For over a year now,Helldivers 2has been one of the reigning champions of online multiplayer games. Despite its Sony exclusivity,Helldivers 2has amassed strong player numbers, showcasing what a strong live-service experience looks like. While multiplayer gameplay and a third-person perspective mainly defineHelldivers 2, the game boasts a blend of genres that makes it that much more of a unique experience.
Although not officially an extraction shooter,Helldivers 2has some strong extraction-inspired elements in its gameplay. Dropping into a map, completing goals, and gaining loot before the match is over is very extraction-like.Helldivers 2may only have an inkling of extraction gameplay, but Bungie’s upcoming titleMarathonis a full-blown extraction shooter. The two may not share much in common on the surface, but ifMarathonhas worthwhile gameplay, it could present a fun challenge forHelldivers 2players.
Helldivers 2 Lacks a Key Feature in Extraction Shooters, While Marathon Seems to Fully Embrace its Label
Dominate the Match, or Lose Everything
As a Runner,Marathonplayers are tasked with battling in matches on the mysterious Tau Ceti IV. According to the game’s Steam page, “Work together in crews of three as you battle rival teams and hostile security forces for weapons and upgrades. Survive and your loot is yours to keep for future runs on Tau Ceti.” What keepsHelldivers 2from being an extraction shooter is the fact that if players lose a match, they don’t leave the battlefield empty-handed.Marathon, on the other hand, takes a more brutal approach, which could prove to be attractive forHelldivers 2fanslooking for something more high-stakes.
Reaching the same heights thatHelldivers 2did at launch is no easy task, though.Marathonhas been highly anticipated since its announcement, but there has been growing suspicion about whether the game is ready for a 2025 release or not. After its Closed Alpha, many of the participants took to social media to express concerns, with severalclaiming thatMarathonshould be delayed. Following the first day of the Closed Alpha, Steam stats revealed a sharp decrease in players, which could be a sign of trouble.
There have also been rumors of an Open Beta in August, but this has yet to be confirmed by Bungie.
Survive and your loot is yours to keep for future runs on Tau Ceti.
Thankfully, Bungie is already planning on makingchanges toMarathonahead of its launch. It remains to be seen what other changes may be on the horizon before the game’s release window, but if Bungie is able to fine-tune the experience to players' liking, the extraction shooter andHelldivers 2may present a fun franchise competition down the road.
BothHelldivers 2andMarathontake place in wonderfully unique sci-fi worlds, and it will be exciting to see how the two compare.Helldivers 2provides a PvE third-person experience, whileMarathonholds true to its genrewith a third-person PvP approach.Marathonmay still need some time in the oven, but it has the potential to be a strong competitor, which could turn it andHelldivers 2into two sides of the same coin.
Marathonis Bungie’s first non-Destinyproject in over a decade.
Marathon Waits On the Horizon
With no price revealed, skepticism continues to grow aroundMarathon. After Nintendo caused a stir with itsprice hikes for the Switch 2, many gamers are on edge about higher prices being a continuing trend. Only time will tell what the future ofMarathonholds, but if successful,Helldivers 2could have its first real taste of competition.
