What is Marathon 2: Durandal?

Bungie Software has done it again. If you liked the original Marathon, then you'll love Marathon 2: Durandal. Marathon 2's enemies are nastier, the play is faster-paced, and there are plenty of new surprises.

Unlike in the original game, you're no longer aboard the Starship Marathon. It is now 17 years later, and you've been kidnapped by Durandal — the rogue personality who was the brains behind the defense of the original colony ship — and whisked away to a planet orbiting a star 97 lightyears from the center of the Milky Way. You obey Durandal s bidding through his remote guidance; he's taken over video displays on the planet and communicates with you periodically through them.

As in the original Marathon, the ultimate goal of the new version is to rid the planet of every mutant creature that rears its ugly head. The images are even more graphic and gore-filled than those in the original Marathon, and the movement is fluid and quick. I found myself relying solely on reflex and the tools at hand (the motion detector is especially invaluable) to get me through some tight spots — especially when green sewer-dwelling monsters started to dose in. New mutant drones can he extremely hazardous to your health if you're not armed to the teeth before confronting them.

One of the best new network features is the addition of real-time audio. A simple dialog-box option lets you talk to the other networked players through the microphone on your Mac and lead your team through the rough spots. If you’ve overplayed a network game without this feature, you know how frustrating it is to have to guess what your teammates are doing.

There are a number of different options for networked play, many of them grotesque variants on schoolyard games like tag or king of the hill. In addition to the straightforward Team and Every Man for Himself, other scenarios include Kill the Guy with the Ball — the object is to maintain possession of a gruesome skull for the longest time. My favorite network option is the Cooperative scheme, where players assist one another to complete each level. I was impressed to find you must select Cooperative mode in order to play the entire plot. Although you can still accidentally kill other players in this mode, it's not designed that way. If you want to actively kill one another, you’re confined to single-level arenas.

The Last Word Marathon 2: Durandal is a well-crafted action-adventure game, but it’s not for the squeamish or those disturbed by violence. The game's increased network capabilities and fluid, engaging play make for a compelling adventure.

Delisio, Fred. (March 1996). Marathon 2. Macworld. (pg. 85).

See also: Marathon, Marathon Infinity

Download Marathon 2: Durandal for Mac

Architecture

68K + PPC (FAT)

System Requirements

From Mac OS 6.0 up to Mac OS 9.2

Compatibility notes

• 68020 processor
• 256 colors
• System 6.0.5 (7.0 for network play)

Emulating this? It could probably run under: SheepShaver