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Struggling in marathon: is the game unplayable now?

Struggling in Marathon | Players Clash Over Matchmaking and Gameplay Challenges

By

Sofia Chang

Mar 14, 2026, 12:33 PM

Edited By

Leo Zhang

Updated

Mar 14, 2026, 07:57 PM

2 minutes of duration

Two experienced FPS players looking frustrated while playing Marathon on their computers, surrounded by gaming equipment and colorful screens
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Gamers are increasingly voicing their frustrations with Marathon, an extraction shooter that seems more unplayable than ever. Competitive players are feeling overpowered and are calling for urgent changes as issues with matchmaking and game dynamics escalate.

The Current State of Gameplay

Recently, many players, including experienced duos from other FPS titles, have reported struggles in Marathon. After an initial successful run post-launch, they are now facing overwhelming odds, routinely eliminated within moments of engaging enemies. One duo noted, "We get stomped every match, many times by players we canโ€™t even see in the distance."

Players Weigh In

Frustration is brewing in community forums:

  • Lamenting the imbalance, one player stated, "If Iโ€™m matched against sweats and streamers who play this game 12 hours a day, I have no chance."

  • Sound issues are contributing to player discontent. One player mentioned, "Footstep sounds are almost nonexistent you turn a corner and a team of three deletes you in seconds."

  • On gear disparities, another argued, "Equipment in this game matters if someone has a purple shield and you only have a gray weapon, you're not winning."

Interestingly, community voices also highlight the need for a dedicated duo queue. One player chimed in, "This isnโ€™t Tarkov where smaller teams can cause chaos. Bungie needs to stop screwing around and add an actual duo queue."

Impact of Matchmaking Decisions

Critics are calling for developers to consider skill-based matchmaking. As one user articulated, "In games without SBMM, half of your player base will have a frustrating experience on average. For the worst 25%, the game will be borderline unplayable."

This sentiment echoes a pressing concern that while high-skill players dominate, casual players are falling behind, impacting community retention.

Key Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Players report feeling overmatched due to gear disparities and lack of balanced matchmaking.

  • โš ๏ธ Sound design issues hinder gameplay efficiency, leaving players vulnerable.

  • ๐Ÿš€ A call for a dedicated duo queue is gaining traction among the community.

Confronting Gameplay Challenges

As frustrations mount, many gamers are considering leaving Marathon altogether if changes aren't made. One player expressed, "Iโ€™ve been done for 2 or 3 days now. Iโ€™ll give it time, but the gameplay loop isn't fun right now."

Meanwhile, experienced players searching for ways to enjoy the game are encouraged to adapt their play styles and strategies as they navigate this challenging environment. Will developers heed the community's call for change? Only time will reveal whether these mounting frustrations lead to actionable responses.