Marathon vs Arc Raiders: Similarities, Differences and Which Extraction Shooter Should You Play?

Extraction shooters were never truly locked in a tight race when Escape from Tarkov defined the genre. For years, it set the pace while others tried to break into the genre. However, with Arc Raiders already making a statement last year and Bungie’s Marathon stepping into the arena, players are now picking sides. So which one deserves your time? Here is a full breakdown of Marthon vs Arc Raiders, including the similarities and differences, with a detailed opinion on which extraction shooter you should play.

Marathon vs Arc Raiders Similarities

Arc Raiders and Marathon both follow the same genre, but there are some major differences. Before we jump into the Marathon vs Arc Raiders comparison, here are the core similarities between these two extraction shooters:

Feature	Explanation
Extraction Core Loop	Drop in, loot, survive, extract. Death means losing what you have in back pack.
PvPvE Structure	AI enemies and real players share the same map space.
Gear Risk	High-value loadouts create tension and real loss on death.
Squad Focus	Both support teams play with coordinated pushes and revives.
Live Service Model	Ongoing updates, balance patches, seasonal evolution.

Marathon vs Arc Raiders Comparison

We all know there are massive differences in the visuals and art departments of Marathon and Arc Raiders. But there are some comparisons between these games that are a must-know before making the purchase. Here is the full list of Marathon vs Arc Raiders comparison:

Category	Marathon	ARC Raiders
Perspective	First person	Third person
Characters and Abilities	Ability-based runners	Normal characters
Matchmaking	No aggression-based sorting	Aggression-based matchmaking
Elimination Time	Lower, faster engagements	Higher, more forgiving
Weapons and Loadout Build Depth	Deep mod and faction systems	Light skill tree and crafting
Visual Style and UI	Sci-fi neon-themed visuals, cluttered UI, hard-to-navigate menu	Old-school post-apocalyptic visuals, clean UI, simple menu
Server Tick Rate and Feedback	60Hz and smooth feedback	20Hz, decent feedback, and desync issues

Marathon vs Arc Raiders Differences Explained

Arc Raiders won multiplayer game of the year, and since its release, have been constantly pulling gamers. In 2025, Arc Raiders showed that extraction shooters can still dominate. And with Bungie’s reputation on the line, there is a chance for Marathon to get close or even surpass Arc Raiders CCU. So, before the Marathon release date is here, check out the differences between these games.

Gameplay Perspective

Marathon runs fully in first person, like proper FPS games like Counter-Strike or even Escape from Tarkov. That makes every peek a commitment. You gather information by exposing yourself. It rewards raw mechanics and positioning.

In comparison, Arc Raiders is a third-person POV game. This makes the game easier than any FPS shooters. You have the advantage of peeking behind walls without moving your character’s body. That naturally slows engagements and lowers entry pressure for new players.

Characters and Abilities

One of the highlights of Marathon is the ability based Runners, often called Shells. Each Marathon characters built around distinct tactical strengths. Some specialize in recon, some in area control, and others in disruption or stealth. Their abilities directly affect how you approach fights, scouting, and survival.

When you compare, Arc Raiders have no ability-based characters. Your effectiveness comes from gadgets, crafting, and skill upgrades rather than unique active powers. Everyone operates on the same foundational toolkit, which keeps encounters grounded and predictable. The focus stays on positioning, teamwork, and resource management instead of ability timing.

Matchmaking

As we said earlier, Marathon does not have any issues putting you against any PvP player. The game puts everyone in the same pool. No sorting or filters to make things simple. Every drop carries the same risk of running into high-skilled players. And chances are, you will always get gunned down by that extraction camper.

Arc Raiders already puts you in more friendly lobbies if you keep being a pacifist. But that’s not all. ARC Raiders uses aggression-based matchmaking. This means your inventory level, reputation, and skills come into account during the queue. This alone makes Marathon a much harder game vs Arc Raiders for casual players.

