Very few games in recent memory have come with as much baggage as Bungie's Marathon. The Halo and Destiny 2 the developer's first brand-new universe in more than a decade has spent much of its pre-launch life battling delays, backlash in early testing, internal instability and numerous controversies that have kept it in the headlines for reasons largely unrelated to gameplay. Between leaked footage, heated community discourse, and questions about where Bungie's priorities really lie, Marathon has often felt like a project that just can't catch a break before it's even had a chance to prove itself, with a long, awkward path to release as just a handful of gameplay experiences.
The problem is that all that noise can easily overshadow what Marathon actually is: a PvPvE extraction shooter where every second counts and the reward is often worth the high risk that comes with pursuing it. It's not a traditional Bungie campaign, and it's not trying to be the next one Fate. But with Bungie being one of the top developers when it comes to shooters, the extraction shooter genre is seeing a rise in prominence following the success of games like ARC Raiders, Marathons legacy may not be over as quickly as public perception seems to assume. To really understand Marathon As we head into launch, it helps to step back from the controversy and take a clear look at the game Bungie is actually putting into players' hands.
What Marathon really is
Best described as a modern reimagining of Bungie's original trilogy of first-person shooters from the 1990s and 2026 Marathon nods to the setting and lore of these games and places them within the framework of a PvPvE extraction shooter with a loop similar to games like The escape from Tarkov. Essentially, Marathon sees players step into the dark sci-fi world of Tau Ceti IV, scouring its zones for valuables and attempting to extract them without being shut down by players or the game's AI enemies.
Marathon features at a glance
- PVPVE EXTRACTION Shooter focused on high stakes risk and reward games.
- DARK SCI-FI WORLD takes place on the hostile planet Tau Ceti IV.
- RUNNER BASED PLAYERS control cybernetic mercenaries with unique abilities.
- EQUIPMENT DRIVEN HOSES where successful escapes preserve loot and progress.
- SOLO AND SQUAD GAMES support single players or teams of up to three.
- BUNGIE-STYLE VAPERS with a focus on precision shooting with tactical movement.
- GEAR BASED PROGRESSION tied to weapons, implants and charges.
- FACTION CONTRACT which offer unique, lucrative incentives.
- SEASON'S LIVE CONTENT including evolving narrative elements and updates.
- PROXIMITY VOICE CHAT which enables emergent social encounters.
- FULL SUPPORT FOR CROSS PLAY on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
- CROSS SAVE FUNCTIONALITY allows progression to carry across platforms.
Like other Bungie games like Destiny 2 are known for their gunplay, this will probably be the defining feature that sets Marathon in addition to other extraction shooters. ARC Raiders has seemingly taken over the scene with its immersive and evolving gameplay, but Marathon can still have a lot to offer in terms of gameplay itself, especially when it comes to how that game feels. Also, the developer's penchant for character classes and distinct playstyles in the world of Fate will transition to Marathon likewise, which few games in the extraction shooter genre are known for.
Six equipped Runner skins offer different playstyle foundations to build on, such as Destroyer, Recon and Thief.
These classes offer distinct playstyles in the form of six unique Runner skins, and each gives players access to countless build styles with moddable weapons, body implants, and core system upgrades. Besides the customization aspect of the game that comes with buildcrafting, Marathon will allow players to further customize their experience by completing faction contracts for six competing factions in the world of Tau Ceti IV, each of which comes with unique incentives. By completing said contract, players can increase their power with seasonal unlocks such as Runner shell upgrades, stronger starting charges, increased vault space, and specialized items.
Unlike ARC Raiders at launch, Marathon will allow players to queue in the solo, duo, and trio lobbies upon release, giving even more options for how to approach gameplay. It also offers the unique option of sneaking into ongoing lobbies without starting gear like a Rook. Marathon also has proximity chat, so the possibilities for emerging social gaming are basically endless. Interestingly, proximity chat was not originally planned to be included Marathon at launch, but that stance changed during development.
Finally, as is traditional in extraction shooters, when players manage to extract from a round in Marathonthey will develop their seasonal power, earn cosmetics and be able to use their loot to improve their builds. Seasons in the game are expected to run on a three-month cycle, although this is subject to change, and each new season will bring major changes to zones, weapons, events, and Marathons story.
Later in Season 1, players will be able to participate in a more competitive Rated mode.
Marathon Editions and Pricing
Marathon has a few different editions to choose from, with the Standard Edition priced at $39.99, the Deluxe Edition costing $59.99, and the Collector's Edition commanding a whopping $229.99. The standard version only includes the base game and seasonal core content, but the Deluxe Edition and Collector's Edition have a variety of bonuses, including cosmetics, unique items, and physical collectibles. Players can also pre-order Marathon for various cosmetic items and a handful Destiny 2 rewards too.
|
Edition |
Price |
Content |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard edition |
$39.99 |
Base game and seasonal core content |
|
Deluxe Edition |
$59.99 |
All standard edition content plus extra cosmetics, premium cards and unique items |
|
Collector's Edition |
$229.99 |
All Deluxe Edition content plus physical collectibles (such as a statue, notes, postcards) and digital extras |
Finally, Marathon will be available on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PS5and it will support cross-play and cross-save, so players can enjoy the game on multiple platforms if they choose. PC players will be able to play the game on Steam, but there is no confirmation yet on whether the game will eventually be available on the Epic Games Store.
Despite the obstacles it has had to overcome so far, Marathon will ultimately either live or die based on how it feels when players are actually in it and experiencing it first hand. All the noise leading up to its launch has been impossible to ignore, but what it adds to the extraction shooter genre, if anything, will be the loudest statement yet. Bungie has free lane here, and about Marathon delivers on that experience when it launches on March 5, 2026, the conversation around it will change quickly.
- Released
-
March 5, 2026
- ESRB
-
Teen/blood, violence, users interact
- Multiplayer
-
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
