If you’ve enjoyed Halo or Destiny, you’ll likely be excited about Marathon, the latest release from Bungie. After teasing the project nearly two years ago, the studio unveiled the game in detail, offering a full hour-long presentation featuring gameplay, mechanics, and exciting news about its release. Marathon is set to launch on September 23 for PS5, Xbox Series S / X, and PC, and will support full cross-play and cross-save. Ahead of its official debut, fans can look forward to trying it out in a closed alpha test starting on April 23. You can sign up for the test through Bungie’s official website or Discord server.
Marathon is an ambitious revival of the classic IP, reimagined as a PvPvE (player versus player versus environment) extraction shooter. The game is set in the year 2850 on Tau Ceti IV, a once-thriving colony that mysteriously lost all signs of human life. Now, rival factions are competing to reclaim whatever valuable items remain. As a player, you take on the role of a Runner, a human who has given up their physical form in favour of a synthetic body with special stats and abilities. Your mission is to explore, loot, and survive. You can enter the game solo or as part of a three-person crew with up to 18 players (six teams) in a single match.
Explore dangerous zones and outsmart rival players
In each run, you and your team will explore different zones and attempt to collect gear and other materials. But it’s not just rival players you have to worry about. The planet’s environment is filled with PvE threats, including armed security forces and dangerous creatures. Deciding whether to take them on or sneak around without being detected can be a game-changer. Maps are designed with bold visuals and packed with scavenges like weapons, equipment, and supplies. Before each mission, you’ll choose a loadout and select a Runner that suits your play style.
During the alpha test, you’ll have access to four different Runners. One of them, Void, can go invisible to avoid detection, a tactic that might remind you of the Hunter class in Destiny 2. Another Glitch uses fast movement and glitch-like effects to confuse and damage enemies. Locus offers powerful close-range combat and a shield ability if you prefer a direct approach. For those who enjoy scouting, Blackbird provides enhanced scanning and recon features. When the full game launches in September, there will be two additional Runners to choose from, bringing the total to six. Teams are not restricted by composition, meaning everyone in your squad can pick the same Runner if you wish.
If you die during a run, your gear is dropped and must be retrieved. However, if you survive, all loot is carried to future matches, helping you become stronger over time. Teammates also can revive you mid-match. Bungie has also promised long-term features, including ranked matches, seasonal storytelling, end-game challenges, and regular community events.
Bungie aims to stand out in a crowded genre
To introduce players to the world of Marathon, Bungie released a nearly nine-minute short film directed by Alberto Mielgo, best known for his work on Love, Death & Robots. The film has already sparked interest among fans, who analyse every detail for hints about the game’s universe.
While Marathon already looks visually stunning and full of potential, it’s entering a difficult market. Many recent multiplayer shooters have failed to find long-term success. Recently, Concord, another shooter from a PlayStation studio, was taken offline within weeks of launch, and its studio was shut down. Spectre Divide, a free-to-play shooter like Valorant, also closed down shortly after release. These recent setbacks in the genre put even more pressure on Bungie to deliver something fresh and lasting.
One major question remains: how much will Marathon cost? Bungie has confirmed that the game will not be free-to-play, but they haven’t shared any specific pricing information yet. Fans hope for a clear and simple pricing model, especially considering how Destiny 2’s mix of free and paid content has confused new players over the years.
With so much riding on Marathon, the upcoming alpha test could be Bungie’s chance to prove the game can stand out from popular titles like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Escape from Tarkov. Whether it succeeds or not, one thing’s sure—it will be one of the year’s most closely watched game launches.
