Bungie has finally dropped its newest game, and despite mountains of doubt leading up to its release, it managed to make a solid game. Extraction shooters are already a niche genre, and “Marathon’s” cutthroat approach makes it even harder to get into, but there are rewards for those who can survive.

Extraction shooters combine elements of battle royale and survival games. Groups of people are thrown into a large map to loot valuable weapons, better gear and resources. Aside from enemy players, there are also deadly security bots that roam the area.

Even with upgraded shields, the time to kill is very fast. This makes the game feel even more difficult, but that’s part of its identity. Fights between two teams of three often begin and end in less than 20 seconds. It’s a brutal game that harsh penalties for failure. On the flipside, the rewards can be grand.

That’s what makes extraction shooters unique and addictive. The feeling of hitting that big score after a tense firefight is something standard shooters can’t deliver. The after the looting is the escape. If you die before finding an extraction point and teleporting out of the map then every single thing you had on you is gone for good.

That’s the unforgiving part that makes these games repellent for a lot of people. Losing your best guns or a stack of rare valuables is heartbreaking and a losing streak is depressing enough to make you consider uninstalling the game.

The good news is that leveling up the six factions in the game by completing contracts for them lets you buy gear and upgrades. Doing so makes it easier to bounce back after getting wiped out. It makes the game feel a little less brutal, but also feeds into that addictive loop.

If you couldn’t guess by now, this is a game that pretty much requires playing with a team of people you know if you’re going to get the most out of it. Communication is key for completing contracts and surviving firefights with enemy teams. Unfortunately, finding strangers that actually use their mics is a rarity and even then there’s a slim chance that you’ll have the same contract.

Despite Bungies pedigree for great single player campaigns and PvE content in “Destiny”, this game is mainly focused on fighting other players. It’s another thing that makes the game feel impenetrable and makes every match a cutthroat experience.

The closest thing to a PvE experience is the Cryo Archive, a level that opens up on weekends for players of a certain level if they have a key. It’s a pressure cooker of constant battles against experienced players and makes for one of the most stressful experiences in gaming. Those that can make it to the boss can defeat it for the best rewards in the game. It’s nowhere close to a “Destiny” raid, but it’s something.

Style and presentation are one of the game’s strongest elements. The art director referred to the style as “graphic realism,” and it pulls a lot of inspiration from works like “Mirror’s Edge” and “Ghost in the Shell”. It’s like cyberpunk mixed with a sleek, pastel dystopia. It’s a world that gets its hooks in you right away.

The character designs, building, interiors and even menus are dripping with style and it all gives the game an eerie feeling. It’s a very immersive experience when combined with the great sound design.

“Marathon” is like an exotic delicacy. Some will appreciate the things that make it unique while most would run for the hills after one taste. There’s an extremely solid foundation with niche appeal due to its sheer lack of mercy. Even as someone who liked it, I get the feeling I’ll end up appreciating it from a distance after one heartbreaking loss too many. “Marathon” earns 4 stars out of 5.