Classic Marathon

About

"Classic Marathon" is a 1994 first-person shooter where you defend a colony ship from alien forces. Maintained by fans, it offers modern enhancements like widescreen HD, 3D filtering, and positional audio, all powered by the open-source Aleph One engine under GPL Version 3. Experience a piece of gaming history with improved features.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,280 reviews

story108 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

A beloved classic, now available for free on modern systems, making it a must-have in your library.
The game features a rich and engaging story, with deep lore and character development that enhances the overall experience.
Innovative gameplay mechanics for its time, such as vertical aiming, dual-wielding weapons, and a unique health system.

The level design can be frustratingly maze-like, often leading to confusion and requiring extensive backtracking.
Limited save points and health stations can lead to significant frustration, especially for new players unfamiliar with the game.
The controls and gameplay feel dated, with some mechanics that may not hold up well to modern standards.

story
342 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
66%
2%
The story of Marathon is widely praised for its ambitious and complex narrative, delivered primarily through text terminals scattered throughout the game. While some players find the storytelling method dated and the level design frustrating, many appreciate the depth and atmosphere it creates, drawing comparisons to Bungie's later works like Halo. Overall, Marathon is recognized as a pioneering title in the FPS genre for integrating a rich storyline with gameplay, making it a significant experience for those willing to engage with its lore.
- “The storytelling was far ahead of its time and this game is not only a precursor to Halo but also feels like a precursor to Half-Life, whether that was intentional on Valve's part or not.”
- “The story is rich and nuanced.”
- “Marathon is unlike anything else, the story is ahead of its time and spans a trilogy of games.”
- “The marathon trilogy is frustratingly dated as a game, or more to the point frustratingly lo-fi, limited jarringly in its production value as a story told with effectively the same storytelling toolkit as Doom, and it's also tonally and conceptually the most fascinating video game series I've ever played, centered around a radical metaphor of self-discovery which I say without exaggeration would define who I am.”
- “The text and image-based delivery of the game's storyline feels dated and clunky, but if you can get by the technology-limited delivery system, there is actually a lot going for it.”
- “It explains its story purely through text-based terminals and limited environmental storytelling which was fine for 1994 but, not to sound like your grandparents, doesn't work well for kids these days.”
gameplay
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
74%
9%
The gameplay of Marathon is characterized by its classic first-person shooter mechanics, including free mouselook and dual-wielding, which were innovative for its time. However, players often find the maze-like level design and switch puzzles frustrating, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel tedious and confusing. While it offers a nostalgic charm and a rich narrative, many reviewers suggest that its gameplay has aged poorly compared to contemporaries like Doom and Quake, making it a mixed experience for modern players.
- “With upgraded visuals, cooperative gameplay, and a story-driven campaign, it’s a nostalgic experience that brings modern tweaks to a genre pioneer.”
- “Its captivating narrative, innovative gameplay, and faithful preservation of its original spirit make it a shining example of how a classic game can be successfully revived for a new generation of players.”
- “The original Marathon is a good blend of classic FPS gameplay and rich narrative told through text terminals, which are placed throughout different missions.”
- “Typical gameplay loop of wandering around a maze for minutes on end, hit this switch, wonder what the hell it did, wander for another minute until you find the door on the other side of the map that it opened with no indication at all.”
- “I was going to record a full video gameplay review of this, but after being stuck on level 4 for over an hour because of a broken switch puzzle, I had enough and uninstalled this.”
- “There's a reason Marathon isn't talked about much, and it's mostly due to some annoying switch/elevator puzzles and gameplay that doesn't do anything super unique.”
music
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
46%
5%
The music in the game is often described as atmospheric and moody, effectively enhancing the overall experience with its ambient tracks that evoke a sense of isolation and tension. While some players find the soundtrack memorable and fitting for the game's dark aesthetic, others note that it lacks distinctiveness and can be quiet at times. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness and the absence of more dynamic compositions.
- “Adding onto that, the music is very restrained and moody; it gives you the feeling of a dark abandoned ship, while having tracks that are higher energy for levels with more combat.”
- “The narrative is engaging and the music truly gives a science fiction vibe, enhancing the overall gaming experience.”
- “Incredibly atmospheric soundtrack, dark and ominous visuals, and a story with unprecedented complexity for its time.”
- “The soundtrack is composed of mostly slow, ambient tracks, which certainly sets a particular mood that most FPS games to this day don't attempt.”
- “Movement feels slow because of the slow acceleration, the gunplay is unsatisfying, there's little enemy variety, and there's no music.”
- “The game feels crude as the music is absent, and the level design is claustrophobic (and confusing) which looks like it didn't undergo any redesign at all to polish the gameplay.”
graphics
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
74%
11%
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, with many reviewers noting that they resemble low-budget FPS titles from the 90s, yet some appreciate the nostalgic charm and unique aesthetic. While the visuals may not impress modern players, the game compensates with a strong atmosphere, engaging storytelling, and various options to tweak graphics settings for a more personalized experience. Overall, the graphics are a mixed bag, appealing to those who value gameplay and narrative over visual fidelity.
