Bungie revives its classic shooter as a vibrant extraction game that demands persistence to reveal its strengths. Players take on high-stakes runs in a sci-fi world packed with color and chaos.
Turbulent Path to Launch
Announced in May 2023, Marathon faced studio restructurings, widespread layoffs, and a resolved plagiarism dispute that tested its survival. Delayed significantly, it launches in 2026 amid Sony’s push for live service successes like Fortnite or Apex Legends. Yet, it competes directly with Arc Raiders, which arrived earlier and captured strong player interest.
Bungie’s track record with enduring multiplayer titles like Halo and Destiny builds high expectations. Still, low buzz surrounds Marathon, possibly due to its rocky development, evolving studio dynamics, or the niche appeal of extraction shooters.
Roots in Retro Gaming
This reboot draws from Bungie’s 1994 Macintosh-exclusive FPS, sharing a bold sci-fi palette and loose narrative threads. Players embody Runners—digital consciousnesses in customizable biocybernetic shells—tasked with salvaging ruins on Tau Ceti after a colony ship’s distress call from the UESC Marathon.
Server Slam Impressions
Hands-on play during the pre-launch Server Slam reveals a challenging entry point. The game feels opaque and punishing for newcomers, with convoluted menus and a steep curve. Cinematic intros dazzle with neon futurism, but navigation proves frustrating: loadout swaps drag, interfaces clash with erratic fonts, and vault management slows progress.
The core PvPvE loop mirrors Arc Raiders and Escape from Tarkov: drop into maps solo or in trios, loot gear, fulfill contracts, and extract alive. Death means losing everything to rival Runners or AI foes. Aids like free loadouts and the solo Rook shell—offering stealth against bots—ease early fears.
Key Challenges
High time-to-kill rates pair with aggressive AI in loot zones, ending runs swiftly amid thick fog of war. Tutorials fall short; a social media post from the developers provides clearer guidance, such as zone-specific contracts, hovering for objectives, inspecting weapons outside runs, and noting that crouching builds heat.
Unlocking the Fun
Perseverance pays off. Shield implants tame lethality, while quests and data cards yield credits even on failed runs, shifting focus to progression. Gunplay shines in Bungie’s signature style, but objective-driven stealth often proves more rewarding.
One tense run involved securing a glitching sample, stabilizing it across the map amid patrols, then racing to extract. Paranoia peaks during processing as distant shots echo, culminating in a sly slide into an exfil zone past a suspicious rival.
These moments highlight Marathon’s bite-sized tension, favoring tasks over constant firefights.
Future Potential and Polish Needs
Upcoming ranked mode and Cryo Archive—a raid-like endgame with puzzles and close combat—promise depth. Art direction evokes Splatoon crossed with Prey, but sterile atmospheres and cramped spaces limit interactions beyond combat.
Distinct from rivals’ dread-filled scales, Marathon prioritizes speed, yet poor onboarding risks player drop-off. Upgrades and weapons could elevate it, but obtuse designs hinder contention.
Release Details
Platforms: PlayStation 5 (tested), Xbox Series X/S, PC
Price: £34.99
Release Date: March 5, 2026
Age Rating: 16
