Bungie’s Marathon returns as a PvPvE extraction shooter — what to know before launch

This caught my attention because Marathon is the rare remake-with-a-twist: Bungie is dusting off a cult sci‑fi relic and turning it into a modern PvPvE extraction shooter. If Bungie’s Destiny taught us anything, it’s that the studio knows how to make guns feel great – but translating that into a seasonal extraction loop brings both promise and risk.

Marathon (2026): Bungie’s sci‑fi extraction shooter in one glance

• Release: March 5, 2026 – delayed from Sept 23, 2025 for extra polish.
• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S with full cross‑play and cross‑save.
• Business model: Not free‑to‑play. Standard $40, Deluxe $60, Collector’s from $170-$230.
• Core loop: 3‑player runs on Tau Ceti IV or the derelict Marathon ship; you keep loot only if you extract successfully. Seasonal resets wipe runner inventories each season.

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Publisher|Bungie
Release Date|March 5, 2026
Category|PvPvE extraction shooter
Platform|PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
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Why this matters (and what could go wrong)

Bungie’s pedigree is why Marathon is headline news: the studio built Halo and Destiny, both gold standards for gunfeel and player engagement. Marathon promises that same mechanical polish combined with a stylized sci‑fi look and high‑stakes extraction gameplay. That blend is exciting – but it’s also a tense design balancing act. Extraction loops rely on tension and meaningful progression; Marathon’s seasonal model resets loot every three months. That’s intentional, but it’s the single biggest UX gamble here.

Launch date, editions, and preorders

Marathon launches March 5, 2026. Preorders are live across three editions: Standard ($40), Deluxe ($60) with in‑game cosmetics (Midnight Decay weapon, Runner shell bundle), and a Collector’s Edition (about $170 without a game code, $230 with). Preorder bundles include cosmetics and cross‑promotional Destiny 2 bonuses.

Gameplay: what to expect

At its core, Marathon is a 3‑player extraction shooter. You play as a Runner scavenging Tau Ceti IV and, later, the derelict Marathon ship. Encounters mix player squads and tough AI, and death means losing the run’s haul. Bungie emphasizes clarity — healing, oxygen, inventory, and extraction mechanics are designed to be intuitive so tactical choices matter. From hands‑on previews, the gunplay is reportedly excellent; the concern is less about shooting and more about whether there’s enough varied content to sustain the loop.

Seasonal structure: novel or punitive?

Bungie will deliver three‑month seasons with new zones, weapons, events, and story beats — but each season performs a loot reset that returns all Runners to square one. That amps up the stakes and levels the playing field between newcomers and veterans, but it also risks frustrating players who invest hours into building arsenals only to see them wiped. This mechanic will make or break retention: executed well (compelling seasonal content, meaningful meta progress outside loot) it could thrive; handled poorly, players may feel burned.

Pricing, platforms, and accessibility

Notably, Marathon is a paid release rather than F2P — an unusual choice for a seasonal live game in 2026. Upfront pricing ($40-$230) signals Bungie wants a committed player base from day one, and it avoids some F2P friction. It will support full cross‑play and cross‑save across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S; PC and Xbox players won’t need a PSN account despite Sony’s Bungie acquisition.

PC requirements (brief)

Minimum: Windows 10, Core i5‑6600/Ryzen 5 2600, 8GB RAM, GTX 1050 Ti or equivalent. Recommended: Core i5‑10400/Ryzen 5 3500, 16GB RAM, RTX‑class or equivalent GPU. Broadband internet is required.

What this means for players

If you love high‑tempo shooters and the thrill of high‑risk extraction runs, Marathon is worth watching. Bungie’s gun design pedigree bodes well for satisfying combat. that said, if you prefer persistent loot progression or dislike seasonal resets that erase arsenals, Marathon’s core design may feel adversarial. The initial roadmap and post‑launch cadence will be critical: compelling seasonal content and meaningful non‑wipe progression (cosmetics, meta unlocks, narrative threads) could win hesitant players over.

TL;DR

Bungie’s Marathon revives a classic franchise as a paid, cross‑play PvPvE extraction shooter launching March 5, 2026. Expect excellent gunplay and tense three‑player runs, a seasonal model that wipes loot every three months, and upfront pricing across Standard, Deluxe, and Collector’s Editions. The big question: can Bungie fill the seasonal well fast enough to justify periodic resets? If they can, Marathon could be a fresh, high‑skill competitor in the extraction space; if not, it risks being a great shooter with a thin long‑term backbone.