Marathon PS5 Review: Bungie’s Extraction Shooter Survives a Rocky Development

The release of Marathon, Bungie’s return to a franchise dormant for nearly three decades, has been anything but straightforward. From initial vision to final launch, the game’s development was marked by significant upheaval – a PlayStation acquisition of Bungie for $3.6 billion, a complete restart of development, the departure of the original game director, layoffs impacting hundreds of Bungie employees, and criticism surrounding an early alpha build and alleged graphical plagiarism. Despite these challenges, Marathon arrived on March 5, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, a feat that feels remarkable in today’s volatile video game landscape. The question now is whether it can thrive in an incredibly competitive market, particularly within the extraction shooter genre. Marathon (2026 video game)

For those unfamiliar, Bungie originally created the Marathon series – Marathon, Marathon 2: Durandal, and Marathon Infinity – between 1994 and 1996. These sci-fi first-person shooters were highly regarded on Apple Macintosh computers, praised for their gameplay and intricate, dark sci-fi universe. Now, Bungie has revisited Marathon, but not as a single-player narrative experience. Instead, it’s an extraction shooter, a significant reboot of the brand, though one that retains connections to the original universe and elements. Developers emphasized their intent to weave compelling stories and develop memorable characters even within the multiplayer extraction framework, and to a degree, they’ve succeeded.

Extraction shooters aren’t typically my preferred genre; the risk of losing hard-earned gear is a deterrent. I’ve sampled Escape from Tarkov and ARC Raiders, finding only Hunt: Showdown 1896 from Crytek and the Dark Zone in Tom Clancy’s The Division truly engaging. The latter offered a degree of safety – losing gear was limited to what was acquired within the Dark Zone itself. However, Bungie’s track record with Halo and Destiny, coupled with positive impressions of Marathon in recent months, prompted me to give it a chance. The developers responded to player feedback, notably refining the visual style, which now boasts a distinctive aesthetic. Marathon – PS5 games | PlayStation (US)

The core appeal of Marathon lies in its world and narrative. Bungie has consistently demonstrated an ability to craft rich and expansive universes, as seen in Marathon, Halo, and Destiny. In Marathon, you play as a “Runner,” a consciousness uploaded into an artificial body tasked with exploring the colony on Tau Ceti IV. The objective is to locate lost technologies and uncover the fate of the colony. Story progression isn’t delivered through traditional cutscenes, like in Destiny, but through conversations with various factions and corporations, each with their own motivations. These characters are well-written and possess distinct personalities, revealed through dialogue and environmental storytelling. The world is filled with subtle references and lore, rewarding attentive players.

For those who enjoy piecing together narratives, Marathon provides ample opportunity. The game’s universe feels distinct from Destiny, yet shares a similar depth and complexity, evoking comparisons to franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. However, the lack of a dedicated story campaign feels like a missed opportunity. Marathon possesses a compelling universe ripe for exploration, but it’s largely confined to the hardcore multiplayer extraction format. This format, whereas challenging, may limit its appeal to a broader audience. The competitive nature of the game is intense, and success often hinges on acquiring and maintaining superior gear.

Beyond the narrative and setting, Marathon’s visual style is striking. Its unique aesthetic and retro-futuristic design set it apart from other first-person shooters like Call of Duty or Battlefield. This stylistic choice extends to the environments, weapons, characters, and items. The developers significantly improved the visual details, lighting, and effects since last year, resulting in a visually polished game that runs well on the PlayStation 5 Pro, maintaining a consistent 60 frames per second. It also performs admirably on the standard PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. Marathon Standard Edition – PlayStation Store

The core gameplay loop of Marathon is typical of the extraction shooter genre. You select a Runner and a map, loot for better weapons, equipment, and resources, and then attempt to extract with your haul. Failure results in losing everything. The stakes are high, and the tension is palpable. Initially, the game featured a single mode for three players, leading to frequent encounters with other teams. Solo play was possible but significantly more challenging. However, Bungie has since added a duo lobby on the Perimeter map, expanding gameplay options. This addition is still in testing and refinement, but it’s a welcome change.

Originally, the vision for Marathon included unique, customizable Runners. However, under the direction of Joe Ziegler, the game shifted to a class-based system with six distinct Runners, each possessing unique abilities. While customization options are limited to skins, the classes themselves are diverse and complement each other well. I found the Destroyer, with its large shield and rocket launcher, effective for supporting teammates. The Assassin, capable of invisibility, excelled in solo play. The Triage class, a dedicated medic, was invaluable for team support. Other Runners, like Vandal, Thief, and Recon, each offer unique tactical advantages. A seventh Runner, Rook, is designed for solo players, offering a safer experience with limited progression opportunities.

Adding to the challenge are the UESC robots, controlled by a surprisingly competent AI. Encounters with these enemies are demanding, requiring strategy and superior equipment. These encounters often feel reminiscent of Nightfall missions in Destiny, though the addition of other players elevates the chaos. The PvP element is integral to Marathon’s experience. While proximity voice chat is available for potential alliances, most encounters quickly devolve into firefights. The game’s low time-to-kill (TTK) and competitive nature create a relentless, high-stakes environment.

The game’s economy and progression systems are well-designed. Resources are scarce enough to feel valuable, but plentiful enough to avoid excessive frustration. Factions play a crucial role, offering missions and upgrades in exchange for completed contracts. These upgrades enhance Runner stats and unlock access to better equipment. However, the contracts themselves can be repetitive, often involving simple fetch quests or enemy elimination tasks. The ability to only hold one contract at a time feels restrictive, hindering progress.

Marathon is not a free-to-play title, costing $39.99. This price point feels reasonable given the game’s quality and content. A Battle Pass offers cosmetic rewards and blueprints for purchasing weapons, providing an additional revenue stream. While the Premium Battle Pass offers some benefits, its rewards are somewhat underwhelming. Marathon – PS5 games | PlayStation (US)

Marathon is a compelling and unique extraction shooter that successfully revives a beloved franchise. It’s a game best suited for hardcore fans of the genre, offering a challenging and rewarding experience, particularly when played with friends. Whether it achieves the same level of success as Bungie’s previous titles remains to be seen, but it’s a strong contender in a crowded market. The developers will necessitate to continue refining the game, addressing player feedback, and expanding the content to ensure its long-term viability. Future updates will likely focus on balancing the classes, adding modern maps and modes, and improving the user interface.