Marathon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Marathon across the outlets.
Latest coverage
There is nothing like Marathon's Cryo Archive map
The Cryo Archive map in Bungie's Marathon offers a unique and complex PvPvE experience that sets it apart from other competitive shooter maps. This labyrinthine endgame zone features a "Security Clearance" mechanic that gates progression, requiring players to loot bots, hack terminals, or steal tags to unlock new areas. While intense PvP encounters occur in the central Control chamber, the map's massive scale and short sightlines often limit engagements to one team at a time, allowing for exploration and looting of valuable gear.
How to extract from Cryo Archive in Marathon
This guide explains how to successfully extract from the Cryo Archive in Marathon, a critical process for retaining gear and loot. Players must reach Security Clearance Level 3, find and use an Exfil Station to reveal a Secret Exfil beacon, and then reach it within a three-and-a-half-minute timer. Failure to meet these requirements may necessitate finding a hidden Final Exfil beacon.
Roadmaps and Plans
The director of Marathon has indicated that the development team will explore ways to make the Cryo Archive raid more accessible in the endgame. Separately, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has revealed its roadmap for 2026, following mixed reviews on Steam.
Marathon review – Joy, pain, and bountiful loot in a dark sci-fi future
Marathon, Bungie's new extraction shooter, offers slick gunplay and deep world-building but is a niche experience for hardcore PvP players. While the game's unique art style and satisfying combat are praised, its steep learning curve and punishing nature may deter some players. Despite potential challenges, the game provides a rewarding experience for those who invest the time, with well-designed maps and engaging endgame content.
How to exfil from Cryo Archive - Marathon
This guide explains how to successfully exfiltrate from the Cryo Archive map in Marathon. Extracting from this particular map is noted as being more complex than other locations within the game.
After a very fun, but very frustrating, first weekend, Bungie is considering tweaking Marathon's Cryo Archive
Bungie is considering changes to Marathon's Cryo Archive mode based on player feedback from its first weekend. Key discussion points include making the mode available outside of weekends, ensuring essential subroutines drop from solved vaults, and providing options for solo players. Game director Joe Ziegler acknowledged the feedback and stated the team will discuss potential iterations.
Bungie is 'Watching and Ingesting' Your Feedback About Marathon's Cryo Archive And Looking at 'Solutions' For Players Who Can't Get On During the Weekend
Bungie is actively monitoring player feedback regarding the Cryo Archive mode in their upcoming game, Marathon. The developer is also investigating solutions for players experiencing issues accessing the game during weekends.
BF6 gets a new for fun mode called Shell Shocked, that wasn’t on the roadmap either
EA has surprise-released a new 32-player mode for Battlefield 6 called Shell Shocked, which was not previously on the game's roadmap. The mode features 4 defenders preparing for a minute before facing 28 attackers armed with defibrillators for melee kills, with defenders using sidearms. This new mode aims to add more content for players and leverage user-generated content possibilities within the live service framework.
Bungie Is Listening As Marathon Players Push For Solo Play And Better Scheduling In Cryo Archive
Bungie is actively listening to player feedback regarding the endgame activity Cryo Archive in Marathon. Game director Joe Ziegler confirmed the studio is reviewing suggestions for improvements, including the possibility of solo play and adjustments to the weekend-only schedule. The team is also considering making Subroutines a guaranteed drop and addressing player concerns about enemy range.
PEGI Recording Drama: Too Much Work for Too Little Euro... | TAG
A glitch in Pokémon FireRed on the Nintendo Switch 2 may wipe save files from other games, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario titles. In other news, the racing game Screamer is praised for its unique anime-infused arcade style, while Minecraft's Chaos Cubed update introduces a dynamic Sulfur Cube. The voice behind PEGI age rating recordings revealed he was paid only €200, and Marathon's new endgame dungeon offers a challenging RPG experience. Bethesda acknowledges improvements in handling DLC pop-ups, and Crimson Desert faces scrutiny over potential AI-generated art with missing fingers and merged figures.
Games Inbox: Is Marathon worth playing?
Readers discuss various gaming topics, including Bungie's time-limited Marathon event, the effectiveness of game advertising for titles like World of Warcraft and Fortnite, and skepticism towards pre-ordering Crimson Desert. There's also a comparison of PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch sales, with a preference for the PS5 for AAA titles, and reflections on the strengths and weaknesses of Resident Evil Requiem.
Marathon Director Looking Into Subroutine Drops and Solo Play Feedback for Cryo Archive
Bungie director Joe Ziegler is looking into player feedback regarding Marathon's new Cryo Archive zone, specifically concerning its weekend-only schedule, lack of solo play, and the drop rate of Subroutines. While no immediate solutions are guaranteed, the team will discuss these topics. Ziegler also teased potential future lore expansions related to aliens.
How to complete the Intercept event in Marathon
This guide provides strategies for completing the challenging Intercept event within the game Marathon. It aims to help players navigate and succeed in this difficult in-run activity.
Where to use the Terrace Key in Marathon
This guide explains the location where players can use the Terrace Key in the game Marathon. Keys are highlighted as a valuable source of in-game loot.
Marathon's Cryo Archive is a hit, but Bungie admits it needs to be more accessible
Bungie acknowledges that the Marathon Cryo Archive, an endgame mission similar to Destiny raids, is highly successful but suffers from excessive restrictions. The company plans to address accessibility issues with the mission.
What we've been playing - "It's like Supermarket Sweep if you can get up quick enough"
Several individuals share their recent gaming experiences, with one player finding Slay the Spire 2 challenging and frustrating due to RNG. Another discusses their extensive playtime in the live service game Marathon on PlayStation 5, focusing on creating personal goals and engaging in unique player interactions. A third player revisits Spyro Adventure on Game Boy Advance, appreciating its continued difficulty, while another expresses admiration for Marathon's atmosphere and design but acknowledges a lack of time to fully commit to it.
Marathon's Cryo Archive is locked to weekends partly because you're going to "lose a lot of gear" and you need time to grind during the week, director says
Marathon's endgame activity, the Cryo Archive, is currently locked to weekends, a decision defended by game director Joe Ziegler. He explains that the time-gating is intended to allow players to grind for gear during the week, as significant gear loss is expected in the challenging mode. Bungie is considering adjustments to the schedule and other conditions for the activity.
'Is Marathon a success? Unfortunately, no, not yet' — Former Xbox exec says Bungie's new extraction shooter was built at a scale and cost that the current market 'simply isn't rewarding'
Former Microsoft executive Laura Fryer believes Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon, despite having a dedicated player base, has not yet achieved success due to its high development cost and scale not being rewarded by the current market. She notes that while player numbers are decent for a $40 game in a crowded genre, the studio faces a significant challenge to justify the investment, especially considering Sony's acquisition of Bungie and the underperformance of Destiny 2.
Marathon's ultra challenging raid-like Cryo Archive map releases in only a few hours, here's what you need to know
Bungie is releasing the challenging Cryo Archive map for Marathon, its hardest activity to date, on March 20th. This raid-like experience requires players to team up in groups of three to tackle PvE fights and other players across six wings, with unique loot available in unlockable cryo vaults. Accessing the map requires an account level of 25, connection with all six factions, and a minimum gear score of 5,000 credits.
ARGs and Easter Eggs
Bungie released the launch trailer for Marathon's Cryo Archive. The trailer showcases elements related to Alternate Reality Games and Easter Eggs within the game's lore.