| Marathon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
In Marathon, players explore a lost colony and extract valuable resources. Read on to learn how it plays, what it's about, and everything else we know so far.
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Marathon Gameplay
In Marathon, players assume the role of mercenaries known as "Runners." using cybernetic "Shells" to scavenge the planet of Tau Ceti IV for themselves. The game is classified as a player-versus-player (PvP) extraction shooter with a mix of player-versus-environment (PvE). The goal of the game is to extract as many valuable resources as possible without succumbing to other rival players or the myriad AI threats in the planet.
What sets Marathon apart from other extraction shooters is in its Runner "Shells". Simply put, these are Marathon’s version of classes that players can pick depending on their playstyle.
For example, the Assassin shell excels at stealth, using smoke abilities to slip past opponents undetected, while the Destroyer shell provides defensive support, shielding both itself and allies during firefights. Other Runners focus on mobility: Vandal can boost movement speed for rapid engagement or retreat, and Thief uses a grappling hook to traverse the map quickly or reach elevated positions. This combination of tactical planning, team synergy, and specialized abilities makes every run a unique test of skill and strategy.
Marathon also allows players to "buildcraft" or endlessly customize their Runner for any situation and playstyle. This includes customizing implants and Shell cores to temporarily enhance stats and weapon mods to customize weapon damage.
Runner Shells
Runner Shells are customizable character archetypes that players can use to gain access to unique, shell-specific abilities, much like a class system in other games. These shells will have different abilities that work best with a specific playstyle. Currently, there are 7 main Runner Shells available at launch.
⚫︎ Recon - A shell designed for hunting enemies and providing intel to the rest of the team.
⚫︎ Assassin - Ideal for flanking enemies and getting out scot-free using their various smoke and invisibility abilities.
⚫︎ Destroyer - The designated Tank role of Marathon. It is an ideal class for players who want to go in guns blazing and protect allies with their shield.
⚫︎ Triage - The ultimate support runner in Marathon. It can revive and heal allies using its variety of gadgets.
⚫︎ Thief - Dubbed by Bungie as the "Loot Goblin" fantasy, this shell is built for players who enjoy looting rather than fighting.
⚫︎ Vandal - Ideal for players who want to always be on the move thanks to its variety of movement speed options.
⚫︎ Rook - Marathon’s version of "Free Loadout". This shell can only be played while going out solo and can’t be equipped with vault loadouts. It is intended for a risk-free run.
The Heat System
One unique feature of Marathon is its singular resource called "Heat", which functions both as a stamina system and an environmental risk mechanic. Players must constantly monitor Heat, as it directly affects ability usage, movement speed, and overall survivability.
The Heat System is designed to increase gameplay tension and discourage over-aggressive playstyles. Every time a player’s Shell sprints or uses abilities, the Heat meter rises, putting them at risk of vulnerability through reduced movement and slower health regeneration.
Environmental effects across Marathon’s maps also influence Heat. For example, the "Heat Cascade" is a hazardous event where fiery particles rain down, damaging players who remain exposed. Prolonged exposure not only increases Heat but also diminishes health, making careful navigation essential.
Players have several ways to mitigate Heat. Simply avoiding sprinting or ability usage allows Heat to gradually decrease. Consumable items like "Cardio Kick" reduce Heat generation while boosting agility, and certain passive cores, such as "Ankle Breakers," exclusive to the Destroyer Shell, lower Heat generated by thruster usage when enemies are nearby. Managing Heat effectively is a key aspect of strategy in Marathon, balancing aggression with survival and tactical decision-making.
Marathon Story
Marathon is not a direct continuation of the original Marathon trilogy from the 1990s; however, it carries forward several thematic and conceptual ties to the earlier games. The new entry retains the classic sci-fi elements and the presence of advanced, often rogue AIs, notably Durandal, an iconic character from the classics.
Its first-person shooter combat echoes the fast-paced action of the originals, but with significantly improved detail, mechanics, and quality-of-life features compared to its boomer shooter predecessors.
Specific story details remain under wraps, as Bungie has not implemented a full single-player narrative experience at launch. Players can still uncover pieces of Marathon lore through environmental storytelling, collectibles, and Codex entries scattered across the game’s maps. Over time, seasonal updates will expand the story, allowing players to gradually piece together the overarching lore of Tau Ceti IV and uncover the mysteries behind the Marathon universe.
Setting
Marathon is set on Tau Ceti IV, a once-thriving human colony that has now fallen into ruin. The planet has become a desolate wasteland, populated by hostile enemies, environmental hazards, and abandoned buildings. Despite its decay, Tau Ceti IV remains rich with valuable resources, which is why Runners use cybernetic shells to safely scavenge and extract items without risking their original bodies.
