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Marathon

Strong · 117 reviews · 60 articles · Mar 5, 2026
Full score breakdown on OpenCritic ↗

Marathon news

Marathon's limited time Ordnance Heist is a multi-run and map event that nets you a cool gun you can't keep

Marathon's limited time Ordnance Heist is a multi-run and map event that nets you a cool gun you can't keep

Marathon's Vault Breaker, an experimental PvE mode that allowed even solo folks to take on the endgame map Cryo Archive, is wrapping up today, but Bungie does at least have a new event for you to have a go at in kind. It's called Ordnance Heist, and while it doesn't offer any major new features or radical changes, the big thing it does focus on is completing multiple runs across multiple maps, netting you an explosive weapon called the Firestorm.

Rock Paper Shotgun / Oisin Kuhnke
Update
Thanks to the New Vault Breaker Co-Op Mode, I Can Finally Appreciate Marathon’s Most Intriguing Map

Thanks to the New Vault Breaker Co-Op Mode, I Can Finally Appreciate Marathon’s Most Intriguing Map

Marathon's limited-time experimental PvE mode ends on August 18, and it's worth trying out before it disappears to truly appreciate the intricacies of the Cryo Archive map without being gunned down by enemy players.

IGN / Matt Purslow
Update
Even after 200 hours, Marathon's greatest secret is still deciphering the rhythms of rival players

Even after 200 hours, Marathon's greatest secret is still deciphering the rhythms of rival players

There’s a whole phase to the game of Marathon that occurs right when you might assume it’s over. It begins with the jolting sound effect that indicates a teammate has been downed - knocked on their back by volt fire or a claymore in a dark corner. Then, as you rush to help, a second jolt: another teammate pummeled into helplessness by an unseen assailant. Footsteps all around: a full enemy team, and you alone, as the revive timers of your friends melt away, like clocks in a Dali painting. Very o

Rock Paper Shotgun / Jeremy Peel
Preview
Sony Says Marathon Has “Maintained High User Retention” Despite Declining Steam Player Count

Sony Says Marathon Has “Maintained High User Retention” Despite Declining Steam Player Count

Sony's CFO Lin Tao also said during an earnings call that Marathon has been "acquiring new players" despite the declines on Steam. The post Sony Says Marathon Has “Maintained High User Retention” Despite Declining Steam Player Count

This Week in Video Games / Jamie Hore
Business
Marathon's experimental PvE mode is live, immediately tripling its daily player count

Marathon's experimental PvE mode is live, immediately tripling its daily player count

Cryo Archive is open for all, for a limited time.

PC Gamer / Lincoln Carpenter
Update
The next major moment for Marathon arrives today with a new update and the debut of its PvE mode, Vault Breaker

The next major moment for Marathon arrives today with a new update and the debut of its PvE mode, Vault Breaker

Bungie has shown off Vault Breaker in a new gameplay trailer. This is Marathon's experimental, time-limited PvE mode, which arrives today in Season 2's mid-season update. Vault Breaker is a roguelite mode that exists separately from the normal modes. In other words, it's not simply a PvE toggle you can turn on across the game.

Eurogamer / Sherif Saed
Update
Marathon's Rescue Mission Begins with This New Roguelite Mode, Playable Solo or Co-Op on PS5

Marathon's Rescue Mission Begins with This New Roguelite Mode, Playable Solo or Co-Op on PS5

Return to the Cryo Archive. Marathon is a superb FPS, but it’s failed to resonate with a meaningful number of players. That’s left it floundering on its most popular platform Steam, while sales have been negligible on PS5. Read the full article on pushsquare.com

Push Square
Update
Marathon director Joe Ziegler leaves Bungie just four months after launch

Marathon director Joe Ziegler leaves Bungie just four months after launch

Marathon director Joe Ziegler has left Bungie after three and a half years at the studio.

