Classic Marathon

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 640 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
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Alien forces have boarded the colony ship UESC Marathon in the Tau Ceti system, in orbit around humanity’s first interstellar colony. The situation is dire, and as a security officer assigned to the Marathon, your duty is to defend the ship and its crew from the alien threat. This classic 1994 Bungie™ FPS had a foundational influence on the genre, and is now maintained by the fan community. Exper…

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Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 640 reviews
story54 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • A beloved classic, now available for free on modern systems, making it a must-have in your library.
  • The game features an intriguing plot and well-written lore, which adds depth to the gameplay experience.
  • The nostalgic value and innovative mechanics, such as vertical aiming and dual-wielding, make it a significant title in FPS history.
  • The level design can be frustratingly maze-like, often leading to confusion and backtracking.
  • Limited save points and health stations can lead to tedious gameplay, especially in challenging levels.
  • The controls and mechanics feel dated, which may deter new players unfamiliar with older FPS games.
  • story171 mentions

    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, noting its significant influence on later titles like Halo. Overall, Marathon is recognized as a pioneering title in the FPS genre for integrating a rich storyline with gameplay, making it a compelling experience for those willing to engage with its lore.

    • “The story is rich and nuanced.”
    • “This game was very much ahead of its time with a story that progressively turns more and more insane throughout the trilogy.”
    • “A game that both innovated in its time with mechanics like free look and told a complex, lore-rich sci-fi story that would go on to inspire many of the themes present in Bungie's Halo series.”
    • “Ambitious in scope and with some good ideas in its plot and setting, but it has aged poorly and mostly consists of aimlessly wandering around and plenty of drudgery.”
    • “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.”
    • “The text and image-based delivery of the game's storyline feels dated and clunky, but if you can get past the technology-limited delivery system, there is actually a lot going for it.”
  • gameplay69 mentions

    The gameplay of Marathon is characterized by its maze-like level design and a mix of innovative mechanics for its time, such as free mouselook and dual-wielding, which have influenced later titles like Halo. However, many players find the gameplay frustrating due to unclear objectives, tedious puzzles, and outdated mechanics, leading to a mixed reception where nostalgia and story depth often overshadow gameplay shortcomings. Overall, while it offers a unique experience with a rich narrative, the gameplay can feel cumbersome and less refined compared to modern standards.

    • “With upgraded visuals, cooperative gameplay, and a story-driven campaign, it’s a nostalgic experience that brings modern tweaks to a genre pioneer.”
    • “The gameplay overall feels very similar to anyone who's ever played the original Doom, just with the added bonus of having the Y-axis.”
    • “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 gameplay isn't inherently bad, but the level design comprises overly long mazes, with some levels like 'Colony Ship for Sale, Cheap' being notorious time sinks.”
    • “Repetitive, poor level design (including some terrible switch puzzles) and clunky gameplay.”
    • “Game is typical Bungie proto-Halo garbage, with tons of twisty, indistinct passages, confusing layouts, boring weapons, unimaginative enemies, and poor controls and gameplay in a game that cared much more about story and 'the experience' than actual fun.”
  • music39 mentions

    The music in the game is often described as atmospheric and moody, effectively enhancing the overall experience with its ambient and sometimes high-energy tracks that suit various gameplay scenarios. While many players appreciate the unique aesthetic and immersive qualities of the soundtrack, some find it lacking in memorability and volume. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's dark and claustrophobic atmosphere, though opinions vary on its impact and quality.

    • “The music is very restrained and moody, giving you the feeling of a dark abandoned ship, while having higher energy tracks for levels with more combat.”
    • “The soundtrack is composed of mostly slow, ambient tracks, which sets a particular mood that most FPS games to this day don't attempt.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Though it's an action game, it feels more like a horror game what with the lack of lighting in most areas, the desolate soundtrack in most levels and the fact you can't save anywhere at any time.”
  • graphics38 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated, reflecting its 1994 origins, with many users noting a plasticky feel and low-budget aesthetic reminiscent of early FPS titles. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and atmospheric design, others find the visuals unappealing and lacking in modern polish. Overall, the game offers various graphics options to enhance the experience, but it remains faithful to its original look, which may not impress contemporary players.

    • “There's a lot of levels with such a unique aesthetic atmosphere and music; the game is also very fun and 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.”
    • “The story and artwork were phenomenal, and had depth, something uncommon for first-person shooters of the time.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere32 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique aesthetic, dark lighting, and immersive sound design, which together create a captivating and eerie experience. Reviewers highlight the effective storytelling conveyed through terminals and the labyrinthine level design, although some note that navigation can be challenging. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its greatest strength, offering a rich and engaging backdrop that enhances both gameplay and narrative.

    • “The atmosphere is great!”
    • “Incredibly atmospheric soundtrack, dark and ominous visuals, and a story with unprecedented complexity for its time.”
    • “Dark levels lend atmosphere to the quiet decks of your ship as you unravel the mysteries of Marathon.”
    • “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.”
    • “It has a certain atmosphere that I've still never seen another game replicate the feel of; it is immersive, eerie, and reflective.”
  • humor8 mentions

    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 juxtaposition of alien and human environments, and the ability to create humorous modifications, which enhance the overall experience. The developers' playful engagement with players' struggles adds an extra layer of humor, making the game both entertaining and memorable.

    • “Pretty darn good gunplay, level design that can go from excellent to rather questionable. Narrative-wise, it has an intriguing story, and this franchise might have created my favorite 'rampant AI' character. Durandal can be hilarious, and I was always looking forward to reading his terminals after rampaging through the Marathon or the Pfhor ship.”
    • “The game devs are laughing at you and your misery, so put away your pride and pull out the map; don't let them win.”
    • “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 amusing reload animations.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of "Colony Ship for Sale, Cheap" to be frustrating and tedious, particularly due to poorly explained platform-raising puzzles that require repetitive backtracking to adjust switches. While the game has its merits, the mechanics can lead to confusion and a discouraging experience that detracts from the intended exploration.

    • “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 occasionally very confusing and tedious, such as working out the 'colony ship for sale' switch puzzles for the first time.”
    • “Puzzles can be tedious, and while the gimmick is memorable, it makes the game rather tedious at times and discourages the exploration it so clearly wants you to partake in.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally good on current hardware, with smooth performance reported. However, some users have noted glitches in the OpenGL renderer on certain levels, indicating a need for moderation and quality of life improvements to enhance the 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.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experienced constant frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Reviews highlight that the game's replayability is significantly enhanced by a rich history of community-created content, particularly in the doom modding scene, which has evolved over 30 years. Additionally, players are encouraged to explore tips that can improve gameplay experience, though there are concerns about newer titles prioritizing short-term engagement over lasting replay value.

    • “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.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game features a fully modern source port that has been optimized for contemporary systems, rather than simply being an old program run on an emulator.

    • “Not just the old program put up on an emulator either, this is a full modern source port optimized for the current day.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional impact of the game is polarizing, with some players reporting feelings of illness and distress, leading them to advise against playing it.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Negative mentions (%)Negative

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