime enthusiasts find themselves disillusioned due to the multiplayer focus of the new game, as the classic Marathon series was primarily designed for solo play. While players can still enjoy the original titles via Steam, they had hoped for a single-player campaign in this updated version. Perhaps, they may follow Splatoon 2’s example and introduce a single-player storyline post-launch, even if it requires additional payment as downloadable content.

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2025-04-13 14:42