Eurogamer / Vikki Blake
Business
Marathon’s director confirms he’s quit Bungie, four months after launch

Marathon’s director confirms he’s quit Bungie, four months after launch

Joe Ziegler exits after a tough month for Bungie, which saw significant layoffs

VGC / Andy Robinson
Business
A month after mass layoffs at Bungie, Marathon game director Joe Ziegler is leaving the studio

A month after mass layoffs at Bungie, Marathon game director Joe Ziegler is leaving the studio

Another regular day in Marathon Land. Following on from mass layoffs at Bungie after the final major update for Destiny 2, and ahead of next week's mid-season 2 Marathon patch, the extraction shooter's game director Joe Ziegler has announced that he's left the studio, with Del Chafe III taking over his role. Chafe, up until this point, has served as Marathon's assistant game director.

Rock Paper Shotgun / Oisin Kuhnke
Business
Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler Leaves Bungie

Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler Leaves Bungie

Ziegler took over as Marathon's game director in 2024, following the dismissal of former director Christopher Barrett The post Marathon Game Director Joe Ziegler Leaves Bungie

This Week in Video Games / Edmond Tran
Business
Big Shake-Up on Sony's Struggling Live Service as Marathon's Game Director Departs

Big Shake-Up on Sony's Struggling Live Service as Marathon's Game Director Departs

Bungie woes go on. Marathon’s Game Director Joseph Ziegler has left his position at Bungie today, and is moving on to pastures new. The departure – which seems sudden, and was not previously communicated – was confirmed by the ex-Valorant man on social media earlier today. Read the full article on pushsquare.com

Push Square
Business
Marathon game director leaves Bungie just 4 months after launch: 'I'll be heading to something new, somewhere else'

Marathon game director leaves Bungie just 4 months after launch: 'I'll be heading to something new, somewhere else'

This is not good news for Bungie, or its only remaining active game.

PC Gamer / Andy Chalk
Business
Marathon Game Director Joseph Ziegler Is Leaving Bungie

Marathon Game Director Joseph Ziegler Is Leaving Bungie

Marathon game director Joseph Ziegler has announced he is leaving Bungie.

IGN / Michael Cripe
Business
Marathon's 'experimental' PvE mode will only be playable for 2 weeks when it goes live in July, full rollout expected to happen sometime in Season 3

Marathon's 'experimental' PvE mode will only be playable for 2 weeks when it goes live in July, full rollout expected to happen sometime in Season 3

A new update from Bungie provides a closer look at what's coming in the new Vault Breaker mode.

PC Gamer / Andy Chalk
Update
Marathon's experimental PvE roguelite mode is, bafflingly, only around for two weeks when it drops next week

Marathon's experimental PvE roguelite mode is, bafflingly, only around for two weeks when it drops next week

Marathon's already announced mid-season 2 update is set to arrive next week, bringing with it the shooter's first proper, albeit experimental, PvE mode, Vault Breaker. A new blog post has gone into a bit more detail as to what you can expect with the new update, with a teaser trailer showing off some extra bits, but the biggest bummer is the fact that Vault Breaker will only be around for a short while.

Rock Paper Shotgun / Oisin Kuhnke
Update
Fired Marathon director says he's settled lawsuit with Sony

Fired Marathon director says he's settled lawsuit with Sony

Christopher Barrett, who was fired by Sony for misconduct allegations, now has his name on Marathon's credits.

Game Developer / Diego Argüello
Business
Sony, Bungie settle with ex-Marathon director they accused of "predatory behaviour", bringing $200m wrongful dismissal lawsuit to a close

Sony, Bungie settle with ex-Marathon director they accused of "predatory behaviour", bringing $200m wrongful dismissal lawsuit to a close

Ex-Marathon director Christopher Barrett has announced a settlement has been reached with Sony and Bungie, after he sued both companies for wrongful dismissal, claiming they had "deliberately destroyed [his] reputation by falsely, and publicly, insinuating...he had engaged in sexual misconduct."

