Marathon nails weapon customization with dynamic builds and impactful mods, while Helldivers 2 struggles with its shallow customization system.
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SUMMARY
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Weapon customization is a core aspect of gameplay that can elevate a shooter, and Marathon has already proven it understands this vital element better than Helldivers 2. The depth of weapon buildcrafting in Marathon is insane, offering players the ability to fine-tune their loadouts.
Players can adapt to dynamic situations. In contrast, Helldivers 2 has a more simplistic approach to weapon customization (which is not available to all weapons), which can make the experience feel more limiting and less engaging.
How Marathon Outshines Helldivers 2 in Weapon Customization
Credit: Bungie Credit: Bungie Credit: Bungie Credit: Bungie Credit: Bungie Credit: Bungie Credit: Bungie Credit: Bungie Credit: Bungie Credit: Bungie
When it comes to customization depth, Marathon is miles ahead with its depth system. In Bungie’s offering, every weapon can be heavily modified through multiple Mod slots, allowing players to make impactful changes in how each weapon performs, as per the game’s open weekend preview.
Players are given the ability to change major stats like range, accuracy, recoil, and handling. Especially, this gives them complete control over their weapon’s functionality based on the situation at hand. This flexibility in the PvPvE game helps you face both AI and real players in unpredictable environments.
In contrast, Helldivers 2 presents you with far more limited and barebones customization. Players can customize their Primary Weapons in the Armory, but not all weapons get the pass. Even among those that are, customization options are limited, to say the least.
Weapons come with a limited set of attachment slots (e.g., for muzzles, underbarrel grips, or magazines). And not every attachment is available for every weapon. Some weapons, like SMGs (and shotguns), always lack certain attachments that other weapons can use.
This results in a more rigid system where weapon performance is less adaptable, and customization feels more superficial.
Adapting to Combat: Marathon’s Dynamic Weapon Builds
In Marathon, customization takes center stage and tries to go beyond simple aesthetics. The Mod system makes a great impact on gameplay, making every weapon feel unique and adaptable (if given enough care).
Players can even tailor weapons for different combat situations, whether it’s increasing recoil control for sustained fire or enhancing accuracy for long-range engagements. This level of customization means that no two players need to approach the game in the same way.
You can adapt to the game’s evolving challenges by modifying your weapons on the fly. This encourages you to make strategic decisions in real-time, giving the gameplay a sense of progression that players can control.
In comparison, the customization in Helldivers 2 feels much more restricted. Sure, we can increase the ergonomics and add scopes (for a few), but it doesn’t change much. It doesn’t make impactful changes because there are very limited options. (especially due to the lack of options on most weapons).
Overall, both the game takes weapon customization differently. One wants it to make an impact, the other has it to make you think you have choices. So, do you prefer Bungie’s extensive weapon customization, or is Arrowhead’s simplicity more your style? Comment below to let us know.
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