Marauder

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 388 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Marauder Game Cover
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Marauder is a single-player tactical RPG, based on the book of the same name, set in a chaotic alternate history. As a marauder, gather a "family", arm them, and survive in this unforgiving world while exploring a small Uralian town. The game features a full-blown RPG system, intriguing story, and character dialogues written by the author, but note that it has several bugs.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 388 reviews
story52 positive mentions
stability42 negative mentions
  • Engaging and unique tactical gameplay that combines real-time and pause mechanics, reminiscent of classic titles like Jagged Alliance.
  • Interesting story and character development, set in a gritty post-apocalyptic Russia, providing a fresh perspective.
  • Satisfying combat mechanics with a variety of weapons and tactical options, rewarding players for strategic planning.
  • Severe camera control issues and clunky interface that hinder gameplay, making it frustrating to navigate and control characters.
  • Numerous bugs and glitches, including freezing cutscenes and crashes, which detract from the overall experience.
  • Poor localization and translation errors that can lead to confusion and detract from the narrative immersion.
  • story204 mentions

    The story of *Marauder* is a linear narrative based on a Russian bestseller, featuring a grim and chaotic setting where players navigate societal collapse and personal struggles. While the plot is engaging and offers unique character studies, it suffers from technical issues such as glitchy cutscenes and incomplete storylines, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, many players find the story compelling enough to keep them invested throughout the gameplay.

    • “The story, based on the same-named novel by Russian writer Berkem Al Atomi, keeps you hooked for about 30 hours and is pretty unique.”
    • “Its bleak story, harsh setting, high difficulty, and complex combat are a sure treat to cold-blooded tactical enthusiasts.”
    • “The tactics are deep, the gameplay is challenging while still being beatable, and the story is interesting and amusing enough to make you want to stick with it.”
    • “The premise and story, littered with grim components throughout, is fairly simple and probably better told in the actual book on which Marauder is based, which I haven't read.”
    • “I can't think of a single redeeming point about this game; aside from the fact that this was based on a book by Berkem Al Atomi which has an interesting and atmospheric rich story, but this is not good enough to warrant a purchase.”
    • “What really pissed me off is that the fancy story cutscenes always freeze on modern systems.”
  • gameplay92 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its complex and unforgiving mechanics, offering a deep tactical experience reminiscent of classic strategy games. While the combat and gun mechanics are praised for their realism and depth, players also note significant technical flaws, including a clunky user interface and numerous bugs that can detract from the overall experience. Mastery of the gameplay is essential for enjoyment, as it can be challenging and frustrating at first, but many find it rewarding once they adapt.

    • “Great combat tactical game with many unique mechanics you don't see often in strategies, full-fledged tactics (unlike modern castrated variants), a wide choice of guns, mods and equipment, an interesting story based on a Russian book bestseller with the same name.”
    • “The tactics are deep, the gameplay is challenging while still being beatable, and the story is interesting and amusing enough to make you want to stick with it.”
    • “Good gameplay, brutal combat, good ballistics, etc. fantastic game, well worth the price.”
    • “Somewhere deep inside there is an interesting concept in this game, but it is wrapped in so many layers of tedious and buggy game mechanics that playing this feels like diving for pearls in a septic tank.”
    • “It's buggy, clunky, and downright frustrating due to the game's mechanics/imbalances, poorly designed user interface, and controls.”
    • “This game has the worst, most clunky, hard-to-move camera I have ever seen in any game I have played. Controls and combat are very hard due to poor response times, and the laggy intro makes it worse. This game looks like it could have been great if the camera controls and bugs were fixed, but I'm sorry, this game isn't worth $5.”
  • graphics50 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated and functional, with some players noting a resemblance to titles like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. While there are details appreciated, such as character gear and weapon attachments, many reviews highlight issues like poor UI design, clunky controls, and a lack of modern graphical fidelity. Overall, the visuals are seen as a mixed bag, with some enjoying the atmosphere while others find them unremarkable or even frustrating.

    • “But the graphics hold up well, and the gunplay and tactics are excellent.”
    • “Will particularly appreciate the atmosphere and visuals.”
    • “The graphics are dated, but good enough for me, and I like the small details like different gear changing the character's appearance and the guns actually showing their attachments like scopes, lasers, and silencers in the game.”
    • “The graphics are amusingly bad.”
    • “Graphics are pathetic and outdated; it doesn't even work in 16:9.”
    • “The game could be good if it had less bugs, a decent camera (it sucks so hard I stopped playing after 1 hour); better graphics would be appreciated: it's not 2000 anymore...”
  • stability42 mentions

    The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs, glitches, and overall lack of polish, leading to a frustrating experience for many players. Despite its intriguing concepts and satisfying combat mechanics, the technical issues significantly detract from gameplay, making it feel unfinished and clunky. Players are advised to save frequently to mitigate the impact of critical bugs on their progress.