Eurogamer / Matt Wales
Business
Former Marathon Director Added to Game’s Credits in Legal Agreement with Sony and Bungie

Former Marathon Director Added to Game’s Credits in Legal Agreement with Sony and Bungie

Christopher Barrett was fired from Bungie in 2024 over alleged misconduct, but claimed he was fired to avoid a US $50 million payout The post Former Marathon Director Added to Game’s Credits in Legal Agreement with Sony and Bungie

This Week in Video Games / Maddie Agne
Business
Fired Marathon director says he’s settled a lawsuit with Sony and been inserted into the credits

Fired Marathon director says he’s settled a lawsuit with Sony and been inserted into the credits

Christopher Barrett announces he's settled his lawsuit with PlayStation and Bungie

VGC / Andy Robinson
Business
Will Marathon's new PvE mode reignite interest around the fizzling game? Community reaction so far seems positive

Will Marathon's new PvE mode reignite interest around the fizzling game? Community reaction so far seems positive

Bungie has revealed details of its upcoming Marathon PvE mode, which will allow players to explore the endgame Cryo Archive Map without the threat of other players. They'll instead face computer-controlled enemies. All in all, the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

Eurogamer / Connor Makar
Update
Marathon Confirms New PvE Mode Release Date, Season 3 Begins September 2026

Marathon Confirms New PvE Mode Release Date, Season 3 Begins September 2026

Marathon has set a release date for its upcoming PvE mode, Vault Breaker, as well as the start of Season 3.

IGN / Cade Onder
Update
Marathon's mid-season 2 update brings in an experimental PvE mode that will let solo and duo runners take on Cryo Archive

Marathon's mid-season 2 update brings in an experimental PvE mode that will let solo and duo runners take on Cryo Archive

I have something to admit to you all. I'm not very good at Marathon. I like when the guns go pew pew, I like the weird sci-fi vibes, but the second I run into another person I'll be lucky if I make it out with all of my limbs intact. As a result, I had resigned myself to never experiencing Cryo Archive, the game's super duper hardcore map exclusive to both crews and those with the prerequisite skills and loot. But! I bring good news for those of you who stink at shooters like me: Marathon's firs

Rock Paper Shotgun / Oisin Kuhnke
Update
Marathon's Vault Breaker PvE mode is coming in July, and here's the twist: You leave your loot behind

Marathon's Vault Breaker PvE mode is coming in July, and here's the twist: You leave your loot behind

This is the full-on Marathon PvE experience I've been waiting for.

PC Gamer / Andy Chalk
Update
Marathon players are amassing way too much loot in Season 2, and the primary cause is a mystery: 'We're still unravelling the source'

Marathon players are amassing way too much loot in Season 2, and the primary cause is a mystery: 'We're still unravelling the source'

"Progression and access to power moved much faster than the previous season."

PC Gamer / Rick Lane
Update
Bungie Fixes Marathon Mess by Giving Away Full Game to Fans Who Purchased Due to Misleading PS5 Store Description

Bungie Fixes Marathon Mess by Giving Away Full Game to Fans Who Purchased Due to Misleading PS5 Store Description

The right thing to do. Bungie is never far away from a blunder, but I’m not entirely sure where the buck stops with this latest oversight. To cut a long story short, the dev is currently running a free trial week for first-person shooter Marathon, designed to coincide with its Season 2 update. Read the full article on pushsquare.com

Push Square
Business
Marathon Deluxe Edition discount offers free-trial players bonuses without the full game, confusion ensues

Marathon Deluxe Edition discount offers free-trial players bonuses without the full game, confusion ensues

Some confusion around Marathon's Deluxe edition appears to be popping up, as a discounted deluxe edition version of the game bought by many PlayStation users does not actually include the full game.

Eurogamer / Connor Makar
Business
Another Marathon Mess as Bungie Changes Misleading PS5 Store Description

Another Marathon Mess as Bungie Changes Misleading PS5 Store Description

Digital mixup. Bungie is never far away from a blunder, but I’m not entirely sure where the buck stops with this latest oversight. To cut a long story short, the dev is currently running a free trial week for first-person shooter Marathon, designed to coincide with its Season 2 update. Read the full article on pushsquare.com

Push Square
Business
Hands On: Marathon's New Season Is Impressive, But Probably Not Enough

Hands On: Marathon's New Season Is Impressive, But Probably Not Enough

Scared of the dark. There is undeniably a lot riding on Marathon right now. With Destiny 2 announcing its end, and Destiny 3 supposedly not in active development, Bungie needs a win. Marathon hasn’t quite been the commercial slam dunk that it was hoping for, even though for me, it’s currently holding the top spot for my GOTY. Read the full article on pushsquare.com

Push Square
Preview
Marathon's new PvE experiment is Bungie's most genius decision yet, so make it a full mode already

Marathon's new PvE experiment is Bungie's most genius decision yet, so make it a full mode already

Explore the swamp in relative peace.

