The appealing shooter Marathon by Bungie will be released on September 23.
A closed alpha test will be held in April.
The developers of Halo and Destiny are ready to unveil their next big project: Marathon. This highly anticipated title from Bungie revives the classic IP of Marathon in a new version of a PvPvE extraction game. Following a teaser shown almost two years ago, the Sony-owned studio dedicated an hour to demonstrating the gameplay and mechanics, announcing that it will be released on September 23 for PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC, with full support for cross-play and data transfer. Additionally, an alpha test will be held this month for fans to experience the game before its full debut.
Marathon takes place in a sci-fi universe in the year 2850, specifically on the remnants of Tau Ceti IV, a location Bungie describes as a lost colony with vanished inhabitants. Rival factions hire Runners to seek out what has been left behind, and those who enlist as Runners abandon their human form for a biosynthetic body with unique abilities and statistics.
As a Runner, players fight in teams of up to three in various zones and points of interest. They will face other Runners on maps capable of hosting up to 18 players, meaning there can be up to six teams competing to collect as much loot as possible and escape. While Marathon is designed for team play, solo play is also allowed without the need to form a group of three.
During matches, there will be what Bungie refers to as security forces, PvE enemies that roam the world. Additionally, there are creatures on the planets that pose a threat while navigating toward objectives on the map. Players will have to decide whether it's worth confronting these enemies and risking revealing their position to other teams, or if it's wiser to avoid them in this PvPvE environment.
The maps are filled with vibrant and bold art, as well as weapons, materials, and gear that can be collected. Before each match, players will be able to build their loadout and select the Runner that best suits their play style. During the alpha test, scheduled to begin on April 23, there will be four Runners available, including a character named Void who can become invisible, similar to a Hunter in Destiny 2.
Players will also be able to choose a Runner named Glitch, who has speed skills and, as the name suggests, can alter enemies. For players who prefer a more aggressive approach, Locus has a shield ability, akin to the slide and shotgun gameplay of a Titan in Destiny 2. Finally, Blackbird will focus on reconnaissance and area exploration. While there will be four Runners available in the alpha test, it’s expected that six will be available at the launch of Marathon in September.
During a live broadcast, Bungie presented a nearly 20-minute video showcasing highlights from 40 creators they recently invited to test the game. If a mission is failed, the equipment will be lost, but if a player survives, the loot will be retained for future matches, allowing them to obtain better gear and level up. Teammates will also have the ability to revive a player if they fail to complete the mission.
There will be no limits on team compositions, meaning all three members of a team can select the same Runner. Additionally, endgame challenges, ranking matches, seasonal narratives, community events, and more will be included. Bungie has created an original cinematic short set in the Marathon universe, written and directed by Alberto Mielgo. This short, which runs for nearly nine minutes, promises to keep fans busy trying to uncover all the details of the Marathon world.
Although Marathon has an appealing design, the game faces significant pressure as it enters a market saturated with shooters and live-service games, where many have failed in recent years. Recent examples of games that failed to take off include Concord and Spectre Divide, which further raises the stakes for Marathon, given Bungie's successful track record with Halo and Destiny and the recent cuts in Sony's live-service gaming efforts.
The alpha test will provide Bungie with the opportunity to showcase how their new game will stand out against the competition and whether it can attract players from other genres to the trending extraction shooter style popularized by Escape from Tarkov. One unanswered question remains: the cost of Marathon. While it won't be a free game, Bungie has yet to reveal the exact pricing information. Destiny 2 is technically free, but many additional features require payment. Bungie is expected to clarify its pricing structure for Marathon before launch.
Marathon will be available on September 23 for PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC.