- Primary Subject: Marathon (2026)
- Key Update: Bungie pivots the classic franchise into a premium extraction shooter with a heavy focus on evolving player-driven lore.
- Status: Confirmed (Releasing March 5, 2026)
- Last Verified: March 2, 2026
- Quick Answer: Marathon launches March 5, 2026, as a $40 premium extraction shooter. It features 3-player squads, seven playable characters, and six distinct factions.
From Helldivers 2 to ARC Raiders, it seems extraction games are going through a much-deserved renaissance period, and Bungie's soon-to-release Marathon is an ode to that.
For OG gamers, Marathon might ring a bell. The first installment in the franchise was released in 1994, and the series was put on hold after the release of Marathon Infinity in 1996. That means it's been 20 years since a new game was released as part of the Marathon universe, and it's getting an upgraded gameplay system.
But is the new-look Marathon worth the hype? Let's break it down and take a look.
Marathon's Gameplay Is a Stand-Out
Let's talk about the most important thing when it comes to shooter games: the gameplay. Marathon is a first-person multiplayer extraction shooter. Dubbed as a sci-fi PvPvE game, each match has players deployed in a shared environment, scouting for loot, and attempting to successfully extract while avoiding elimination from enemy players.
But it's not just players you need to watch out for. You can be taken out by environmental threats, different obstacles, and AI-controlled enemies. If you are taken out, you lose all the items you had previously obtained. However, if you successfully extract, you can use those items for future matches.
These all seem pretty basic, and honestly, it didn't wow me at first. But what makes Marathon stand out from other shooter games is how the lore is vital to the gameplay; while other games have lore as something to get into on the side, the story of Marathon is an essential part of the game.
Marathon has an evolving narrative, shaped by the decisions the players make and the actions they ultimately take. Here, you can select from one of six factions to work for, each with unique missions and rewards. If you help someone from a different faction, you can be credited for helping them with a mission. You can play as seven different playable characters, each with their own abilities that make the gameplay and the world-building more fun. It feels like a mesh of a visual novel and a shooter, and I'm down for it.
Marathon Is An Extraction Game Made For Sweaty Players
Though I love the lore building, one thing that makes Marathon a hit-or-miss game for some is the lack of a solo-only mode, and as someone who loves kicking back and playing games online (or even with randoms), this is a shame. It's feasible with other extraction shooter games like Delta Force, but that's not the case for Marathon.
While technically you can go in alone, you are immediately at a competitive disadvantage if you queue solo or as a duo. The game is built to accommodate three-player teams, with each match having six teams against each other.
In Marathon, it's kill or be killed. The moment you see an enemy team, it's on sight. Playing as a full stack will mean the game will last longer, and since you can revive downed teammates, the chances of winning when queued with a full team are higher.
So, if you want to play Marathon, you'd better make sure you have friends to play with for peak fun times.
The Visuals Of Marathon Are S-Tier
What first caught my eye about Marathon was the graphics. Traditional shooter games are usually so monochrome - black, white, grey... just sad colors. But not Marathon.
There's something about the colors in Marathon that makes it look arcade-like. Bungie definitely wasn't afraid to use neon in their maps, and their trailer featured bright yellow, teal, orange, pink - so many vibrant colors. And when you shoot enemy players, they almost light up and become translucent.
The same can be said about the guns. Instead of sticking with plain, silver, or grey weapons, you can customize your loadout to be as decked out as you want. As a player who loves being able to make each piece my own, this is a win in my book.
Of course, you won't be getting these pretty skins for free - you'll have to make in-app purchases or obtain them via challenges. Since skins and making my gun pink won't give me any actual skill buffs, this isn't a problem for me. After all, if you don't want to spend on cosmetics, you aren't forced to. But hopefully, there will be chances for players to get a free skin sometimes.
So, Should You Be Excited for Marathon?
I think Marathon is a game worth being hyped for. The gameplay is still loyal to an extraction shooter, but the addition of the lore being intertwined into the game makes it especially noteworthy. It's definitely a game made to be sweated over, but with a full team, I can see this being a staple for late-night gaming with friends. However, if you're like me and want to solo queue, you might have a hard time doing that here.
My biggest gripe is that price tag - Marathon isn't free. It's $40 (and if you're planning to buy skins, well... that adds up QUICK). Will I be buying it? Yes, but I'm afraid that the game not being free-to-play might make the initial player base small. This might make queuing up take longer; it also makes me wonder if it'll be possible to have six teams in a match during the first few days of launch.
Marathon will officially launch on March 5, 2026, on Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Only then will we know if Bungie's new game will live up to players' expectations.
For more like this, stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com, the best website for gaming news, reviews, features, and guides.