Hovering above the planet lies the wreckage of the UESC Marathon, the colony’s eponymous ship, originally designed as humanity’s last hope for successful colonization.
A short film directed by Alberto Mielgo, known for the acclaimed Love, Death + Robots episode, Jibaro, and The Witness, provides a visual glimpse into the colony’s downfall, offering brief snapshots of life on Tau Ceti IV before its 30,000 inhabitants vanished mysteriously.
It remains unclear whether alien factions from the original trilogy will appear at launch, but trailers suggest that players may eventually encounter the S’pht or Pfhor. This is especially likely in the endgame map, set aboard the derelict Marathon space station, where remnants of these classic alien factions are rumored to reside.
Marathon Characters
Triage
Triage is a combat medic Runner Shell that can shock its teammates back to life using arm-mounted tendrils, provide shields and additional health using medi drones, enhance weapons’ capabilities by overcharging their gauntlet capacitors, and clone any consumables used over to teammates with drones.
A Triage worked with a Thief and Destroyer in the cinematic "In Death We’ve Just Begun" where it slowly formed a bond of trust with the former, who would eventually betray them. It stayed behind to try to save the Destroyer before a mysterious entity killed it.
Thief
Thief is a looter Runner Shell that can scan its surroundings for containers and enemies through walls, deploy a whip-equipped drone that can knock and retrieve loot out of enemies, as well as go on aerial recon, and use a grappling hook. Its various skills’ recharge rate, base handling, and stats will go up with the amount of loot it carries.
A Thief partnered with a Triage and Destroyer in the cinematic "In Death We’ve Just Begun", where it warmed up to the former and saved it from death numerous times. It would eventually betray the two and leave them for dead at the hands of a mysterious entity.
Rook
Rook is a solo-only scavenger Runner Shell designed to join mid-match and take as many items as they can to fill the player’s vault for future skirmishes. It can mask itself as one of the UESC forces to avoid being perceived as an enemy.
Vandal
Vandal is an agile Runner Shell capable of double jumps via micro jets and power slides. Its arm can unfold into a gun barrel to knock people out of cover or buildings.
Marathon’s "Reveal Cinematic Short" showed a Vandal, through numerous cycles, slowly losing its memories. It picked up the Assassin’s music device before its owner chased it out to its death. Having lost its lucky charm and childhood photo, the fate of its memories remains unknown.
Destroyer
Destroyer is an aggressive and brutal Runner Shell who wears a modified version of the Mjolnir armour from the original Marathon trilogy. It can sprint or evade fast using its leg thrusters, construct a riot barricade, deploy shoulder-mounted heat-seeking missile pods, and immobilize enemies by locking targets with sustained fire.
A Destroyer accompanied a Triage and Thief in the cinematic "In Death We’ve Just Begun" and often acted as their protector before it was abandoned to die together with the former.
Recon
Recon is a hunter Runner Shell, a fierce tracker capable of finding and taking down Assassins. It can slow down targets using an exploding spider drone, scan areas for AI and other players, see enemy footprints after destroying their shields, and get alerted when it's been spotted by an enemy.
In Marathon’s "Reveal Cinematic Short", it expressed its curiosity over what happened to humanity after asking to borrow Assassin’s music device. A squad formed by a Vandal, Thief, and Triage shot it before it could properly return the device to its owner.
Assassin
Assassin is a backline infiltrator Runner Shell, and can negate fall damage, go invisible, and deploy a smoke shroud. Marathon’s "Reveal Cinematic Short" followed an Assassin and centered around a music-playing device it picked up during its excavation with a Recon and a Destroyer. It formed a strong attachment to the device, going so far as to chase a Vandal that took it.
Factions
Factions in Marathon are powerful human corporate and ideological groups that exploit the ruined Tau Ceti IV. They hire the Runners to complete contracts across the planet. Six factions are currently present:
⚫︎ CyberAcme – The basic faction of every Runner, this Tech Giant offers an assortment of weapons, items, and resources for players, including upgrading Vault spaces.
⚫︎ Arachne – A cult-like faction offering PvP contracts, encouraging Runners to hunt rival teams.
⚫︎ Sekiguchi Genetics – A biotech faction that offers a multitude of Runner cores to temporarily boost their abilities.
⚫︎ MIDA – A faction rooted in revolution and anarchy, rewarding players with disruptive firepowerl like grenades and claymores.
⚫︎ Traxus – One of the wealthiest conglomerates on Tau Ceti IV, offering rare gear and valuable mods for weapons for Runners.
⚫︎ NuCaloric – A megacorporation specializing in agriculture and long-term resource control. Their role is to offer healing resources to players.
Players increase their rank with a faction by completing contracts and successfully exfiltrating with collected resources. After being offered a contract, a player must meet the faction’s agent and accept the mission terms before proceeding.
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