MarathonThe 1.0.0.4 update was released yesterday, and while feedback was mostly positive, there was one note in particular that raised eyebrows from players. The note simply states that Bungie has “increased the range gunfire and explosions can be heard”. MarathonAnd in practice, this is significantly damaging the gameplay loop in the eyes of many players.
While it seems that those concerned about this particular change had a right to be, it's worth repeating that many of the adjustments in this update have gone down well with the community. Perimeter, which is designed as an easy, introductory map, has benefited from the increase in made cabinets. MarathonThe thermal scopes, which need a nerf a lot, were thankfully knocked down a peg. Yet, while highlighting the good is important, constructive criticism is just as integral. MarathonThe future of – and it seems that many players have the same criticism to share MarathonSound overhaul.
PSA: Don't pay attention to the marathon's review bombardment
Marathon reviews are being bombarded on Metacritic, but there is clear evidence that many of its negative reviews can be completely ignored.
Marathon's sound overhaul is making PvP overbearing and hindering playstyles
All over social media, threads like the above post from Reddit user Impossible-Finger942 can be found, with players bemoaning the change to gunfire and explosions. Bungie's goal was to increase PvP interactions after complaints from some parties Marathon Games were too slow, fights were few and far between, but most players seemed to agree that the change wasn't necessary. Maybe Bungie's data indicated that there wasn't enough combat going on between teams, or maybe the studio slipped into some bad faith. Marathon Criticism from non-players, but it's clear that many players preferred the sound before the 1.0.0.4 release update.
According to the disappointed Marathon Players, the sound was very fair as before, players were able to hear gunshots one POI away from their current location. This allowed them to know where the nearest group was or if a nearby area was clear of enemy players, and they could avoid or seek combat from there. Following the audio overhaul, however, players can hear essentially every gunshot on the map, allowing PvP-obsessed Arachne members to find teams that dare to fire their weapons or use explosives. Normally, it was safe to shoot if players correctly guessed that nothing was happening in the nearest POI, but now, they are constantly at risk and PvP interactions against aggressive opponents are all-but-guaranteed.
This change is essentially a compulsion Marathon Players can only use their knives against UESC bots, which can be difficult and cause unnecessary downs when trying to fight stronger bots. The increase in PvP encounters has made stronger shells like Assassin feel even more necessary, as players are constantly ending up in fights where they can feel overmatched. Extraction shooters are meant to offer a healthy mix of PvP and PvE, but after sound adjustments, Impossible-Finger942's rating seems to suggest that the game now feels like a “battle royale” masquerading as “a little more” than others.
Marathon will hopefully address the sound criticism sooner rather than later
Feeling like the commenters MarathonWhile beta testing and server slams have already allowed it to find a healthy audio balance, hopefully Bungie will consider reversing the change. While some may like the idea of the server “collecting where the first shot was fired” and the winner actually doing PvE and “popping the rook”, others feel it scares off new players and makes deals more frustrating than challenging. Some have even argued that the constant fighting leaves little time for them to loot, as the map is so small that other teams can quickly arrive no matter what gunfire they hear. Fortunately, Bungie's track record with requested changes has been solid so far.
Marathon While issues like rewards pass quality, microtransactions, and early game difficulty have been addressed in the game's first week, bigger changes like the UI overhaul are still being worked on. Apparently, Bungie is listening to complaints, so as long as players continue to hear their voices, the audio change will ideally be reversed so that Marathon Reinstating the gameplay loop was loved by many. For now, all players can do is hope for the best, and it's great to keep their criticism constructive.
- issued
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March 5, 2026
- ESRB
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Juvenile/animated blood, language, violence, in-game purchases, user interaction
- Multiplayer
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Online multiplayer, online co-op
