The revival of Marathon has taken a curious turn as the franchise shifts from its roots in single-player gameplay to embrace the multiplayer extraction shooter model. Unlike its predecessors, the new Marathon won’t have personalized story missions or cutscenes. Instead, players will uncover snippets of lore scattered throughout the game, creating a tapestry of narrative as they progress.
Bungie’s challenge will be to effectively convey Marathon’s rich lore without a traditional single-player campaign. Given their extensive experience with Destiny, Bungie has demonstrated a knack for subtle storytelling, weaving intricate narratives into their games. If the cinematic trailers are any indication, Marathon has the potential to redefine storytelling within the extraction shooter genre.
Historically, extraction games and battle royales haven’t been known for robust narratives. Take Tarkov, for example—it prioritizes gameplay mechanics, while Hunt: Showdown uses its bayou setting to add atmospheric depth. Fortnite, with its myriad of crossovers, focuses on playful integrations more than storytelling. In contrast, Bungie’s track record with rich lore, as seen in Halo and Destiny, sets it apart, showing their ability to create compelling, story-driven worlds.
Marathon could utilize Destiny’s storytelling style, where lore seeds events that unfold in epic narratives years down the line. This approach could very well be Marathon’s secret to success, innovating within the extraction shooter genre with deep narrative roots from its past.
A standout feature is the cinematic short directed by Alberto Mielgo, known for his work on Love, Death & Robots, which has already reignited interest in Marathon’s lore. If such creativity permeates the game’s narrative, it could foster significant excitement and engagement.
Bungie has excelled with community-driven storytelling, using in-game mysteries and puzzles to unite players in collaborative efforts. Instances like the Corridors of Time puzzle in Destiny have been masterful in engaging the community, and similar strategies could be employed in Marathon to unravel bigger mysteries hidden within the gaming map.
Content creators specializing in game lore have historically played a crucial role in elevating the narrative elements of games like Destiny, helping players to delve deeper into unseen worlds. Bungie hopes such a community will emerge around Marathon, maintaining player interest even during lulls in gameplay by continuously exploring the evolving lore.
In its journey from Halo to Destiny, Bungie refined its narrative skills, turning perceived weaknesses into strengths as seen in memorable expansions such as Forsaken. If they apply these lessons, Marathon may surprise even those skeptical of extraction shooters, drawing them in with a gripping story crafted by one of the industry’s storytelling legends.