Elimination Time

If you love a good old big server, many human player games, you can understand how easily it ends up becoming a lobby simulator in no time. That is where the time to kill someone comes into play. Especially when your death decides which loot you can exfil with. Marathon’s lower time to kill means reflexes matter immediately. One mistake and you are punished fast.

On the other hand, Arc Raiders give you breathing room. The higher time to kill allows counterplay, especially helpful in third-person fights. In some cases, Arc Raiders feels slow as the feedback on the eliminations creates a more realistic experience.

Weapons and Loadout Build Depth

Marathon leans hard into buildcrafting through faction reputation, implants, and weapon mods. That genuinely changes how your Shell/Runner behaves. So, higher rarity Marathon guns are not always the key part of your loadout. A single mod swap can shift your role from aggressive entry fragger to calculated flanker, and that flexibility feeds directly into its PvP focus. In the broader Marathon vs Arc Raiders debate, this is where Marathon feels closer to a competitive hero shooter layered on top of extraction rules.

Arc Raiders keeps its systems grounded in crafting and incremental skill upgrades rather than complex build interactions. You gather materials in Arc Raiders, unlock blueprints, and improve conditioning, mobility, or stealth in a way that feels steady and readable. There are weapon attachments, but they tend to refine performance instead of redefining playstyle. The result is approachable depth that supports survival fantasy more than experimental loadout theorycrafting.

Visual Style and UI

Marathon commits to a bold neon sci-fi aesthetic, and it makes you a bit overwhelmed, too. It looks striking in motion, but that same visual intensity carries into the interface. The UI looks cluttered, and half of the time, you will try to figure out where the option you are looking for is. In any Marathon vs Arc Raiders comparison, this is one of Marathon’s most debated weaknesses because extraction games live in their menus as much as on the battlefield.

Visually, if you compare, Arc Raiders takes the approach of a more restrained post-apocalyptic approach, favoring muted tones and grounded industrial design. That philosophy carries into the interface, where the UI is cleaner, and the menus are simpler to understand. Inventory management feels straightforward, and you spend less time deciphering icons or layered tabs.

Server Tick Rate and Feedback

When playing shooters in a PvP setup, server tick rate and the gunplay feedback matter more than a lot of other things. Marathon runs on 60Hz servers, which means the game updates player actions sixty times per second. In practical terms, that translates to tighter hit registration and fewer frustrating moments where you feel eliminated behind cover. Combined with its lower time to kill, the smooth feedback loop reinforces its competitive ambitions. For players who value mechanical precision, the responsiveness is immediately noticeable.

Arc Raiders operates at 20Hz, which is serviceable but less precise in high-intensity encounters. Most fights feel fine, especially in PvE scenarios, but messy PvP moments can occasionally expose latency or desync. Because the game has a higher time to kill and a more forgiving combat pace, these issues are less punishing than they might be in a sweaty shooter. It fits ARC Raiders’ broader design philosophy, which prioritizes accessibility and atmosphere over razor-sharp competitive margins.

Marathon vs Arc Raiders: Which Extraction Shooter Should You Play?

If you enjoy tight gunplay, fast reactions, and structured competition, Marathon is likely your lane. The lower time to kill, 60Hz servers, and deeper build systems all point toward a PvP-first experience. Every raid feels dangerous, and every mistake is punished quickly. Just be ready to deal with a cluttered UI and a menu system that can feel harder to navigate than it should.

For the ones who prefer flexibility, clearer menus, and the option to ease into fights, Arc Raiders is the more welcoming choice. The third-person perspective, aggression-based matchmaking, and cleaner interface make it easier to settle into long sessions. It supports both PvE-focused runs and PvP chaos without forcing either. In the ultimate Marathon vs Arc Raiders debate, it really comes down to whether you want constant pressure or controlled tension when you deploy.

That ends our Marathon vs Arc Raiders explanation to highlight the major differences between them. Which game are you spending your hours in? Let us know in the comments.