Marathon vs Marathon 2: Durandal
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Set in the distant future aboard the colony ship UESC Marathon, you play as a security officer tasked with protecting humanity’s first interstellar outpost. The game blends fast‑paced first‑person shooting with a deep narrative about alien invasion and survival in space. Originally released in 1994, Marathon pioneered network multiplayer and immersive storytelling, and it remains a beloved retro title available on modern Mac and iOS platforms.
Marathon 2: Durandal continues Bungie’s groundbreaking series, adding a rudimentary inventory system, ambient sound, and multiple fire modes for each weapon. The game’s narrative unfolds through scattered computer terminals, revealing a deeper plot as you battle alien foes under the control of the rogue AI Durandal. The Xbox 360 version upgrades the experience with a revised HUD, 4‑player split‑screen and 8‑player Xbox Live co‑op, 16:9 widescreen support, and high‑definition output at 60 fps. Available on PC, iOS, Mac, and Xbox 360, it offers both single‑player and multiplayer modes for fans of classic shooters.
- Groundbreaking multiplayer for its time
- Deep, immersive sci‑fi storyline
- Highly moddable with community support
- Available on modern Mac and iOS platforms
- Rich sci‑fi storyline delivered through terminals
- Dynamic faction AI creates varied combat scenarios
- Robust multiplayer options including split‑screen and online
- Aged graphics may feel dated to new players
- Limited control customization on iOS
- Original multiplayer servers are no longer official
- Graphics are dated compared to modern shooters
- Limited modern control customization
- Inventory system is rudimentary and can feel clunky


