Bungie unveiled the first gameplay footage of Marathon marking the studio’s return to the Marathon universe with a bold reimagining of the classic 1990s franchise. now presented as a high-stakes, sci-fi extraction shooter. Set on the mysterious planet Tau Ceti IV in the year 2850, players assume the roles of cybernetic mercenaries known as “Runners,” navigating a treacherous environment filled with both human and alien threats.  The game is set to launch on September 23, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, featuring full cross-play and cross-save support. 

Marathon blends elements of player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) within an extraction shooter framework. Players can engage solo or in teams of three, with up to 18 participants per match, depending on the map. The primary objective is to scavenge valuable artifacts, data, and gear from the environment and successfully extract them. However, failure to extract results in the loss of all collected items, emphasizing a high-risk, high-reward dynamic. 

At launch, six distinct Runners will be available, each offering unique abilities and playstyles. The alpha test will feature four of these: Locus, Blackbird, Glitch, and Void. Players can customize their loadouts based on previous rewards, and progression is tied to successful extractions and faction contracts. 

Locus – The Assault Specialist 

• Prime Ability: Search and Destroy – Likely focuses on aggressive engagement, enabling Locus to excel in direct confrontations.  

• Tactical Ability: Riot Barricade – Deploys a temporary barrier, providing cover or controlling enemy movement.  

• Traits: 

• Thruster – Enhances mobility, allowing quick repositioning during combat.  

• Tactical Sprint – Grants bursts of speed, useful for closing gaps or retreating.  

Locus is tailored for players who prefer a frontline role, combining offensive capabilities with mobility to dominate in direct engagements.  

Blackbird – The Recon Expert 

• Prime Ability: Echo Pulse – Possibly reveals enemy positions, aiding in strategic planning.  

• Tactical Ability: Tracker Drone – Deploys a drone to scout areas, providing real-time intelligence.  

• Traits: 

• Interrogation – May extract information from defeated foes, revealing enemy locations.  

• Stalker Protocol – Enhances stealth capabilities, allowing for silent movement.  

Blackbird is ideal for players who value information gathering and strategic positioning, supporting the team by exposing threats and planning ambushes.  

Glitch – The Disruption Specialist 

• Prime Ability: Amplify – Potentially boosts the effectiveness of equipment or abilities, enhancing combat prowess.  

• Tactical Ability: Disruptor – Likely interferes with enemy systems, hindering their capabilities.  

• Traits: 

• Microjets – Provides enhanced aerial mobility, allowing for dynamic movement.  

• Power Slide – Enables rapid sliding maneuvers, useful for evasion or repositioning.  

Glitch suits players who enjoy high mobility and disrupting enemy strategies, using speed and interference to create chaos on the battlefield.  

Void – The Stealth Operative 

• Prime Ability: Smoke Screen – Deploys a cloud to obscure vision, facilitating escapes or surprise attacks.  

• Tactical Ability: Active Camo – Grants temporary invisibility, perfect for infiltration or evasion.  

• Traits: 

• Shadow Dive – Allows for silent, rapid descents, ideal for ambushes.  

• Shroud – Possibly reduces detectability, enhancing stealth.  

Void is designed for players who prefer stealth and precision, excelling in infiltration, reconnaissance, and surprise engagements. 

The remaining two Runners have yet to be revealed, but speculation suggests they may fulfill support roles, such as healing or providing defensive capabilities. 

The game world is designed to be dynamic, featuring variable weather conditions and unpredictable events that ensure each match feels unique. Bungie plans to implement a seasonal narrative structure, where player actions influence the evolving story. This approach aims to create a living world that responds to the community’s collective decisions. 

The game’s art direction, led by Joseph Cross, showcases a vibrant and stylized aesthetic. Community reactions have been mixed, with some praising the visual style and others expressing concerns about its distinctiveness. Despite differing opinions on the art, many agree that Bungie’s signature gunplay remains a strong point. 

Alpha Test Details 

A closed alpha test is scheduled to run from April 23 to May 4, 2025. Interested players must join the official Marathon Discord server and complete a survey for a chance to participate. The alpha will include two maps—Perimeter and Dire Marsh—and will serve as a technical test, with all progress wiped before the full release