PC Gamer / Rory Norris
Update
Bungie's traditional launch woes made for a terrible first impression of Marathon's exciting second season and undermined its free-play week

Bungie's traditional launch woes made for a terrible first impression of Marathon's exciting second season and undermined its free-play week

How do all those anteaters, monkeys, or weasels even fit in Bungie HQ?

PC Gamer / Rory Norris
Update
Marathon season 2 suffers rocky launch thanks to rampant errors and bugs

Marathon season 2 suffers rocky launch thanks to rampant errors and bugs

Marathon season 2 launched yesterday evening, bringing with it sweeping changes to the core game as well as a full progression reset and new modes to leap into. It also, sadly, came with heaps of bugs.

Eurogamer / Connor Makar
Update
Marathon season 2 launch plagued by anteaters, monkeys and weasels, with Bungie dishing out free gear to say sorry for the server issues

Marathon season 2 launch plagued by anteaters, monkeys and weasels, with Bungie dishing out free gear to say sorry for the server issues

Watch out! An unruly gang of animals have been accosting Marathon right as its season 2 update has gone live! Developers Bungie have been hard at work getting the creatures under control, and have promised to dish out some free gear to affected players as a make good.

Rock Paper Shotgun / Mark Warren
Update
Marathon Season 2 – Night Marsh Spotlight

Marathon Season 2 – Night Marsh Spotlight

The post Marathon Season 2 – Night Marsh Spotlight appeared first on XBOX Wire.

Xbox Wire / Will Fulton, XBOX Wire Editor
Update
Marathon season 2 kicks off with a "PvP-lite" mode that sounds more like a sidestep for those after PvE

Marathon season 2 kicks off with a "PvP-lite" mode that sounds more like a sidestep for those after PvE

Marathon season 2 kicks off today, acting as a fresh start for every single person who's played so far with its complete wipe of all gear. For this first week of the season, it's also going to be free-to-play for anyone, clearly a big plea for those that haven't yet tried it out to give it a fair shake. To do that, Bungie will be doing their first test that eases up on the challenge by offering a "PvP-lite" mode called Sponsored Survival.

Rock Paper Shotgun / Oisin Kuhnke
Update

Here’s when you can play Marathon Season 2 and when Open Play Week finishes

The post Here’s when you can play Marathon Season 2 and when Open Play Week finishes appeared first on GamesHub.

GamesHub / Craig Robinson
Release date
Bungie experiments by adding casual PvP-lite mode to Marathon

Bungie experiments by adding casual PvP-lite mode to Marathon

A PvE mode is also in the works and will debut in the second half of Season 2.

Game Developer / Chris Kerr
Update
Marathon's first 'PvP-lite' experimental mode sounds like a delightfully terrifying alternative

Marathon's first 'PvP-lite' experimental mode sounds like a delightfully terrifying alternative

Just your squad, hostile NPCs, and an escalating number of Rook chaos agents.

PC Gamer / Lincoln Carpenter
Update
Marathon’s second season is a chance for Bungie to turn things around

Marathon’s second season is a chance for Bungie to turn things around

Earlier this month, I finally achieved the elusive goal I had set for myself in Bungie's Marathon. I collected six of the game's rarest items, allowing me to attempt and then successfully clear the raid-style Compiler boss. I felt a massive weight lift off my shoulders - nearly 185 hours of playtime and I had managed to complete Marathon's pinnacle activity. A day later, I took my first break from the game. I had been playing Marathon virtually every day since it launched in March, and I needed

The Verge
Preview
Bungie spills the beans on combat tuning for Marathon Season 2, and it's bad news for shotgun lovers and thermal snipers

Bungie spills the beans on combat tuning for Marathon Season 2, and it's bad news for shotgun lovers and thermal snipers

Bungie says it wants player weapon choices to "feel more intentional".

