Marathon’s Server Slam is nearly at an finish, and in between matches I have been preserving a detailed eye on Bungie’s log of suggestions and responses to criticisms. I do not suppose Marathon’s in a nasty place in any respect, however there are definitely just a few areas wherein the FPS recreation wants to enhance, ideally within the very quick window between now and its full launch date. Whereas Bungie has already said it was wanting into areas similar to time to kill, UI, and PC efficiency, it is thrown two remaining buzzer beaters onto its record of chores previous to the Server Slam concluding.
The primary – and for me, an important – is that Bungie has acknowledged complaints in regards to the lack of a duo queue in Marathon. Within the Server Slam, you may matchmake into solo or trio lobbies. Two associates can in fact queue as much as play with one another in the identical squad, however you may both should let Bungie discover you a random solo to hitch your group, or make peace with the actual fact you may be in a whole lot of 2v3 gunfights. I had this actual dilemma simply this morning earlier than clocking in at PCGamesN Towers – a good friend and I crammed in some remaining video games collectively earlier than the Server Slam closed, however in concern of being outgunned, we determined to fill our squad with a random third who, whereas gutsy, wasn’t greatest geared up for a PvP battle…
“Now we have heard the suggestions about duo devoted lobbies,” Bungie says in a brand new publish on the Marathon Improvement Workforce X account. “This has been logged and shared with the group.” So, no full dedication or a ‘we’ll discover it’ promise, however the lack of duo lobbies has at the very least been famous. I am not sure if it is the sort of change that may very well be made within the handful of days earlier than launch, however hopefully one thing involves fruition quickly.
Bungie additionally says that it has seen grumbles about not with the ability to unbind all of Marathon’s inputs, and has added that to its lengthy record of suggestions, too.
Within the publish, the developer additionally reaffirms that it is wanting on the effectiveness of Marathon’s UI and UX, arguably the largest moan I’ve seen over the course of the weekend, and one I sympathize with. Transferring and equipping gadgets out of your vault or from loot sources mid-game is clunky proper now – although admittedly, the potential keybinding change might help you make your individual system that works extra naturally for you. It is also irritating that a whole lot of the Cores and Mods to your character’s loadout look an identical, so you need to spend time hovering over every simply to seek out out what every one truly is.
On prime of the whole lot I’ve simply talked about, Bungie’s additionally going to have a look at PC efficiency points, the ammo and therapeutic merchandise economic system, TTK for PvP engagements, and enhancements to the motion system. These are some pretty chunky subjects to tackle earlier than the Marathon launch date arrives on Thursday, March 5, so I am not that assured we’ll see the whole lot addressed earlier than then. Nonetheless, does that imply I am not going to be there from minute one? Completely not. I am intrigued to see if Marathon retains me invested in the long run, however after this weekend’s introduction, I am extremely eager to leap again in.
