Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Latest coverage
We Spent 10 Hours Playing Marathon: What We Loved (and Hated) About Bungie's New Sci-Fi Shooter
This preview of Bungie's upcoming sci-fi shooter Marathon offers a glimpse into the first 10 hours of gameplay, highlighting both positive and negative aspects. The author also provides advice on how to use game reviews to inform purchasing decisions, emphasizing the importance of trusting specific reviewers and outlets.
Shack Chat: What Shell do you main in Marathon?
The Shack Staff discusses their preferred character classes, or 'shells,' in the newly released game Marathon. This opinion piece invites readers to share their own favorite choices.
Marathon’s Increased Audio Range of Player Gunfire Was “An Overcorrection,” Bungie Working on Fixes
Bungie is working on fixes for Marathon's increased audio range for player gunfire, acknowledging it was an "overcorrection" that led to excessive chaos. Future updates will adjust the range to maintain situational awareness without being overwhelming. The developer is also planning long-term PC improvements and has increased stack sizes for ammo and salvage in the Vault.
Marathon's next update will help your vault feel roomier, and Bungie outlines their plans for higher-end PCs
Bungie is releasing update 1.0.5 for Marathon next week, which will increase vault space by allowing greater stack quantities of consumables, ammo, salvage, and grenades, and add new vault filters for keys and backpacks. The developer also plans to adjust proximity chat audio distance and is outlining long-term improvements for high-spec PCs, alongside a near-term guide to optimize current hardware.
Arc Raiders and Marathon Finally Taught Me to Let Go of My Loot
The author reflects on their experiences with extraction shooters Arc Raiders and Marathon, concluding that the core gameplay loop teaches players to detach from collected loot. This lesson is learned through repeated failed attempts to retain items after unsuccessful runs.
Arc Raiders and Marathon Finally Taught Me to Let Go of My Loot
The author expresses disappointment with the development focus for Arc Raiders and Marathon, suggesting that resources are being misallocated to features like AI voices and temporary mutations instead of core elements like "arc, weapons, and maps." The article argues that updates should prioritize fundamental gameplay improvements over cosmetic or transient additions to ensure the longevity of the games.
Something for the Weekend – 14/03/26
This week's gaming news includes updates on Resident Evil Requiem DLC, Fortnite Save the World going free-to-play, Epic Games increasing V-Bucks prices, and layoffs at EA's Battlefield Studios. New releases and DLCs like Dave the Diver: In the Jungle, Adorable Adventures, and Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core are also highlighted, alongside a closed beta for Tropico 7. Reviews were published for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, Laysara: Summit Kingdom, and Fatal Frame II: The Crimson Butterfly Remake, among others. Early impressions of Bungie's Marathon and Ready or Not's Boiling Point DLC were shared, along with an interview about Rainbow Six Mobile.
I'm slowly trying to reverse-engineer Marathon's incredible art style - and have come to realise why I love it
This article analyzes the distinctive art style of the game Marathon, exploring how its layered aesthetic, inspired by various sources like Iceland landscapes, global supply chains, and retro-futuristic designs, creates a unique and coherent visual experience. The author details how elements from different inspirations are combined to evoke a sense of complex logistics and manufacturing within the game's surreal sci-fi setting.
What are we all playing this weekend?
Several individuals share their weekend gaming plans, with mentions of Resident Evil 4 remake, Marathon, and Hades 2. Others are focused on setting up new offices, reading comics, or contemplating factory automation games like Factorio Space Age and Shapez 2.
What we've been playing - "I have learned the hard way that trusting others is a suckers game"
Several staff members share their current gaming habits, with Pokémon Pokopia being a popular choice on the Nintendo Switch, though some players are employing time-travel tactics to speed through its content. Other titles discussed include Vampire Survivors, Slay the Spire 2, Solasta, Super Mario Party Jamboree, and Marathon, with players reflecting on co-op experiences and the emergent behaviors in competitive online games.
Marathon Review In Progress: Just getting started
The review for Marathon indicates that the game has a lot of potential, with many positive aspects. The author suggests that with continued support from Sony and some polishing, Marathon could become a standout title.
Marathon Launch Review: Bungies extraction shooter is a hostile beast worth taming | VGC
Bungie's new extraction shooter, Marathon, is described as both alluring and unforgiving. The game presents a challenging experience within its genre.
Marathon Review In Progress: Just getting started
This review of Marathon is in its early stages, with the author focusing on the broader context of gamer reactions to game development and live service titles. The piece criticizes what it perceives as excessive negativity and hate directed towards various games, regardless of their single-player or live service nature.
Marathon Launch Review: Bungie’s extraction shooter is a hostile beast worth taming | VGC
Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, is described as a hostile but rewarding experience. The article touches on the broader gaming landscape, criticizing excessive negativity towards both live service and single-player titles, and uses examples like Destiny, God of War, and The Last of Us to illustrate points about game development and player reception.
PS5's Coolest Collection of Controllers and Console Covers Are Out Now
Sony has released a new "Hyperpop" collection of accessories for the PlayStation 5, including DualSense controllers and PS5 Slim console covers in Techno Red, Remix Green, and Rhythm Blue. This follows recent launches of Genshin Impact and Marathon-themed controllers, highlighting Sony's focus on expanding its accessory market for increased profit from existing PS5 owners.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
Bungie has acknowledged that a recent audio change in the upcoming game Marathon was an "overcorrection" and plans to revert it in a future update. The developer admitted the change negatively impacted the player experience.
Marathon's murderous audio change was an 'overcorrection,' Bungie admits, promises to pull it back in an…
Bungie has acknowledged that a recent audio change in Marathon, which increased the hearing range of gunfire and explosions, was an 'overcorrection.' The developer plans to adjust the audio settings in an upcoming update to provide a more comfortable and intuitive player experience while still allowing players to hear nearby actions.
Arc Raiders Boss Says Bungie Did a 'Really Good Job' Addressing Feedback After 'Heavily Criticized' Marathon Playtest - IGN
Embark Studios CEO Patrick Söderlund praised Bungie for effectively addressing player feedback on their upcoming game Marathon. Söderlund noted that despite initial criticism of Marathon's technical test, the Bungie team rapidly improved the game, which he finds unusual and commendable. He also commented on the differences between Marathon and Embark's own game, Arc Raiders, highlighting Marathon's PvP focus.
Marathon Review – Runner’s High
Marathon offers an engaging extraction shooter experience with tight gunplay and a compelling mystery, despite some UI and reward system drawbacks. The game's rogue-like narrative structure and faction-based progression encourage repeated runs, even after significant gear loss. While not for everyone, its unique blend of tactical gameplay and unpredictable encounters makes it a fun, albeit punishing, experience.
Best Marathon faction upgrades and how to unlock them
This guide details the best faction upgrades in Marathon, focusing on those from CyberAcme, NuCaloric, and Sekiguchi for early-game benefits and essential Armory items. It explains how to unlock these upgrades by increasing faction rank through contracts and meeting salvage requirements, noting that progress resets seasonally.
