Classic Marathon 2

About

Classic Marathon 2 is a single player and multiplayer action game. It was developed by Aleph One Developers and was released on July 12, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Fresh from your triumph on the colony ship Marathon, you are seized by the rogue AI Durandal to do his bidding in a distant part of the galaxy. Within the ruins of an ancient civilization, you must seek the remnants of a lost clan and uncover their long-buried secrets. Battle opponents ancient and terrible, with sophisticated weapons and devious strategies, all the while struggling to escape the a…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 257 reviews

story24 positive mentions

music10 negative mentions

Marathon 2: Durandal features improved level design and gameplay mechanics compared to its predecessor, making it more accessible and enjoyable.
The game offers a rich and engaging story, with well-crafted lore and character development, particularly through the AI Durandal's interactions.
It's free to play on Steam, making it an easy recommendation for fans of classic FPS games and those looking for a nostalgic experience.

The lack of an in-game soundtrack detracts from the overall atmosphere, leaving players with only ambient sounds during gameplay.
Some levels can be frustratingly designed, with confusing layouts and enemy placements that can lead to cheap deaths.
The swimming mechanics and underwater sections are poorly executed, often leading to tedious gameplay experiences.

music
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
67%
17%
The music in "Marathon 2" is largely criticized for its absence during gameplay, with players noting that only the main menu theme exists, leading to a lack of atmosphere and engagement. Many reviewers recommend using fan-made soundtracks, such as "Feel the Noise," to enhance the experience, as the game's reliance on ambient sounds fails to capture the immersive quality of its predecessor's score. Overall, the consensus is that the lack of an official soundtrack significantly detracts from the game's enjoyment.
- “I highly recommend the soundtrack by Talashar because the music feels like Marathon and it always gets me excited to play.”
- “To solve this, one can install a fan-made soundtrack from the Steam Workshop called 'Feel the Noise', made by Talashar, which is a pack of songs that fit nicely with the game's vibe!”
- “Great game, but there's no music so get a playlist ready.”
- “The music score is absent, so you're limited to listening to enemy sounds and machines humming.”
- “However, Marathon 2 lacks one thing that played a major part in the previous game: a soundtrack.”
- “Considering how big of a role the music played in Marathon 1, its absence is quite strange and results in a generally worse atmosphere.”
story
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and immersive storytelling, often compared to classic science fiction literature. Players appreciate the rich lore and well-crafted narrative, though some elements are delivered through cryptic in-game terminals, which can make it challenging to fully grasp without thorough exploration. Overall, the narrative is considered a standout feature, elevating the game above many contemporaries in the first-person shooter genre.
- “There's just such a mature and deep understanding of the medium and the tools at their disposal at play here in the service of an incredibly heady and ambitious story. You describe your own experience with the game and it sounds like reading off an excellent classic science fiction novel. Very few games can claim to be as well written and paced as this, with the momentum-based movement and the arsenal being taken to its absolute limit as the levels play out.”
- “A story woven into the fabric of existence itself, where mortals scurry about in desperate attempts to escape their fates.”
- “Easily one of the best FPS classics of all time with an amazing story.”
- “The story is wild — you’re pulled into Durandal’s schemes, exploring alien ruins and facing off against ancient and powerful foes.”
- “But the story is pieced through terminals, and unless you're extensively hitting all of those, you're probably going to miss it.”
- “Granted, it can still present a high barrier to entry due to its difficulty, lack of hand-holding, and a deeply intricate storyline.”
graphics
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
76%
14%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the improvements over the original, noting enhanced visual fidelity and a more polished art style. However, others criticize the visuals as mediocre or dated, pointing out glitches and inconsistencies that detract from the overall experience. While the game offers options for graphical enhancements, opinions vary on the aesthetic choices, with some preferring the original graphics over the updated versions.
- “The improved graphics enhance the already stunning visuals, while the enhanced controls make the gameplay feel smoother and more responsive.”
- “Edit: the artwork (loading pictures) aged like a fine wine.”
