Even after 200 hours, Marathon's greatest secret is still deciphering the rhythms of rival players
There’s a whole phase to the game of Marathon that occurs right when you might assume it’s over. It begins with the jolting sound effect that indicates a teammate has been downed - knocked on their back by volt fire or a claymore in a dark corner. Then, as you rush to help, a second jolt: another teammate p...
There’s a whole phase to the game of Marathon that occurs right when you might assume it’s over. It begins with the jolting sound effect that indicates a teammate has been downed - knocked on their back by volt fire or a claymore in a dark corner. Then, as you rush to help, a second jolt: another teammate pummeled into helplessness by an unseen assailant. Footsteps all around: a full enemy team, and you alone, as the revive timers of your friends melt away, like clocks in a Dali painting.
Very often, at this point, the best thing you can do for your teammates is turn and flee, as quietly as you can. It might feel counterintuitive - and in fact, your abandoned friends may vehemently disagree with your chosen course of action, until reasoned with or muted on mic, according to taste. If you’ve matchmade with strangers, they might simply quit. But in moments like these, when the battle is lost and vultures pick through the backpacks of your comrades, the match may yet be won.
Original reporting appears on the publisher’s site.
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