The alpha of Marathon leaves mixed feelings due to a very peculiar design decision

The recent alpha of Marathon has sparked an intense debate among players, especially regarding the inclusion of aim assist for both controllers and keyboard and mouse. This feature, known as “aim magnetism,” is enabled by default and has generated polarized opinions among PC users, who traditionally value precision and control in first-person shooter games.

Assistance that can be disabled, but automatically puts you at a disadvantage

Users in the Marathon subreddit have expressed their discontent, suggesting that the aim assist for keyboard and mouse is excessive, which could harm the gaming experience. Comments like “this is absolutely crazy to have this in a serious keyboard and mouse game” have resonated within the community, highlighting concerns about “skill expression” in the game.

Bungie has stated that aim assist is simply a feature in testing during the alpha, aimed at balancing the experience between PC and console players. However, many players feel that this approach takes away the tension from the battles. It has been reported that the game feels boring and that mobility is limited, contributing to an experience where confrontations seem to occur on “autopilot”.

Despite the controversy, Marathon’s alpha allows players to disable aim assist, thus offering options to customize their experience. According to gameplay director Andrew Witts, the intention is to receive feedback and adjust gameplay based on players’ opinions, stating that “we don’t believe it’s in the most perfect place.”

Marathon, being Bungie’s first exclusive PvP shooter, navigates uncharted waters, especially in a genre where precision is key. With the alpha available until May 4th, time will tell how this conversation will affect the game’s development before its final release.