Marathon FPS Finally Launches
Bungie's hotly anticipated first-person shooter Marathon is now available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The revival of the classic franchise features a free-to-play model, extraction gameplay, and robust crossplay/cross-save functionality. Survival guides are already live to help new players navigate the persistent progression system and seasonal structure.
The new "Marathon" is a revival of Bungie's very first first-person shooter, which debuted in 1994 exclusively for the Apple Macintosh. The original trilogy was known for its intricate storytelling through in-game computer terminals, a stark contrast to the more action-focused shooters of its time. It introduced concepts like rampant AIs and is considered a spiritual predecessor to Bungie's later blockbuster, "Halo". This modern reimagining shifts genres from a story-driven single-player experience to a player-versus-player extraction shooter, a genre popularized by games like "Escape from Tarkov". Players take on the roles of "Runners," cybernetic mercenaries, dropping onto the planet Tau Ceti IV to battle other players and AI-controlled enemies for valuable loot before making a successful escape. The central mystery revolves around the fate of the 30,000 colonists who vanished from Tau Ceti IV. The narrative, which will unfold through in-game seasons, tasks players with uncovering what happened to the lost colony while completing contracts for various factions. This story will be delivered through a persistent world that evolves based on player actions. Development of the new "Marathon" is being led by Game Director Joe Ziegler, who previously directed "Valorant" for Riot Games. He replaced the project's former director, Christopher Barrett, a long-time Bungie veteran who worked on "Destiny" and "Halo". The game is set in 2893, nearly a century after the events of the original "Marathon" games. Players will explore a world where a massive ghost ship, the UESC Marathon, hangs in orbit above the lost colony, holding the promise of the best loot and answers to the planet's mysteries. Bungie has confirmed that all gameplay-affecting content, such as new maps, Runner shells, and gear, will be released for free as part of the seasonal updates. The seasonal structure is designed to last approximately three months per season, with each introducing new narrative elements and evolving the world of Tau Ceti IV.
