Marathon shows its worth and silences critics before the test

A Bungie seems to be finally ready to prove that there is life beyond Destiny, and the new Marathon gameplay video is a beautiful gut punch to those who had already written off the project. The game, which focuses on competitive extraction, will have a "Server Slam" starting on February 26, offering the definitive chance for the public to decide if the studio still has the Midas touch. It is heartening to see that, despite all the internal turmoil at Sony, the developer's refined combat DNA remains intact, although we know that the extraction shooters genre is starting to become a bit saturated.

The extended clip focuses on a squad facing off against artificial intelligence before being run over by a PvP combat against another team. The highlight is on the player in the Triage role, providing a clear view of how medic abilities will work in the midst of the firefight. "The visual design and aesthetics are outstanding," and there's no denying it: Bungie is still a master at creating worlds that seem to have come from a feverish science fiction dream. The problem, of course, is knowing whether this plastic beauty will be accompanied by balance that doesn't turn every match into a festival of frustration for solo players.

There has been much discussion about whether Marathon will be a success or just another forgotten service title in six months. The truth is that the gunplay seems to carry all the legacy of Halo and Destiny, which already puts it five steps ahead of any generic competitor.

In the end, it's hard to bet against a game that exudes so much visual personality. If the gameplay loop is as addictive as the vibrant colors of the map, Bungie may have another phenomenon on their hands. But if the progression is overly punitive or too focused on microtransactions, not even the best art direction in the world will save the corridors from becoming empty. The "Server Slam" will be the moment of truth: either the game explodes in popularity, or it becomes just another pretty item on the shelf of unfulfilled promises.