Bungie reveals Marathon gameplay and release date, closed alpha test announced
Bungie has finally released gameplay footage of Marathon, its upcoming extraction shooter, that will be released in September. Fans in North America can also sign up for a chance to participate in the closed alpha test, which will begin next week.
The details:
The game, a reboot of Bungie's pre-Halo FPS franchise, was revealed for the first time during a livestream last week. Described as a "team-based extraction shooter," players take on the role of Runners, cybernetic mercenaries who must fight solo or in squads of up to three against up to 18 other players on the planet Tau Ceti IV in order to secure valuable loot.
Marathon will feature six classes, but only four have been shown so far. This includes Void, a stealth class that employs active camouflage and smoke grenades, and Glitch, which boasts improved speed while outplaying opponents through positioning and forcing them into uncomfortable fights. For those looking to provide important intel for their squad, Blackbird can detect enemy positions, whereas Locus is ideal for aggressive players due to its increased offensive capabilities at the expense of poor defense. There is no class limit in a squad, so all three players can choose to play Locus if they want.
According to Bungie, Tau Ceti IV will have multiple zones that contain not only other players, but also dangerous security forces and "otherworldly threats." Players will be able to obtain "weapons, materials, and equipment" at key points of interest, with a variety of factions assisting in keeping Runners stocked between games.
Marathon will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on September 23, 2025, with cross-play and cross-progression support. Bungie has confirmed that it will be a paid premium title with a battle pass, but it is not expected to be released for full price, with Sony said to be considering a $40 price tag.
For those in the US and Canada, you can sign up for a chance to participate in the game's closed alpha test, which begins on April 23 via the Marathon Discord server. Fans from the rest of the world, as well as those who were unable to secure a spot, can still sign up for future tests using the form.
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