Bigger Guns Nearby is the second level in Marathon. It is the second level of Arrival, the first chapter of the game. Leela tells you to obtain the MA-75 Assault Rifle/Grenade Launcher, then find the exit terminal that takes you to Never Burn Money.
The room in which the Assault Rifle is found (which is not far from the beginning of the level) also contains a 1x shield recharger. A Pattern Buffer can be spotted early in the level, but it can't be reached until a set of stairs is raised; the button for that is found several rooms later.
The level is located close to the Marathon's surface; several rooms contain skylights through which outer space can be seen. The various hallways and rooms populated with Pfhor Fighters and S'pht Compilers. There is one 1x shield recharger and one Pattern Buffer.
Walkthrough[]
The path through this level is fairly linear. Make your way towards the northwest; you will pass by a room with a pattern buffer that is not yet reachable. Retrieve the Assault Rifle in the room with lots of alcoves and bright wall lights; there's also a 1x shield recharger here. Keep following the path until you find a room overlooking the Pattern Buffer room. A switch here will raise the stairs leading to the Pattern Buffer; double back and use the buffer to save your game.
Ensure your shields are fully charged, then make your way east, dropping down into a series of large rooms filled with fighters. Keep following the path.
Be careful in the corridors leading up to the final room; once you move beyond a certain point, Compilers will spawn behind you. The final room contains a bunch of fighters and another Compiler.
The level contains a few secret areas that can be reached by grenade hopping. In a raised corridor (point A1 on the map) some Assault Rifle ammo can be found. The raised corridor at point A2, which connects two large rooms, contains a Hypervision powerup.
Terminals[]
Level 29-b Section 10 Public Access Terminal<102.21.521.146>[]
In this terminal Leela informs you of the destruction of the planet-side spaceport and the medium-range radio antennae by the Pfhor. She also mentions the Pfhor are more interested in the UESC Marathon than in the colony itself. She then directs you to the Assault Rifle and exit terminal, while hinting at the behaviour changes in Durandal.
Public Access Terminal 2362-d<12.53.2111.42>[]
This terminal contains the "unauthorized access" tags which suggest a S'pht Compiler has been in the system - and indeed, there is one in the room containing this terminal. A "Marathon Internal Engineering Document" is open, describing the different kinds of doors in the Marathon, as well as Durandal's control of them.
Public Access Terminal <101.532.74.95>[]
The final terminal in the level mentions electromagnetic weapons were used to disable the Marathon's automated defenses and damage the three AIs on board. It also describes the roles of these AIs. Finally, Leela sets up the objective for the next few missions: to restore the Marathon's automated defenses.
Trivia[]
- The song on this level is titled Leela. It's more uplifting than the previous level's music. It is track #8.
- The named regions on the level map include "BioCore Vent #88A" and "BioCore Vent #88B".
Sources[]
Marathon - Level 1: Bigger Guns Nearby