Bungie has officially unveiled Marathon, a highly anticipated first-person shooter that marks a return to the studio’s roots. Prior to achieving fame with the Halo franchise, Bungie made its mark in the FPS genre with titles such as Pathways Into Darkness and the original Marathon trilogy. After dedicating over a decade to the Destiny series, the company is reviving its legacy with this new iteration of Marathon.
For years, fans eagerly awaited more information about Bungie’s Marathon. Following the conclusion of Destiny 2’s main narrative with the Final Shape expansion last year, many speculated that Marathon was ready to take center stage. Now, that anticipation is rewarded as Bungie reveals crucial insights about the game, including important details regarding its release date.
Release Date for Marathon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZRGDZCl9pg
- Launch Date: September 23
At its core, Marathon is designed as an extraction shooter. Players will select from six “runners,”or playable characters, and form teams of three to navigate vibrant maps filled with hostile NPCs and rival players. While the player count can vary depending on the map, the Dire Marsh stage—highlighted in recent gameplay demonstrations—accommodates up to 18 players in one match. The primary objective is to gather loot and successfully evacuate the area.
Differing from many contemporary shooters, Marathon boasts a vivid and colorful art style. Players will have access to an array of weapons and unique abilities to eliminate opponents. The gameplay appears reminiscent of Bungie’s signature gunplay associated with their previous titles like Destiny. Early impressions suggest that fans can anticipate an engaging combat experience that underscores the studio’s commitment to high-quality gameplay.
Despite the excitement surrounding Marathon, skepticism does exist within the gaming community. Some comments on the trailer draw comparisons to Sony’s unsuccessful live-service title, Concord. While it remains too early to determine if Marathon will meet fans’ expectations, players won’t have to wait until September 23 to experience gameplay. A closed alpha will occur on April 23, allowing select participants to test the game ahead of its official release.