PC Gamer / Rick Lane
Update
Bungie are making it easy for you to try Marathon by launching its new season with a free week, right when veteran players lose all their best gear

Bungie are making it easy for you to try Marathon by launching its new season with a free week, right when veteran players lose all their best gear

I hear that some of you aren't playing Marathon yet. Maybe extraction shooters aren't your jam, or there's not enough about Bungie's game to draw you away from your shooter of choice, or maybe you're just sick and tired of a certain portion of the internet yammering on about Marathon like it's the bee's-freaking-knees of multiplayer games. Now, if you fall into that latter camp, I have particularly good news for you. For one week only, you will be able to drop into Tau Ceti and wipe the smile of

Rock Paper Shotgun / Julian Benson
Update
Marathon season 2 is kicking off with a free week so new players can try Bungie's extraction shooter out on a 'clean slate'

Marathon season 2 is kicking off with a free week so new players can try Bungie's extraction shooter out on a 'clean slate'

I might just join for that suppressed SMG.

PC Gamer / Elie Gould
Announcement
Bungie details Marathon Season 2 and the new Sentinel class, with a free-to-play week and special sale planned, too

Bungie details Marathon Season 2 and the new Sentinel class, with a free-to-play week and special sale planned, too

Right after dropping the untimely news Destiny 2 won't be getting more support after June, Bungie is ramping up work on Marathon, with Season 2 introducing a spooky new map and mysterious new threats next week.

Eurogamer / Fran Ruiz
Update
Bungie Is Letting Players Try Marathon for Free for a Limited Time

Bungie Is Letting Players Try Marathon for Free for a Limited Time

Bungie is opening the gates to Marathon next week and letting players jump in on the action, free of cost.

IGN / Cade Onder
Business
Bungie's Maligned Shooter Marathon Goes Free-to-Play for a Full Week on PS5

Bungie's Maligned Shooter Marathon Goes Free-to-Play for a Full Week on PS5

No PS Plus required. In an attempt to entice new players, Marathon will be totally free to play for a full week on PS5, starting from the 2nd June and lasting until the 9th June. This lines up with the launch of the previously announced Season 2, which is introducing a new map and shell (character class), alongside various seasonal challenges. Read the full article on pushsquare.com

Push Square
Business
Marathon Season 2 arrives June 2

Marathon Season 2 arrives June 2

What secrets lurk in the dark as night descends on Marathon’s second season? Season 2 is coming June 2, bringing new challenges, new opportunities, and new ways to play. You’ll be able to try out Season 2 for yourself with Marathon Open Play Week from June 2-  9. During Open Play Week, the full game […]

PlayStation Blog / Brian Ekberg
Update
Marathon Developer Bungie Drops Season 2 Cinematic With Big Horror Vibes

Marathon Developer Bungie Drops Season 2 Cinematic With Big Horror Vibes

Marathon developer Bungie has dropped a sneak peek at what's to come when Marathon's second season launches next month.

IGN / Vikki Blake
Trailer

Marathon Season 2 trailer teases a much darker Nightfall update

The post Marathon Season 2 trailer teases a much darker Nightfall update appeared first on GamesHub.

GamesHub / Paul McNally
Trailer
Marathon's Season 2 cinematic trailer promises things are about to get spookier on Tau Ceti IV: "Moon's EXTRA haunted"

Marathon's Season 2 cinematic trailer promises things are about to get spookier on Tau Ceti IV: "Moon's EXTRA haunted"

Marathon continues to grow, even as Destiny 2 is on its way out. Following an official announcement of Season 2 earlier this month, the cinematic trailer is promising the extraction shooter will get even scarier this summer.

Eurogamer / Fran Ruiz
Trailer
Can Season 2 Turn Bungie's Marathon Around?

Can Season 2 Turn Bungie's Marathon Around?

