Bungie's Marathon and Embark Studio's ARC Raiders, both slated for a 2025 release (though Marathon has a September 23rd date, ARC Raiders does not), have received vastly different reactions following their respective alpha tests. While ARC Raiders garnered largely positive feedback, Marathon's reception has been mixed at best.

Why the disparity? ARC Raiders, a more traditional extraction shooter akin to Tarkov, boasts greater accessibility and superior visuals (expected for a 2025 release). Its post-apocalyptic setting, featuring scavenging, combat against robots and other players, and the core gameplay loop of gathering resources and extracting, resonates with the genre's conventions. Customizable characters, crafting, proximity chat, and a home base further enhance the experience. Impressive visuals and sound design contribute to its positive reception.

Marathon, in its attempt at originality, deviates significantly from established extraction shooter norms. This departure, however, hasn't necessarily translated into a unique and appealing experience. The removal of features valued by hardcore extraction players, coupled with a potentially less accessible design, may account for the lukewarm response. The absence of custom characters, proximity chat, crafting, and solo play at launch (unlike ARC Raiders) further contributes to this. Bungie's assurances of future implementation are not particularly reassuring.

The result is a blend of traditional extraction elements (slow looting, stamina limitations) and fast-paced, Apex-style combat, creating an uncomfortable juxtaposition. The Marathon alpha feels less polished and feature-incomplete compared to ARC Raiders', despite both being closed alphas. This discrepancy is particularly striking given Marathon's imminent release (six months away) and ARC Raiders' potential delay into 2026.

The contrasting reception is further amplified by differing expectations. Marathon, a six-year project, is positioned as Sony's flagship live-service title following a series of setbacks. As a new IP from Bungie, the creators of Halo and Destiny, it carries immense weight.

Embark, ARC Raiders' developer, employs a similar number of developers (around 300) as Marathon, yet a portion of their team manages The Finals, another multiplayer game with a sustained player base.

The contrasting reactions to the alphas don't definitively predict the success or failure of either game. However, the current situation undeniably paints a more favorable picture for ARC Raiders.

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