I remember the first time I saw Marathon. The raw gameplay footage looked… rough. Skepticism turned to surprise this week, as the game surged into Steam’s best-selling charts, proving first impressions can be deceiving.
Marathon seems to have a bright future. If you exclude Steam Deck sales and the ubiquitous free-to-play titles, Marathon lands in the fifth spot. That puts it in the company of giants like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and even a discounted EA Sports FC 26.
ARC Raiders still dominates sales charts, predictably. It also has one huge advantage: it’s actually available. Marathon, on the other hand, just received a March 5 release date. Yet, even with that head start, Marathon is the best-selling pre-order on Steam—a remarkable achievement considering the hurdles it faced during development.
Marathon has improved dramatically over the last few months. The developers have released new footage showing off improvements since the alpha tests. The progress is obvious. And, apparently, the audience approves. The neon aesthetic and punchy combat seem to resonate with players, driving these early sales.
Whether that pre-release buzz translates to post-launch success remains to be seen. Marathon has already secured a spotlight, even before release. ARC Raiders has been the lone wolf, defining the market. But the newest versions of Marathon look different enough to matter.
Still, because both are extraction shooters, expect some player overlap. But if Bungie’s new title provides a unique experience, it could meet fan expectations and flourish after launch.
I questioned whether Marathon, even in its updated state, could survive in an ARC Raiders-dominated environment. I didn’t expect it to resonate with players so quickly.
Frankly, that undermines my prior skepticism, and now I’m eager to see what happens after March 5.
First Impressions Can Deceive
Think about the last time a trailer completely sold you on a game, only to be disappointed by the final product. Hype can be a powerful, yet fickle, force. It’s a tough tightrope walk for developers these days.
Marathon’s early trailers didn’t exactly set the world on fire, to put it mildly. But something shifted. Player sentiment began to change. Now, the game is sitting pretty near the peak of Steam’s pre-order charts. This shift is the result of something quite specific: the developers actually listened to the feedback.
How did the developers behind Marathon respond to initial feedback?
The team addressed criticisms head-on. They showcased visual upgrades, tweaked gameplay mechanics, and generally proved they were paying attention. It’s like watching a sculptor refine their work, chipping away at imperfections to reveal the masterpiece underneath. The renewed confidence in the game is infectious.
Remember, this isn’t just about pretty graphics (though those help). It’s about trust. Bungie is signaling that they are invested in creating a quality product, not just pushing out another extraction shooter to capitalize on a trend.
Beyond the Hype: What Makes Marathon Stand Out?
The local coffee shop down the street just launched a loyalty program. Free coffee after ten purchases. It’s simple, but effective because it provides value. The same is true for video games.
Sure, the improved graphics and smoother gameplay contribute to Marathon’s resurgence. But there’s more to it than that. In a crowded market, a game needs something to make it stand out. Marathon’s blend of fast-paced combat and striking art style has caught the eye of potential players.
The game’s developers are aiming for something more than just another copycat title. It’s clear they’re trying to carve out a unique identity for Marathon. Players are clearly responding to this effort. They’re seeing the potential for something truly special, something worth pre-ordering. This alone will help it stand out against competitors like ARC Raiders (€0.00).
What is an extraction shooter, and why is the genre so popular?
Extraction shooters blend elements of first-person shooters, survival games, and RPGs. Players enter a map, gather resources, complete objectives, and then “extract” with their loot. If you die before extracting, you lose everything you’ve collected. Escape From Tarkov is a great example of this genre. It is a high-risk, high-reward formula that creates intense and addictive gameplay loops.
The popularity of extraction shooters lies in the adrenaline rush they provide. Each match becomes a mini-narrative, filled with tension, strategy, and the constant fear of loss. The genre also fosters a strong sense of community, as players team up (or betray each other) in pursuit of loot and glory.
The Road Ahead: Can Marathon Maintain Momentum?
The marathon has just begun. Securing a top spot on Steam’s pre-order charts is a fantastic achievement. But it’s not the finish line. The real test comes on March 5, when the game finally launches.
Marathon needs to deliver on its promises. It needs to provide a polished, engaging, and unique experience that justifies the hype. It needs to avoid the pitfalls of other extraction shooters. Technical glitches, unbalanced gameplay, and predatory monetization can kill a game quickly.
Will Marathon support crossplay and cross-progression?
Crossplay and cross-progression are highly sought-after features. Crossplay allows players on different platforms (PC, PlayStation, Xbox) to play together. Cross-progression enables players to carry their progress and unlocks across different platforms.
These features would significantly enhance Marathon’s appeal. It would foster a larger and more connected community. It would also provide players with more flexibility and convenience. Will the developers deliver? Time will tell.
The game’s long-term success hinges on community engagement. Bungie must continue to listen to feedback, address concerns, and support the game with regular updates and content drops. If the team can maintain this momentum, Marathon could be a force to be reckoned with in the extraction shooter market. But if it stumbles, the pre-order buzz will quickly fade. Can Marathon stick the landing?