Bungie reveals the first full gameplay trailer for Marathon, a PvPvE extraction shooter launching September 23, 2025. With cross-play, six unique Runner classes, and stunning visuals, the reboot marks Bungie’s bold return to its roots.
Bungie has finally pulled the curtain back on Marathon, its long-anticipated extraction shooter and spiritual reboot of the 1994 cult classic. In a major livestream event, the studio unveiled a high-octane gameplay trailer and confirmed a release date: Marathon launches September 23, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Set on the mysterious abandoned colony of Tau Ceti IV, Marathon places players in the role of cybernetic mercenaries known as “Runners.” In squads of three, Runners drop into hostile environments to scavenge for loot, complete faction contracts, and extract before being eliminated by rival teams or deadly NPC enemies. True to its extraction shooter format, Marathon combines PvP and PvE dynamics—players must not only outwit human opponents but also navigate encounters with UESC forces and potentially rogue AI.
The game supports full cross-play and cross-save at launch, allowing friends across platforms to squad up seamlessly. Bungie has also opened registration for the closed alpha, which kicks off April 23. Access is limited and available via the official Marathon Discord.
The gameplay reveal showcased sleek, fast-paced combat, high-tech gear, and a stylized sci-fi aesthetic that stands apart from most shooters on the market. The art direction—helmed by Joe Cross, a former concept artist for Dune and Destiny 2—delivers a retro-futuristic vibe with bold colors and distinct character design.
At launch, players will be able to choose from six unique Runner archetypes, four of which have been revealed: Locus, Blackbird, Glitch, and Void. Each class offers different abilities and playstyles, encouraging team strategy and replayability. Match sizes will vary depending on the map, with the showcased “Dire Marsh” supporting up to 18 players.
The game’s loot system rewards successful extraction with retained gear and upgrades, while dying results in losing everything brought into the match. This high-stakes mechanic is central to Marathon‘s tension-filled gameplay loop.
Bungie also closed the livestream with a striking animated short directed by Oscar-winner Alberto Mielgo (The Windshield Wiper, Love, Death & Robots). The eight-minute film dives into the psychological toll of Runner life, showing consciousness being transferred between cybernetic bodies, intercut with memory calibration sequences reminiscent of Blade Runner 2049. Bungie has confirmed that the film draws inspiration from the 2020 sci-fi thriller Possessor by Brandon Cronenberg, reinforcing the game’s exploration of identity, mortality, and memory.
Despite being a Sony-owned studio, Bungie is keeping Marathon multiplatform. The game will not be free-to-play; it will launch as a premium title, though pricing details are still under wraps.
After years of teasers and behind-the-scenes development, Marathon is poised to become Bungie’s most ambitious project since Destiny 2. With its bold art style, cerebral narrative influences, and polished gunplay, Marathon is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most talked-about shooters.
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