Few games in recent memory have carried as much baggage as Bungie's. marathon. that halo and Destiny 2 The developer's first new universe in over a decade spent most of its pre-release time battling delays, backlash in early testing, internal instability, and a slew of controversies that made headlines for reasons largely unrelated to gameplay. Between leaked footage, heated community discourse, and questions about what Bungie's true priorities are, marathon It used to feel like a project that couldn't rest before it had a chance to prove itself. The road to release is long and inconvenient, and I've only experienced it with a handful of games.
The problem is that all that noise can easily mask something else. marathon In reality, it's a PvPvE extraction shooter where every second counts, and it's often worth the high risk of pursuing it. This isn't a traditional Bungie campaign, nor is it trying to be the next generation. fate. However, Bungie is one of the best developers in the field of gunplay, and the extraction shooting genre has been rising to prominence after the success of games like ARC Raiders, marathon's legacy may not end as quickly as public perception. To truly understand marathon Ahead of launch, it's helpful to take a step back from the controversy and take a clear look at the game Bungie is actually putting into players' hands.
What is a marathon?
It's best described as a modern take on Bungie's original first-person shooter trilogy, set from the 1990s to 2026. marathon It nods to the setting and lore of those games and places them within the framework of a PvPvE extraction shooter with a similar loop to games like: Escape from Tarkov. Essentially, marathon Players enter the dark sci-fi world of Tau Ceti IV, scavenging areas for valuables and attempting to escape without being taken down by the player or the game's AI enemies.
Marathon features at a glance
- PVPVE Extraction Shooter Focuses on high-risk and high-reward gameplay.
- dark sci-fi world Set on the hostile planet Tau Ceti IV.
- Runner based player You control a cybernetic mercenary with unique abilities.
- Extract-based loop A successful escape preserves loot and advancement.
- Solo and squad play Supports solo players or teams of up to 3 players.
- Bungee-style gunplay Focus on precision shooting with tactical movement.
- gear-based progression It involves weapons, implants, and loadouts.
- faction contract We offer unique and lucrative incentives.
- Seasonal live content Includes evolving narrative elements and updates.
- Proximity voice chat It allows for urgent social encounters.
- Full cross-play support Available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
- Cross-save feature Progress can be made across platforms.
Like other Bungie games Destiny 2 It's famous for its gunplay, and this will likely be a defining characteristic of the setting. marathon Apart from other extraction shooters. ARC Raiders Although it appears to dominate the field with immersive and evolving gameplay, marathon In terms of the gameplay itself, it still has a lot to offer, especially in terms of what the gameplay feels like. Moreover, the developer's penchant for character classes and unique play styles in the game world fate It leads to marathon Additionally, very little is known about games in the extraction shooting genre.
Six equippable Runner shells provide the foundation for a variety of playstyles such as Destroyer, Recon, and Thief.
These classes offer unique playstyles in the form of six unique Runner shells, each giving players access to numerous build styles through moddable weapons, body implants, and core system upgrades. In addition to the personalization aspect of gameplay that comes with BuildCraft; marathon Players can further personalize their experience by completing faction contracts for six competing factions in the world of Tau Ceti IV, each with unique incentives. By completing said contracts, players can increase their power through seasonal unlocks such as runner shell upgrades, stronger starting loadouts, increased vault space, and special prizes.
unequal ARC Raiders Upon release, marathon At launch, players will be able to queue in solo, duo, and trio lobbies, giving them more options on how to approach gameplay. It also gives you the unique option of being able to sneak into ongoing lobbies as a rook without any starting gear. marathon It also features proximity chat, so the possibilities for new social gameplay are essentially endless. Interestingly, proximity chat wasn't in the original plan. marathon At launch, this stance changed during development.
Finally, as is traditional in extraction shooting games, if a player successfully extracts in a round, marathonThey can boost their seasonal powers, gain cosmetic items, and use loot to improve their builds. The game's seasons are expected to run in three-month cycles, but this may change and each new season will see major changes to zones, weapons, events, and more. marathon's narrative.
Later in Season 1, players can engage in a more competitively oriented rated mode.
Marathon Edition and Pricing
marathon The Standard Edition costs $39.99, the Deluxe Edition costs $59.99, and the Collector's Edition costs a whopping $229.99. While the Standard Edition includes only the base game and core seasonal content, the Deluxe Edition and Collector's Edition include a variety of bonuses including cosmetics, unique items, and physical collectibles. Players can also pre-order marathon Various cosmetics and a few Destiny 2 The same goes for compensation.
|
board |
price |
contents |
|---|---|---|
|
standard edition |
$39.99 |
Base game and core season content |
|
deluxe edition |
$59.99 |
All Standard Edition content plus additional cosmetics, Premium Pass and unique items |
|
Collector's Edition |
$229.99 |
All Deluxe Edition content plus physical collectibles (statues, patches, postcards, etc.) and digital add-ons. |
finally, marathon Available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5It supports cross-play and cross-save, allowing players to enjoy the game on multiple platforms if they wish. PC players can play the game on Steam, but it's not yet confirmed whether the game will be available on the Epic Games Store.
Despite the difficulties we have had to overcome so far, marathon Ultimately, it will live or die based on how players feel when they actually engage with the game and experience it firsthand. All the noise leading up to its release was impossible to ignore, but its contribution to the extraction shooter genre may be its biggest statement yet. Bungie has a clear lane here. marathon Delivering this experience when it launches on March 5, 2026 will quickly change the conversation around it.
- released
-
March 5, 2026
- ESRB
-
Teen/Gore, Violence, User Interaction
- multiplayer
-
Online multiplayer, online co-op
