Classic Marathon 2

About

"Classic Marathon 2" is a 1995 first-person shooter where players, controlling a human, are tasked by a rogue AI to explore an ancient civilization's ruins and uncover their long-lost secrets. The game utilizes the Aleph One engine and offers modern enhancements like widescreen HUD, 3D filtering, and positional audio while preserving the original's authenticity. This fan-maintained experience, available on Steam, is governed by the GNU General Public License Version 3.

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Play Modes

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 362 reviews

story32 positive mentions

music10 negative mentions

Marathon 2 is a significant improvement over the original, featuring better level design, engaging gameplay, and a captivating story that keeps players invested.
The game offers a unique experience with its dual-wielding shotguns and underwater traversal mechanics, providing a fresh take on the FPS genre.
It's a free game that delivers nostalgic value and is considered one of the best shooters of the 90s, making it a must-try for fans of classic FPS games.

The absence of an in-game soundtrack and reliance on ambient sounds can make the experience feel lacking and monotonous.
Players often find the save system frustrating, as they can only save at specific terminals scattered throughout the levels, leading to potential loss of progress.
Some level designs, particularly those involving water, can be confusing and tedious, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

story
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The story of "Marathon 2" is widely praised for its rich lore and engaging sci-fi narrative, which is delivered through in-game terminals and immersive gameplay elements. Reviewers highlight its complexity and depth, noting that it stands out among 90s first-person shooters for its well-crafted plot and character development, particularly through the character of Durandal. While some find the linearity and reliance on text cumbersome, many agree that the storytelling enhances the overall experience, making it a memorable and innovative title for its time.
- “Whereas lesser games rely on cryptic storytelling to immerse you into their world, Marathon 2 will instead drown you in its rich lore and action-packed story by immersing you face-first into the underwater mazes of the hostile swampmen population, and the only way out is through your fists.”
- “Many people, myself included, feel that Marathon 2 has the best campaign out of the Marathon trilogy; there's an excellent story, varied level objectives, fun combat, and an interesting setting (you're exploring the ruins of an alien civilization).”
- “Easily one of the best FPS classics of all time with an amazing story.”
- “But the story is pieced through terminals, and unless you're extensively hitting all of those, you're probably going to miss it.”
- “I hope you like reading though, because most of the storyline is delivered via text from in-game computer terminals.”
- “Granted, it can still present a high barrier to entry due to its difficulty, lack of hand-holding, and a deeply intricate storyline.”
music
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
68%
18%
The game is criticized for its lack of an official in-game soundtrack, relying instead on ambient sound effects, which many players find disappointing. While there is a notable title theme, the absence of music during gameplay detracts from the overall experience; however, players can enhance their experience by installing fan-made soundtrack mods from the Steam Workshop. Despite the music shortcomings, some players suggest using personal playlists to fill the void.
- “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!”
- “What this mod can't replace, however, is the one official song made for Marathon 2, which is absolute fire!”
- “Put on some 90s techno tracks or whatever works for you (Unreal Tournament 99's OST fits surprisingly well) and frog blast the vent core!”
- “The aspect where it finds itself lacking is on the absence of an official soundtrack during levels, with sound effects from the environment playing in the background instead.”
- “The only area in which Marathon 2 is worse is the music because aside from the sick title theme, there isn't any music, only ambient sound.”
- “My main complaint would be the lack of a soundtrack; it has a banger of a title theme but no music in-game.”
gameplay
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
47%
10%
The gameplay in Marathon 2 is generally praised for its smoothness and improved graphics, offering a more colorful and polished experience compared to its predecessor. While the core mechanics remain similar, the level design introduces new challenges, including unique swimming mechanics, though some players find certain gameplay elements have aged poorly. Overall, the game demands precision and strategy, making it rewarding for those willing to engage with its intricate systems, despite some frustrations with outdated design choices.
- “The gameplay is still fun and the satisfaction from splattering Pfhor with an assault rifle is as good as anything since.”
- “The devs made sure that even though this release is using an upgraded game engine that can run on modern systems, the gameplay is still true to the original.”
- “It demands precision, strategy, and a willingness to learn its intricate mechanics.”
- “Levels are mostly straightforward, but you'll need to master the very weird swimming 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.”
graphics
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
80%
10%
The graphics have been enhanced to resemble an Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) game, with some players appreciating the improved visuals while others find them merely passable. The game offers an optional XBLA graphics pack, allowing players to choose between the new and original aesthetics, though some users recommend tweaking settings for optimal performance. Overall, the art style and atmosphere are praised, contributing to an immersive experience despite some criticisms regarding dark moments and the need for adjustments.
- “The improved graphics enhance the already stunning visuals, while the enhanced controls make the gameplay feel smoother and more responsive.”
- “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.”
- “Oldie but despite the aged graphics and some of the gameplay, it still kicks ass compared to some modern games.”
- “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.”
- “The whole aesthetic wipes my ass.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The atmosphere in the game is described as both immersive and unforgettable, largely due to its art style, sound design, and detailed environments that effectively transport players to the alien world of Tau Ceti. However, some reviews note that while the technical aspects and combat have improved in sequels like Marathon 2, they lack the moody and tense atmosphere that characterized the original game, particularly in Durandal. Overall, the atmosphere remains a strong point, though it varies in intensity across different titles.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The game's atmosphere is unforgettable, making you feel completely immersed in its world.”
- “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.”
- “This isn't a critique of the layouts; those are fine, but rather a critique of atmosphere.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding in the game to be less tedious compared to previous titles, with a more engaging story and expansive levels. However, some still note that certain sections, particularly water levels, can feel monotonous. Overall, the experience is enhanced by new voice lines and satisfying gameplay elements.
- “The levels are more expansive, though I did find them more tedious due to the water levels.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The game features a blend of first-person shooting mechanics and a plot that incorporates intentional humor, providing players with amusing moments throughout the experience.
- “It is a first-person shooter with a plot and intentional funny moments.”
- “The humor in the game adds a unique twist to the gameplay experience.”
- “I love how the game balances intense action with hilarious dialogue and situations.”