Marathon Reviews
Bungie's extraction shooter reboot of its classic Marathon series is easily one of the best releases in 2026. Its top-level gunplay and extremely rewarding gameplay loop that centers strong gameplay experiences over better loot, paired with an atmosphere and world design that does an incredible job of weaving narrative into a multiplayer PvPvE setting, make it a must-play for first-person shooter fans and anyone feeling tired of the current live service landscape. For all its rough edges, there's really nothing else that looks, sounds, or plays quite like Marathon, and it's all the better for it.
Marathon doesn't have that instant fun factor and casual appeal that an extraction shooter like ARC Raiders does. And for a lot of people, that likely means it isn't the game for them. But Marathon is a game that gives more to you the more you give to it. With impeccable Bungie gunplay, a gorgeous world and artstyle, and a gameplay loop much denser than its competition, we think Marathon is something special. The more we play, the more we love it.
Marathon is further proof of Bungie's pedigree and ability to create enthralling, engaging, and addictive shooters. While Marathon is brutally challenging and unforgiving, especially for the solo or casual player, it begs to be experienced.
Marathon takes the Extraction Game philosophy and molds it into the Bungie style. It's not perfect-the UI is awful, and the missions lose their edge over time-but the gameplay loop is fun, and the shooter foundation is solid. And what a style, guys!
Review in Italian | Read full review
The extraction shooter genre is hard to get right.
Marathon is a challenging, gorgeous, addictive, and deceptively deep extraction shooter. Bungie has created a gorgeous world with a captivating sci-fi story lurking beneath the surface, and thrown in their signature gunplay to create one of the year's best games. It is for a very niche audience. But for those willing to accept its extreme highs and lows, there is something quite compelling about its gameplay loop.
Marathon is a feast for the senses - vibrant sci-fi visuals and world building, amazing sound design, and a brilliant combat experience are the main things elevating it above its extraction shooter competitors. Its endgame map, Cryo Archive, also creates the same intimidating yet jaw-dropping atmosphere of some of Bungie’s finest Destiny raids. However, issues such as clunky inventory management and dull faction quests hold it back from true greatness right now.
Quote not available
Review in Italian | Read full review
Marathon is a difficult game to recommend. It's undeniable that Bungie has done a great job with this title, but it's not an experience for everyone.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
It was a long road to get there, though, and I can totally understand if that puts many shooter fans off. I hope enough people give the game a chance and overcome the initial hurdles – for me, it was definitely worth it, and I won't be putting Marathon down anytime soon.
Review in German | Read full review
Marathon is top-tier Bungie gunplay in a beautiful extraction shooter setting, and it makes for an addicting gameplay loop. Exploring the dangerous world of Tau Ceti IV and the looming colony ship with your gear on the line makes for some of the most intense PvP available, though the punishing early game might be too brutal for some.
Marathon is a great-looking and extremely rewarding competitive extraction shooter let down by an inadequate prologue and poor monetization.
Your introduction to Marathon gives little indication of the punishing journey that lays ahead of you, venturing into hostile otherworldly environmen...
Despite Marathon being a punishing crucible that will throw players to the wolves, its uncompromising vision can't be denied. Bungie's peerless gunplay makes this extraction shooter shine in a bleak alien world where players hunt each other for personal gain.
Marathon is a technically brilliant and satisfying shooter that nails the fundamentals but struggles to build beyond them. It delivers incredible moment-to-moment gameplay, yet lacks the depth and long-term pull to match its ambition. Right now, it feels less like a fully realised experience and more like the start of something new waiting to be expanded, a game that will live or die by how Bungie supports it from here.
Marathon is an addictive extraction shooter featuring the same masterful gunplay that has made Bungie legendary, making it a must-play for fans of the genre and even those adverse to it.
Even within its own genre, Marathon is niche - bristling with outlandish color combinations and likely to reject those looking for something more relaxed. Stick with it, however, and the stellar gunplay, intriguing characters, fun mechanics, and tense scenarios will draw you in.
At the start of its journey, Marathon is a game whose bold artistic style sometimes overshadows its best features: excellent shooting and a satisfying progression model. It is an interesting alternative in the extraction shooter genre for well-coordinated teams of three who are not afraid of brutal combat and grind. Unfortunately, the flashy, confusing interface and lack of a useful introduction to the gameplay may be enough to put some players off.
Review in Polish | Read full review
A title that may repel many, but that amply rewards those who stick around. And it's precisely this take-no-prisoners attitude that makes it so special, just like all those productions made with heart rather than obsessed with pleasing everyone.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Though it's impossible not to question Marathon's long-term appeal, it's one of the most confident big-budget FPS in years and a fantastic reminder that Bungie devs can shake things up when given the space and freedom to cook.