We’re in an era where games are often labelled ‘dead on arrival’ before players have even had the chance to experience the content for themselves. It’s a frustrating trend—one that Marathon has unfortunately been caught up in since its release.
That might make it all the more surprising just how strong Bungie’s extraction shooter actually is. While it may not completely reinvent the weapon wheel, Marathon delivers a tightly designed, deeply rewarding experience that constantly pulled me back in for one more run.
Simply put, if you enjoy extraction shooters, this is one of the best currently available. Between its addictive gameplay loop, high-stakes combat, and meaningful progression, Marathon proves that first impressions don’t always tell the full story.
Brutal Yet Addictive Extraction Experience
At its core, Marathon sticks to a familiar formula: You drop into hostile Zones with a custom loadout, complete Contracts to level up Factions, and fight both AI forces and rival Runners as you hunt for valuable loot to extract.
But while the structure is simple, the execution is anything but. The early hours feel like a trial by fire, with minimal hand-holding as you learn what gear matters, which fights to take, and how to survive long enough to escape. You will lose runs—and often—but that’s what makes successful runs so rewarding and fulfilling.
What truly elevates the experience is how well its systems connect. Contracts feed into faction progression, unlocking better gear that improves your chances in future runs. Even when you fail, you’re still moving forward, which makes the loop incredibly addictive.
The maps play a huge role in that loop as well. Perimeter offers a more forgiving introduction, while later areas like Outpost ramp up the pressure with denser enemies, tighter spaces, and layered objectives.
Then there’s Cryo Archive, a brutal, raid-like endgame activity that demands powerful gear and even stronger coordination. It’s a genuine test of everything you’ve learned—and one that makes the grind feel worthwhile. Partner that with Ranked, and there’s a plethora of endgame content to explore that runs incredibly deep.
Strong Gunplay Meets High-Stakes Frustration
Bungie’s gunplay remains one of Marathon’s biggest strengths, and that’s coming from someone who’s spent thousands of hours in Destiny. I was there for the highs of The Final Shape to the lows of the Curse of Osiris, and it’s a great relief to know that Bungie can still offer elite gunplay, and it proves there’s hope for Destiny 3 (when and wherever that may be).
There’s a familiar Bungie weight and responsiveness to every weapon, but Marathon arguably delivers its best work yet. In some cases, it genuinely feels just as good, if not better than Destiny! With over 25 weapons at launch, there’s a huge amount of variety, and impressively, most of them feel viable. No matter what weapon you’re forced to run, the gunplay is consistently satisfying.
The fast time-to-kill, however, is more divisive. It creates intense, high-stakes encounters where any player can win a fight, but it also leads to frustrating moments where runs end abruptly, sometimes in a single shot. Weapons like the WSTR Combat Shotgun and Longshot sniper rifle can feel particularly oppressive, especially when paired with stealth-heavy Assassin builds.
That said, the Runner Shells add a welcome layer of depth. Each of the six options offers a distinct playstyle, from aggressive frontline builds to support and mobility-focused roles. When fights do play out fully, combining abilities with teammates creates some of the game’s best moments.
Still, there’s a slight lack of variety in how those moments unfold. Compared to other extraction shooters with dynamic map conditions or more reactive and unique AI enemies, Marathon can feel a little static. Most runs revolve around similar encounters, with the main variation coming from gunfights rather than evolving scenarios.
There are also smaller frustrations tied to the game’s visual design. While the bold, futuristic aesthetic is striking and atmospheric, it can make loot harder to identify at a glance. Items often blend visually, which adds unnecessary friction in an already complex game.
Teamplay Is Key To Getting The Most Out Of Marathon
Marathon is undeniably at its best when played with a coordinated team. Communication, positioning, and ability synergy are crucial, especially on tougher maps where a lack of coordination can quickly lead to failure.
Unfortunately, that also exposes one of its biggest weaknesses. Playing with random teammates can be immensely frustrating, especially when they have no mic, no coordination, and run off on their own and die, or better yet, selfishly gobble up MY loot from Runners that I single-handedly killed. If I sound bitter, it might be because I am—people can be jerks.
With that in mind, I didn’t find that playing solo was much better. It offers a different kind of tension, leaning into a slower, more cautious experience where danger can come from anywhere. While that kind of horror can be thrilling, it often encourages passive playstyles that didn’t appeal to me in the slightest.
Because of this, playing with a premade squad feels almost essential. Whether it’s with some friends or a group from an LFG (looking for group) community, it elevates every aspect of the game, and it’s easy to imagine how additional social features—like a Clan system—could make that process even smoother. My best memories with Marathon are from being in a group, so I’d recommend you do what it takes to play in one too.
Marathon Verdict
Marathon is a confident return to form for Bungie, delivering an extraction shooter that feels both familiar and refreshingly refined. Its core gameplay loop is incredibly addictive, constantly rewarding your time even in failure, while its gunplay stands among the very best in the genre. With meaningful progression, strong map design, and a compelling endgame in Cryo Archive and Ranked, there’s always something pulling you back in.
That said, it isn’t without its flaws, as minor as they might be. Visual clarity issues, a lack of emergent gameplay variety, and a heavy reliance on coordinated team play can occasionally hold the experience back. Still, these shortcomings do little to diminish what Marathon gets right, because when everything clicks, it’s one of the most engaging extraction shooters you can play today.
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