Marathon
" Intense action FPS with tight gunplay and squad tactics but steep difficulty and toxic community "
Marathon Review
Marathon is a visually striking and mechanically solid extraction shooter with a strong emphasis on PvPvE gameplay. Players praise its tight gunplay, unique art style, and atmospheric world-building, which evoke classic Bungie qualities. The game offers a challenging experience that rewards skill and teamwork, especially in trio squads, with a progression system that feels meaningful but demanding.
However, the game faces significant criticisms, including a steep difficulty curve that alienates casual players, a punishing grind exacerbated by gear disparity, and matchmaking issues that pit less experienced players against highly coordinated squads. The small map sizes and dominant shotgun meta reduce strategic depth, while rampant cheating and a hostile community further undermine enjoyment. Solo play is often described as frustrating or nearly unplayable without a dedicated team. Despite these issues, many players see potential if Bungie addresses balance, progression fairness, and anti-cheat measures.
Highlights
Players consistently praise Marathon's gunplay for being satisfying and true to Bungie's legacy, with well-designed weapons and abilities. The art style and world design stand out as fresh and immersive, with detailed interiors and a dark, mysterious atmosphere. The story and lore are appreciated for expanding the Marathon universe, delivered through codex entries and voice acting. Additionally, the game's performance is smooth, and the fast respawn system keeps gameplay engaging. Squad-based combat is described as exhilarating and tactically rich when coordinated well.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the punishing difficulty and progression bottlenecks that discourage casual and solo players. The gear imbalance and matchmaking system often create unfair lobbies dominated by highly geared, coordinated teams, leading to frustrating experiences. The small map sizes and shotgun-dominated meta reduce gameplay variety and promote camping. Additionally, the prevalence of cheating and a toxic player community deter enjoyment. The game's design heavily favors trio squads, making solo or random team play challenging and sometimes unrewarding. Some players also report clunky movement mechanics and UI issues.
Pros
- • Gunplay is tight, responsive, and true to classic Bungie design.
- • Unique and immersive art style with detailed environments.
- • Engaging lore and story expansion through codex and voice acting.
- • Fast respawn system keeps gameplay fluid and intense.
- • Squad play offers tactical depth and exhilarating combat.
- • Progression system provides meaningful upgrades and customization.
- • Smooth performance with minimal technical issues.
Cons
- • Steep difficulty curve alienates casual and solo players.
- • Gear disparity creates unfair matchmaking and frustrating lobbies.
- • Small maps and shotgun meta reduce strategic diversity.
- • Prevalent cheating undermines fair competition and progression.
- • Toxic and hostile player community deters new players.
- • Solo and random fill experiences often feel unrewarding.
- • Progression bottlenecks lead to grind and player burnout.
Rating Criteria
Screenshots
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Marathon released?
Marathon was released on March 5, 2026.
Who developed Marathon?
Marathon was developed by Bungie.
Is Marathon available on Mac?
No, Marathon is not currently available on Mac according to our data.
Is Marathon available on Linux?
No, Marathon is not currently available on Linux according to our data.
Where can I buy Marathon?
You can buy Marathon on Steam.
Game Details
Scavenge the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV as a bio-cybernetic Runner in a PvPvE survival extraction FPS from the creators of Halo and Destiny.