Destiny 2's impending end of active development, slated for June with the release of its final update, "Moment of Triumph", has sparked an unexpected backlash on Steam, where fans of the game are engaging in a review war with supporters of Marathon. This reaction comes after Bungie confirmed the conclusion of Destiny 2's nine-year-long journey, leaving a dedicated player base grappling with the announcement.
The focal point of this conflict is Marathon, a game that Destiny 2 fans blame for influencing Bungie's decision to halt development. Hundreds of negative reviews have flooded Marathon's Steam page, with critics labeling the game as "hollow" in comparison to Destiny 2, which they argue has "soul". Reviewers have also expressed disdain for what they perceive as the industry's shift towards extraction shooters, a genre they believe is overemphasized at the expense of games like Destiny 2.
Quotes from the Frontlines
The sentiment among disgruntled Destiny 2 fans is palpable, with reviews reflecting a deep sense of betrayal and loss. As one reviewer succinctly put it,
"They killed D2, FOR THIS!!???"
Another reviewer was more verbose in their criticism, stating,
"You corporate scum keep sucking the life out of what gamers really care for in games and from companies we love. NO ONE cares for extraction shooters as much as you bean heads think we do."
A more melancholic tone was struck by a user who wrote,
"I’m sorry that you died for this Destiny."
Interestingly, many of these negative reviews come from accounts with minimal playtime in Marathon, contrasting with a subset of reviewers who have invested significant time in the game yet still chose to criticize it in the context of Destiny 2's demise.
A Response from Marathon's Community
Marathon fans have not remained silent, launching a counter-effort by posting positive reviews and praising the game's design and gameplay. One reviewer highlighted,
"This game is a breath of fresh air. The PvP is very reminiscent of Destiny 1’s PvP (D1 good, D2 bad),"
indirectly critiquing Destiny 2 while defending Marathon. This response not only showcases the game's appeal to its fan base but also underscores the stark divide between communities.
Why This Matters
The review war between Destiny 2 and Marathon fans on Steam serves as a microcosm of broader industry tensions and fan expectations. It highlights how the end of a game's development cycle can evoke strong emotional responses from its community, leading to misguided backlash against unrelated titles. The comparison between Marathon and Destiny 2, despite their differences in genre, style, and gameplay, further illustrates the challenges in navigating fan preferences and the perceived value of different game types within the gaming ecosystem.
Moreover, this incident raises questions about the appropriate channels for fan feedback and the impact of review-bombing on game perception and community morale. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, incidents like this review war underscore the need for constructive dialogue between developers, platforms, and fans to address grievances and celebrate game legacies.
Community Reaction and the Way Forward
The mixed community reaction—ranging from vehement criticism to defensive positivity—underscores the complexity of fan engagement in the face of significant game development changes. While the review war may not directly influence the development trajectory of either game at this point, it signals a deeper disconnect between what fans value in games and the industry's current direction.
As Destiny 2 prepares for its final update and Marathon continues its journey, the hope is that this review war will remain an isolated incident rather than setting a precedent for cross-game fan conflicts on platforms like Steam. The gaming community's response to such announcements will be closely watched, especially as more titles navigate the challenges of ending active development.
In the immediate future, fans of both games would do well to reflect on the value of constructive feedback over retaliatory reviews, ensuring that the legacy of Destiny 2 and the potential of Marathon are discussed with the respect and clarity both communities deserve.
