Marauder

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 194 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 194 reviews
story26 positive mentions
stability21 negative mentions
  • Engaging and unique storyline set in a post-apocalyptic Russia, providing a fresh perspective.
  • Complex tactical gameplay with a real-time pause system that allows for strategic planning during combat.
  • Satisfying gunplay and a wide variety of weapons and customization options enhance the combat experience.
  • Severe camera control issues make navigation frustrating and can hinder gameplay.
  • Numerous bugs and glitches, including crashes and translation errors, detract from the overall experience.
  • The game is poorly optimized for modern systems, leading to performance issues and lag during gameplay.
  • story102 mentions

    The story of "Marauder" is a linear narrative based on a Russian bestseller, featuring a grim and engaging plot set in a chaotic post-Soviet world. Players follow the anti-hero Akhmet and his crew through a series of tactical missions, with the storyline praised for its unique perspective and character depth, despite some technical issues like glitchy cutscenes and a lack of polish. While the narrative captivates many, some players find it too short and feel that the execution could be improved, particularly in terms of clarity and direction.

    • “The story itself is also quite interesting.”
    • “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.”
    • “Add to this the unpretentious Russian storytelling, avoiding worn-out game clichés, and the main character being a cynical bearded man with cool comments, and the game turns out really enjoyable.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay46 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 weapon mechanics are praised for their realism and depth, players note significant technical flaws, including a clunky interface and numerous bugs that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, many find the gameplay rewarding and engaging once they master its intricacies.

    • “Great combat tactical game with many unique mechanics you don't see often in strategies, full-fledged tactics, a wide choice of guns, mods, and equipment, and 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.”
    • “The gameplay seemed promising at first, but the smart pause was kind of ridiculous, the enemy NPCs are poorly designed, and when I managed to get myself killed by gunfire, my character was thrown 6 feet straight up in the air just to slowly fall back down.”
  • graphics25 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated and unremarkable, with many users noting issues such as poor UI design and clunky controls. While some appreciate the attention to detail in character and weapon appearances, others criticize the overall visual quality, describing it as muddy or pathetic by modern standards. Despite these criticisms, a few players find the graphics functional enough to enjoy the gameplay experience, particularly in the context of squad-tactics games.

    • “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 dated for the year of release, but they have those realistic-ish textures in the same vein as S.T.A.L.K.E.R.”
    • “Graphics are pathetic and outdated; it doesn't even work in 16:9.”
    • “The graphics are amusingly bad.”
  • stability21 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs, glitches, and a clunky interface that frustrate players. Many users recommend saving frequently to avoid losing progress due to critical errors, and while some appreciate the underlying concepts and gameplay, the overall experience is marred by its technical shortcomings. Overall, the game's potential is overshadowed by its lack of polish and frequent performance problems.

    • “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 buggy, clunky, and downright frustrating due to the game's mechanics/imbalances, poorly designed user interface, and controls.”
    • “When you buy this game, there's something you should know: it's buggy and feels unfinished.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and gritty portrayal of a post-apocalyptic, Soviet-era setting, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and strong voice acting. While some players note that the atmosphere can become repetitive and is marred by bugs and design issues, those who appreciate tactical gameplay and RPG elements find the overall experience engaging and evocative. Despite its flaws, the game successfully captures a bleak yet compelling ambiance reminiscent of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series.

    • “Even if it will become repetitive eventually, the soundtrack managed to convey the atmosphere of marauder from the tense exploration down to visceral fighting within Soviet-era ruins.”
    • “The game oozes a stalker-ish gloomy Slavic atmosphere.”
    • “The game oozes stalker-ish gloomy Slav 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.”
    • “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.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by social commentary and satire, though it suffers from poor translation that often results in unintentionally funny moments. Players appreciate the dry wit of characters and find charm in the game's flaws, with some humorous gameplay glitches adding to the overall comedic experience. However, those seeking a polished narrative or gameplay may find the humor less appealing.

    • “From the guys who join your little squad, to Akhmet's kind of dry humor, to the scale of the story.”
    • “But I don't mind too much as it gives charm and can be funny at times.”
    • “This wasn't meant to be a pretty game, but it winds up being sort of funny because of it.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and frustrating, often requiring significant time investment without adequate rewards. The experience is marred by numerous bugs, awkward controls, and a cumbersome looting system, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging gameplay element. Despite these issues, some players appreciate the underlying strategy and tension, suggesting that perseverance may yield a rewarding experience.

    • “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.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, lacking support for modern gaming PCs and exhibiting numerous bugs, including translation errors and camera problems. Many players report that certain battles are nearly unplayable due to these performance shortcomings, detracting from an otherwise impressive experience.

    • “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.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game effectively enhances the atmosphere, capturing the tension of exploration and combat in a post-apocalyptic setting, though it may become repetitive over time. While the soundtrack complements the storyline and overall mood well, one heavy metal battle track can become grating. Overall, the music is described as fitting and atmospheric, contributing positively to the player's experience.

    • “The soundtrack sets the tone well, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The music unobtrusively complements the post-apocalyptic setting, creating a fitting backdrop for the storyline.”
    • “The atmosphere is overall a bit post-apocalyptic and gloomy, but the music adds depth without being overwhelming.”
    • “Even if it will become repetitive eventually, the soundtrack managed to convey the atmosphere of marauder from the tense exploration down to visceral fighting within Soviet-era ruins.”
    • “The atmosphere is overall a bit post-apocalyptic and gloomy, but not depressing. The music unobtrusively complements it, although one 'heavy metal' battle track can begin to grate on you a bit.”
    • “The soundtrack sets the tone well, but it can become repetitive and lacks variety, which detracts from the overall experience.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Despite its buggy nature and lackluster storyline, the game has resonated emotionally with a dedicated fanbase due to its intricate combat mechanics and visually appealing weapon designs, often referred to as "gun porn."

  • replayability1 mentions

    Users express concerns about the game's current playability, suggesting that its potential for fun and replayability is hindered by existing issues. Many hope for patches to enhance the experience and unlock its replay value.

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 2 analyzed playthroughs

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