Suited and looted. While it certainly hasn’t been a Concord-esque disaster by any stretch of the imagination, it would demand an extremely optimistic outlook to say Marathon has been a success. Sales have been soft on console, and even on PC – where the extraction shooter has performed best – it’s struggled to retain player numbers on par with other live service titans. Read the full article on pushsquare.com

Push Square
Business
The first, cinematic look at Marathon season 2 paints it as the horror game it always should have been

The first, cinematic look at Marathon season 2 paints it as the horror game it always should have been

Marathon is a horror game. Well, it should be, anyway (or I suppose in some ways it already is). The ever under-respected genre is not where Bungie's take on an extraction shooter currently sits, even if there are still qualities to be found in the likes of jump scares, a clingy, sticky tension, hints of something that went catastrophically wrong. I want more of these elements of horror, and oh lucky me, the first trailer for the game's second season looks like it will deliver on that front.

Rock Paper Shotgun / Oisin Kuhnke
Trailer
Marathon Voice Actor Hits Back at Online Trolls and Says 'People Just Want to Hate'

Marathon Voice Actor Hits Back at Online Trolls and Says 'People Just Want to Hate'

Veteran video game voice actor Elias Toufexis has spoken out about the online "hate" directed at Marathon, following developer Bungie's decision to prioritize the game over Destiny 2.

IGN / Tom Phillips
Interview
Destiny Players Review Bomb Marathon Only to Be Met With Countercampaign from Bungie Fans

Destiny Players Review Bomb Marathon Only to Be Met With Countercampaign from Bungie Fans

Destiny players have taken to the Marathon Steam page to voice their frustrations with negative reviews, but Bungie fans have already started fighting back with their own countercampaign.

IGN / Michael Cripe
Business
Marathon "overwhelming" for newcomers, director admits as plans for PvE and PvP-lite modes revealed

Marathon "overwhelming" for newcomers, director admits as plans for PvE and PvP-lite modes revealed

Marathon game director Joe Ziegler has shared some of Bungie's plans to improve its divisive extraction shooter, which include the introduction of PvE and PvP-lite game modes as alternatives to the "overwhelming" core experience.

Eurogamer / Connor Makar
Announcement
Marathon Reveals New PVE Mode and Big Plans for the Future

Marathon Reveals New PVE Mode and Big Plans for the Future

Marathon is attempting to broaden its playerbase with new offerings, such as a PVE-only mode.

IGN / Cade Onder
Update
A PvE-only mode is coming to Marathon as Bungie lays out plans for seasons 3, 4 and 5

A PvE-only mode is coming to Marathon as Bungie lays out plans for seasons 3, 4 and 5

"We want to evolve Marathon as a whole."

PC Gamer / Morgan Park
Update
Bungie set a date for Marathon season 2 and ramp up the challenge for the end of the current one

Bungie set a date for Marathon season 2 and ramp up the challenge for the end of the current one

In the blink of an eye, Marathon season 2 is almost upon us. Bungie have shared more concrete words of what to expect in the upcoming season, titled Nightfall, mostly related to how the big reset will work, but also how this season will be wrapping up too.

Rock Paper Shotgun / Oisin Kuhnke
Update
Prepare for Marathon's first major progress wipe as Bungie announces season 2 start date and details

Prepare for Marathon's first major progress wipe as Bungie announces season 2 start date and details

Bungie has announced the release date for Marathon's second season, which is bringing far-reaching progress wipes that'll reset its playerbase to the same starting point.

Eurogamer / Connor Makar
Update
Marathon Season 2 Detailed

Marathon Season 2 Detailed

Marathon developer Bungie has unveiled what, exactly, will change as Season 2 begins, teasing "liberated chaos" as players "know a fresh start is just around the corner" when update 1.0.9 drops next Tuesday (May 19).

IGN / Vikki Blake
Update
Bungie is turning Marathon's loot dial to 11 ahead of its first wipe, opening up Cryo Archive 24/7

Bungie is turning Marathon's loot dial to 11 ahead of its first wipe, opening up Cryo Archive 24/7

The time has come to actually use all the good stuff in your vault.

PC Gamer / Morgan Park
Update