Some of Marathon's onboarding and progression are grating even to it's most hardcore players. Relative to Marathon's identity and intended appeal, it's onboarding is worse than Escape From Tarkov's. It's not handholding or respecting your intelligence, it's just unfinished.
i think theres a lot to be said for the idea that Marathon is the first videogame that exists that is designed for adults instead of children and that’s why it’s so hated