- “Visuals are a fair glow up from the first game.”
- “Visually, this has some fairly mediocre/dated looking graphics that will understandably be a turn off for a lot of gamers, and it's a big contributor to the failure of the game to attract gamers despite having no up-front cost.”
- “The graphics are just passable for me.”
- “Not the best visuals I've seen since I don't know very many games released that had visuals like that.”
gameplay
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
48%
11%
The gameplay in Marathon and Marathon 2: Durandal is characterized by its blend of straightforward run-and-gun mechanics with unique level designs and immersive storytelling, creating a memorable experience. While the second installment introduces some improvements in graphics and controls, it retains much of the original's gameplay elements, which may feel dated to some players. Overall, the gameplay is challenging and rewarding, demanding precision and strategy, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
- “Marathon and Marathon 2: Durandal both have extremely simple exteriors as a straightforward run-and-gun shooter, but it's how these gameplay elements are put together and weaved to create context that truly elevates this to one of the most unique and unforgettable experiences I've had in a long time.”
- “The gameplay is still fun, and the satisfaction from splattering Pfhor with an assault rifle is as good as anything since.”
- “Challenging and rewarding gameplay: Marathon 2 is not a game for the faint of heart. It demands precision, strategy, and a willingness to learn its intricate mechanics.”
- “I was kind of frustrated and annoyed by a lot of the gameplay design by the time I hit the final solo level, which isn't a good sign for the game.”
- “That being said, I strongly recommend that you make three quality of life adjustments before playing, because 'authenticity' does not equal 'ease of use,' and some gameplay elements that might have been acceptable in 1995 are not so forgivable today.”
- “Levels are mostly straightforward, but you'll need to master the very weird swimming mechanics.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The game's atmosphere is described as visually stunning and immersive, particularly highlighted by its art style and sound design that effectively transport players to the alien world of Tau Ceti. However, some reviews note a decline in atmospheric tension compared to the first installment, with criticisms aimed at the absence of music and a less moody environment in the sequel, despite improvements in gameplay mechanics. Overall, while the atmosphere is generally praised, it varies significantly between titles in the series.
- “The atmosphere of the game was fire and the game looks so beautiful.”
- “Unforgettable atmosphere: the game's art style, sound design, and meticulously crafted environments create a truly immersive atmosphere, transporting you to the alien world of Tau Ceti.”
- “Unforgettable atmosphere: the game's art style, sound design, and meticulously crafted environments create a truly immersive atmosphere, transporting you to the alien world of Tau Ceti.”
- “Considering how big of a role the music played in Marathon 1, its absence is quite strange and results in a generally worse atmosphere.”
- “Durandal does not have the same moody and tense atmosphere that the first game nails.”
- “It has the better combat, thanks to the more open level design and addition of a great new gun, but is lacking in the atmosphere and winding story.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally seen as an improvement over its predecessor, with the character Durandal becoming funnier as the game progresses. Players appreciate the amusing enemy designs and intentional comedic moments, contributing to an overall entertaining experience in this first-person shooter.
- “The enemies were of pretty cool design, and I thought the bobs were very funny.”
- “It is a first-person shooter with something of a plot and intentional funny moments.”
- “Funny game, predecessor of Master Keef.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of Classic Marathon 2 to be somewhat repetitive and tedious during extended play sessions, though it remains enjoyable in shorter bursts. While the game features engaging elements like a compelling story and expansive levels, certain sections, particularly the water levels, can feel monotonous. Overall, the grinding is manageable but can detract from the experience if overindulged.
- “Classic Marathon 2 overall is a fun game to play, yet sometimes repetitive and it does get boring and tedious if played for a long time, but it's a good FPS game to play in short bursts.”
- “The levels are more expansive, though I did find them more tedious due to the water levels.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features appealing graphics, but users have reported occasional glitches that affect overall stability. Despite these issues, the experience remains enjoyable.
- “The game offers some good graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”