Marathon

Marathon has excellent gunplay but launches bare-bones with poor UI, uninspired maps, and predatory monetization. Lacks the depth expected from Bungie after years of development.

Excellent extraction shooter with phenomenal gunplay and diverse character shells.

Solid extraction shooter with excellent gunplay. Sweaty intense experience not for casuals.

Sequel with enhanced storytelling and groundbreaking Forge map editor. Laid foundational community tools.

Early impressions are strongly positive, with the standout being peak Bungie gunplay paired with an excellent, surprisingly story-rich loot loop that keeps you chasing quests, factions, and lore. Weak spots are the rough onboarding that leaves players unsure what to do, clunky geometry and heavy movement, and an oppressive heat/stamina and inventory friction baked into the extraction format. The long-term verdict hinges on how well the endgame holds up.

An utterly unusual but charmingly unique party game that delivers ridiculous fun and value, though its janky nature and unconventional aesthetic are not for everyone.

Marathon is a bold extraction shooter from Bungie with exceptional gunplay, deep build crafting, and a gorgeous sci-fi world. It rewards investment with a dense progression system and works for both squad and solo players, though it lacks instant fun factor and requires commitment to master.