In an exciting announcement, Bungie has unveiled Marathon, a vibrant and innovative entry into the extraction shooter genre. This game takes inspiration from Escape from Tarkov, but with Bungie's distinctive twist that promises to deliver a thrilling experience filled with surprises. Scheduled for release later this year, Marathon is generating considerable buzz among gaming enthusiasts.
During a recent Bungie livestream on April 12, the studio showcased a new gameplay trailer, providing an in-depth overview of how Marathon operates. The event featured a cinematic short directed by Alberto Mielgo, known for his work on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which explored the game's dark themes revolving around corporations cloning gig workers and subjecting them to relentless chaos for incremental gains. Narrated by the charismatic Ben Starr, the presentation culminated in an official release date of September 23 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, complete with full cross-play functionality.
In Marathon, players assume the role of a cybernetic mercenary known as a runner. Your mission is to take contracts that involve scavenging the remnants of a lost colony on Tau Ceti IV. The gameplay is designed as PvPvE, where players must contend with both AI-controlled UESC security forces and other players while looting facilities and completing objectives. Successful extractions enable players to power up and add new gear to their vault, while dying on the surface results in the permanent loss of that gear.
The structure of Marathon is reminiscent of popular extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov, but with unique features. Players can form squads of three or choose to play solo, with up to 18 players appearing in a single map. Each match has a time limit that encourages swift action, and unpredictable weather and random events intensify the challenge. Loot extracted can be saved for future missions, but if lost during a team wipe, it is gone forever.
At the heart of Marathon is Bungie's renowned gunplay, expected to deliver an exhilarating first-person shooter experience. While maintaining the signature feel of Destiny 2, Marathon introduces new tactical elements suitable for its battle royale-style gameplay. Players will be downed instead of outright killed, featuring a revive system that keeps the action alive. Additionally, “sponsored packages” from various corporate factions will provide essential loadouts, ensuring competitiveness among players.
Marathon features four distinct runner characters—Locus, Blackbird, Glitch, and Void—each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. Players can expect a plethora of customization options, including implants, weapon attachments, and character-specific stats. For example, players might equip toxins to inflict damage or upgrades to bolster resistance, adding a layer of strategy to team compositions.
Player progression in Marathon is designed to be account-wide rather than tied to specific classes. Faction ranks grant access to various upgrades and black market items, all acquired using in-game currency. Beyond individual matches, players can participate in endgame challenges, ranked play, and community events. Notably, Marathon will reset players’ vaults at the end of each season, promoting a level playing field but potentially alienating casual players.
As Bungie's first new project in over a decade, Marathon faces significant challenges, particularly following the underperformance of Destiny 2. Recent changes in leadership and the competitive landscape of multiplayer gaming heighten the stakes for this ambitious title. However, if Marathon can capture players' attention like Helldivers 2, it may carve out a niche for itself in the extraction shooter market.
For those eager to experience Marathon firsthand, a closed alpha test is scheduled to commence on April 23. With its intriguing premise and promising gameplay mechanics, Marathon is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world. As we anticipate its release, the excitement continues to build around Bungie's latest creation.