    • “However, sometimes this game can really make you frustrated and furious because it's old, buggy, and glitchy, so I'd say save your game as much as possible to avoid situations when a critical bug or glitch ruins your walkthrough.”
    • “It's a shame that such a game with high potential is so buggy and unergonomic.”
    • “It's buggy, clunky, and downright frustrating due to the game's mechanics, imbalances, poorly designed user interface, and controls.”
  • atmosphere28 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive, post-apocalyptic, and bleakly atmospheric setting, reminiscent of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and strong voice acting. However, many players note that the experience is marred by bugs and design issues, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these flaws, those who appreciate tactical gameplay and RPG elements may still find the atmosphere compelling enough to warrant a playthrough.

    • “The game oozes stalker-ish gloomy Slav atmosphere.”
    • “Marauder’s combat perfectly reinforces its harsh atmosphere.”
    • “+ immersive world and creepy Eastern Bloc atmosphere.”
    • “The game oozes a stalker-ish gloomy Slavic atmosphere.”
    • “It's a bit rough around the edges, with some bugs here and there, and the English translation is not very good, but I've been enjoying Marauder's intense battles and bleak Russian post-apocalyptic atmosphere immensely.”
    • “Nothing from the atmosphere, the story, or the gameplay is that of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by social commentary and satire, though much of the original Russian wit is lost in a poor English translation, leading to unintentional hilarity. Players find charm in the quirky character interactions and absurd gameplay moments, such as exaggerated character physics, which can evoke laughter despite the game's shortcomings. However, those seeking a polished experience may find the humor frustrating rather than enjoyable.

    • “From the guys who join your little squad, to Akhmet's kind of dry humor, to the scale of the story.”
    • “This wasn't meant to be a pretty game, but it winds up being sort of funny because of it.”
    • “All in all, I love it. I think the story is solid, and it's kind of like the person who translated the Russian to English was using Google Translate, so I find the translations hilarious in what they really mean.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time without adequate rewards, such as XP farming. The experience is marred by numerous bugs, clunky controls, and awkward mechanics, making the grind feel more like a chore than an engaging part of gameplay. Despite these issues, some players appreciate the underlying concept and potential for rewarding gameplay if they can endure the frustrations.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Somewhere deep inside there is an interesting concept in this game, but it is wrapped in so many layers of tedious and buggy game mechanics that playing this feels like diving for pearls in a septic tank.”
    • “Unapologetically Russian, this title has all the hallmarks of the classic Eastern European school of game development: plenty of bugs, awkward English translation, very tedious looting, and clunky controls.”
    • “Despite its technical and gameplay flaws, such as the broken default camera settings (easily fixed by turning up sensitivity and move speed), tedious loot-gathering, and occasional glitches potentially spoiling the fun, Man of Prey (aka Marauder) offers a captivating, tense, and usually rewarding squad-based strategy experience for those willing to put up with its quirks.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, lacking support for modern gaming PCs and exhibiting numerous bugs that hinder gameplay. Players report problems such as unresponsive clips, a problematic camera, and nearly unplayable battles towards the end, indicating a need for substantial updates to improve performance. Despite these flaws, many still find the game enjoyable.

    • “Some of the battles towards the end are almost unplayable due to very poor optimization.”
    • “The game is very unoptimized and very buggy.”
    • “It's not optimized; some Russian text isn't translated, clips don't really play, and the camera is wonky.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game effectively enhances the atmosphere, capturing the tension of exploration and the intensity of combat within a post-apocalyptic setting. While the soundtrack is generally well-received for its ability to complement the storyline and gameplay, some players note that it can become repetitive over time, with one heavy metal track occasionally becoming grating. Overall, the music contributes positively to the immersive experience, despite minor criticisms.

    • “The soundtrack sets the tone well, enhancing the overall experience of the game.”
    • “The atmosphere is overall a bit post-apocalyptic and gloomy, but not depressing; the music unobtrusively complements it.”
    • “The music effectively supports the game's narrative and atmosphere, creating an immersive experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is overall a bit post-apocalyptic gloomy, but not depressing, just well fitting a random NPC's comment 'why is this country so f**ked up?' and the music unobtrusively complements it, although one 'heavy metal' battle track can begin to grate on you a bit.”
    • “Even if it will become repetitive eventually, the soundtrack managed to convey the atmosphere of marauder from the tense exploration and down to visceral fighting within Soviet-era ruins.”
    • “The storyline is a neat perspective not seen often by western audiences, the soundtrack sets the tone well, gunplay is satisfying once the player conquers the challenge of the interface itself, with simple but effective RPG elements carrying the game's progression well enough to be invested in your character's builds and weapon loadouts.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is overshadowed by its buggy performance and lackluster storyline, yet it has managed to resonate with a dedicated fanbase due to its intricate combat mechanics and visually appealing weapon designs.

  • replayability2 mentions

    Users express a desire for patches to improve gameplay, indicating that the game's potential for fun and replayability is currently hindered by technical issues. If these issues are resolved, there is optimism that the game could offer a more enjoyable and replayable experience.

    • “I hope they patch to fix this as the game looks like it would be a lot of fun if it were playable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

30hMedian play time
30hAverage play time
30-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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