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Marathon is Bungie’s new extraction shooter for PC, out now on Steam. You drop into a map, loot what you can find, and try to get out alive. Other players are doing the same thing. AI enemies are in the way.
The catch: if you die before reaching an extraction point, you lose everything you picked up. No second chances in that run. You pick one of six Runner types before each match, each built around a different way to play. Destroyer goes in swinging. Recon plays it smart. Thief stays out of sight.
If you know Bungie from Halo or Destiny, the shooting will feel familiar. The format is new territory for them. It was released on March 5, 2026, and runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Already in? Drop your Runner pick and first impressions in the comments. Got questions before buying? Reach out to us directly.
Quick Facts
| 📅 Release Date | March 5, 2026 |
| 🛠️ Developer | Bungie |
| 🎮 Genre | Extraction Shooter |
| 🎯 Players | Solo + Crew (2-3) |
| 💰 Price | $39.99 USD |
How to Download and Install on PC
Marathon is available on Steam for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Go to the Marathon Steam Store page.
- Click Add to Cart and complete your purchase.
- Open your Steam library and click Install.
- Launch the game. BattlEye anti-cheat will initialise on first run. Allow it when prompted.
What is Marathon?
Marathon is a PvPvE extraction shooter developed by Bungie, the studio behind Halo and Destiny. It is set on Tau Ceti IV, an abandoned colony ship and surrounding derelict research facilities. You play as a Runner: a bio-cybernetic mercenary deployed to scavenge, survive, and extract.
Each match drops you into a map with other crews of Runners, all competing for the same finite pool of resources. AI enemies patrol the environment. Other players will hunt you. Your job is to gather what you can and reach an extraction point before either kills you. If you die, you lose what you were carrying.
There are six Runner shells to choose from, each built around a different combat approach: Destroyer for frontline fighting, Recon for mobility and information, Thief for stealth and ambush. A faction system adds seasonal progression, cosmetics, and loadout upgrades the longer you play.
Key Gameplay Features
🎯Extraction Format
Every match is a high-stakes run. Scavenge resources, fight your way through enemies, and reach an extraction point. Die before extracting and you lose everything you were carrying.
🤖Six Runner Shells
Choose from Destroyer, Recon, Thief, and three additional shells. Each has a distinct set of abilities, strengths, and drawbacks that shape how you approach every encounter.
👥Crew and Solo Play
Deploy as a 2 to 3 player crew or go solo as Rook, with no starting gear and nothing to lose. Both modes share the same maps and player pool.
⚔️PvPvE Combat
AI enemies and rival Runners share the same space. You can use AI patrols to your advantage, lure players into danger zones, or avoid conflict entirely and focus on scavenging.
🏛️Faction Progression
Six competing factions offer seasonal power progression, cosmetics, and loadout upgrades. Aligning with a faction shapes your long-term progression and available gear.
🔒Cryo Archive Raids
The endgame Cryo Archive features raid-like vault challenges with advanced security measures. This is the hardest content in the game and requires coordinated crew play.
🤔 Is This Game for You?
✅ You Will Love It If:
- You enjoy extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov or Hunt: Showdown
- You like coordinated crew play with friends
- You want a game with long-term seasonal progression
- You are a Bungie fan and enjoy their gunplay
❌ You Might Not If:
- You prefer solo single-player campaigns
- You dislike losing gear on death
- You want a casual, low-stakes shooter
- You are bothered by kernel-level anti-cheat software
🎮 Our Take
Marathon is a confident return for Bungie in a genre they have not worked in before. The extraction format rewards preparation and punishes recklessness, which creates genuine tension in every run. The Runner shell system gives the game more identity than most extraction shooters manage at launch.
If you have a regular crew to play with, Marathon will reward you. Solo play is functional but the game is clearly designed around coordination. At $39.99 it sits at a fair price for the amount of content available at launch.
🖥️ Why Play on PC?
- Mouse Precision: Extraction shooters live and die on gunfight accuracy. Mouse aim gives you a consistent edge in the close-range firefights that decide who extracts.
- Higher Framerates: Marathon’s fast movement and tight PvP encounters benefit from 60fps or above. PC hardware scales beyond what the PS5 version targets.
- Cross-Platform Play: PC players are in the same pool as console players. You are not splitting into a smaller matchmaking pool by choosing PC.
- Performance Flexibility: Adjust resolution, texture settings, and frame rate targets to match your hardware. Minimum spec is accessible: GTX 1050 Ti gets you in the door.
5 Tips for Your First Extraction
Most first-time Runners die before reaching an extraction point. These habits help.
1. Learn the extraction points before you learn the loot
New players focus on scavenging and forget to track where they are relative to an exit. Memorise at least two extraction points on your starting map before you think about looting routes.
2. Start with Destroyer if you are new to extraction shooters
Recon and Thief reward positioning knowledge you do not have yet. Destroyer lets you fight your way through problems while you learn the maps and enemy behaviour.
3. Do not fight every engagement
Dying means losing your loot. If another crew has the positional advantage, disengage and find another route. A successful extraction with half the loot beats a wipe every time.
4. Use AI enemies as a tool
Enemy patrols are not just obstacles. You can lure rival Runners into an AI encounter, use the noise of a firefight to mask your own movement, or let AI soften a player before pushing.
5. Commit to one faction early and stick with it
Faction progression compounds over time. Spreading attention across multiple factions slows your access to upgrades and seasonal gear. Pick one that fits your playstyle and focus there first.
Gameplay Screenshots
Here is what Marathon looks like running on PC.
Official Trailer
Bungie’s official gameplay reveal for Marathon on PC.
System Requirements
Marathon runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11. An SSD is recommended for faster load times.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-6600 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-10400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3500 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | GTX 1050 Ti 4GB / RX 5500 XT 4GB | RTX 2060 6GB / RX 5700 XT 8GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | SSD recommended. | |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marathon free to play?
No. Marathon is a paid game priced at $39.99 USD for the Standard Edition and $59.99 USD for the Deluxe Edition. Both are available on Steam.
Do I need a team to play Marathon?
No. Marathon supports solo play via the Rook mode, where you deploy as a solo scavenger with no starting gear. Crew-based play with 2 to 3 players is the intended experience, but solo lobbies are available.
Which Runner shell should I start with?
For new players, Destroyer is the most straightforward choice. It is built for direct combat and does not require advanced knowledge of positioning or stealth. Recon suits players who prefer movement and information over firepower.
Is there an anti-cheat system?
Yes. Marathon uses BattlEye, a kernel-level anti-cheat that runs at game launch. It is required to play online and cannot be disabled.
Can I play Marathon offline?
No. Marathon requires an active internet connection at all times. There is no offline mode.
🔗 Helpful Community Links
For guides, patch notes, and the latest news on Marathon:
- Marathon on X (official Bungie updates)
- r/Marathon_Bungie on Reddit (player tips, discussions, meta guides)
- Steam Community Hub (patch notes, guides, and screenshots)
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