- “There's a lot of levels with such a unique aesthetic atmosphere and music; the game is also very fun and a rewarding challenge.”
- “With upgraded visuals, cooperative gameplay, and a story-driven campaign, it’s a nostalgic experience that brings modern tweaks to a genre pioneer.”
- “A mighty fine FPS game with an intriguing story, a gameplay style emphasizing survival, and visually appealing graphics.”
- “The graphics are fine - the cheap 3D rendered graphics feel plasticky and remind me of low-budget FPS shareware games you had on PC for years and certainly didn't impress me.”
- “The textures on the walls also looked very weird and random at times, so the graphics design team was certainly not the best.”
- “The movement feels really clunky, the level design is confusing, and the graphics are ugly even for its time.”
atmosphere
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
36%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack and unique storytelling through terminals. While the labyrinthine level design can be challenging to navigate, the dark visuals and sound design contribute to a captivating sci-fi experience that stands out, especially when compared to contemporaries like Doom. Despite some dated graphics, the game's atmospheric depth and narrative complexity continue to resonate with players, making it a notable entry in the genre.
- “Incredibly atmospheric soundtrack, dark and ominous visuals, and a story with unprecedented complexity for its time.”
- “At the same time it can be very captivating with the atmosphere of the Marathon's darkened maze of abstract halls, its amazing soundtrack, the satisfaction of its gunplay, and the surprising depth of its story for a mid-90s shooter.”
- “Basically, in terms of atmosphere, this game has none.”
- “Even at its most frustrating, the atmosphere in Marathon is impeccable, in large part due to its incredible soundtrack.”
- “The dark lighting enhances the atmosphere the game has; enemies can get the jump on you, and at many points throughout the game they're scripted to ambush you.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the witty and often self-deprecating dialogue of the AI character Durandal, whose antics and terminal messages provide a comedic contrast to the game's serious narrative. Players appreciate the absurdity of certain game elements, such as the humorous weapon modifications and the ironic portrayal of alien ships feeling less alien than human environments. Overall, the game's blend of humor and sci-fi storytelling has left a lasting impact on players, influencing their tastes and sense of humor.
- “Durandal can be hilarious, and I was always looking forward to reading his terminals after rampaging through the Marathon or the Pfhor ship.”
- “Sometimes talks to himself, saying 'they're everywhere!' and then starts laughing.”
- “This was one of the few games at the time where you could edit the models and physics, which led to hilarious weapons that shot fists or had funny reload animations.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of "Colony Ship for Sale, Cheap" is characterized by frustrating and tedious platform-raising puzzles that lack clear mechanics, leading to a repetitive cycle of running between switch rooms to adjust platform heights. While the game has its merits, the overwhelming difficulty and confusion can detract from the overall experience, making exploration feel discouraged.
- “The platform-raising puzzles in this level are infuriating; the mechanics of the platform-raising switches aren't explained, and if/when you finally work it out, the tedious task of running around the level to the three different switch rooms to fine-tune all the different platform heights begins.”
- “It's a decent game in some aspects, but often quite difficult, frustrating, and additionally very confusing and/or tedious, especially when working out the 'colony ship for sale' switch puzzles for the first time.”
- “Puzzles can be tedious, and while the gimmick of the 'colony ship for sale' is as tedious as everyone memes it to be, it discourages the exploration the game clearly wants you to partake in.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's stability is generally solid on current hardware, with smooth performance noted, though some users report glitches in the OpenGL renderer on certain levels. However, there is a lack of moderation and quality of life improvements, which may affect the overall experience.
- “It runs great on current hardware with very few to no moderation or quality of life improvements out of the box, trying to keep with the original game's aesthetics and feel.”
- “Planetoid-sized colony ship, slightly worn, runs great.”
- “The OpenGL renderer has a few glitches in some levels.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
50%
33%
Reviews highlight that community-created content, particularly in the Doom modding scene, significantly enhances replayability, keeping the game fresh over decades. However, there are concerns regarding newer titles, like extraction shooters, which may focus more on short-term engagement rather than fostering long-term replay value. Players are encouraged to explore tips that can enhance their gameplay experience.
- “The Doom modding scene has been around since its inception, and 30 years of community-made content has a profound effect on replayability while keeping that game fresh in my eyes.”
- “It's understandable to be apprehensive about the new extraction shooter, given the recent trend towards games that prioritize short-term thrills over long-term replayability.”
- “The doom modding scene has been around since its inception and 30 years of community-made content has a profound effect on replayability while keeping that game fresh in my eyes.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game features a fully modern source port that is optimized for contemporary systems, rather than simply being an old program run on an emulator. This ensures improved performance and a better overall experience for players.
- “Not just the old program put up on an emulator either, this is a full modern source port optimized for the current day.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional impact of the game is overwhelmingly negative for some players, with multiple users reporting feelings of illness and distress, leading them to advise against playing it.