Marathon

A sci-fi extraction shooter where you loot alien ruins and blast rival runners to secure your gear before the timer runs out.

Last reviewed: May 8, 2026

Released Mar 2026 Atmospheric / Sci-fi / PvP

Marathon's punishing extraction loop and responsive devs make it a worthy Tarkov rival if you can handle the grind.

Previously an Editor's pick

For you if

You burned out on Tarkov's jank and want smoother gunplay.
You enjoy oppressive, risk-heavy PvPvE extraction loops.
You appreciate devs who patch and adjust based on player feedback weekly.

Not for you if

You have less than 10 hours a week to grind gear and quests.
You prefer casual shooters where dying costs nearly nothing.
You dislike sterile sci-fi industrial art styles and environments.

What players love

Gunplay and movement feel excellent, with devs actively responding to feedback — that keeps veterans hooked past 100 hours.

What frustrates them

The grind demands near full-time commitment, punishing casual players who can't keep up with the economy.

See the reviews behind this →

What critics say

9/10IGN
Marathon is a ruthless and unforgiving extraction shooter that's worth every ounce of hell it puts you through.
Travis Northup Read review →
90/100PC Gamer
Marathon is a brilliant distillation of what makes an excellent extraction shooter, and a glimpse at where they could go next.
Morgan Park Read review →
4/5Eurogamer
With spellbinding combat and high-concept maps, Marathon is far more than a cool aesthetic draped over the bones of an extraction shooter.
Rick Lane Read review →

Before You Play

Refreshed monthly

Is Marathon pay-to-win or fair to free players?

Marathon is fair to free players, with Bungie explicitly stating there is 'no pay for power' — no gameplay-affecting items are sold, only cosmetics. Seasonal reward passes do not expire, so free players can earn all rewards at their own pace. The $40 base game includes access to all seasonal content updates at no extra cost.

Source: Eurogamer

Is Marathon polished at launch, or does it feel rushed?

Marathon launches with several rough edges: players report a confusing UI, infrequent PvP matchmaking, and non-functional voice chat, as noted by Bungie's own response to complaints. The server slam preview also revealed progression and matchmaking issues that need patching. Despite this, the core extraction shooter gameplay is engaging enough that reviewers still recommend it as a flawed but worthwhile experience.

Source: GamesRadar+

Can Marathon be played solo, or does it require a squad?

Marathon is designed as a squad-based game, but solo play is possible. Playing alone essentially puts you in hard mode: you'll face tougher enemies and other players without backup, and cannot be revived. For the best chance, choose a Shell with self-sustain abilities and take fights cautiously.

Source: Shacknews

Is Marathon beginner-friendly, or does it have a steep learning curve?

Marathon is more forgiving than other extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov, making it relatively beginner-friendly. However, it still has a steep learning curve due to the many systems you need to learn at once. Recent updates have increased consumable capacities to help new players survive.

Source: IGN Beginner's Guide

Is the Marathon community welcoming to new players?

According to players with around 100 hours of play, Marathon has very few toxic interactions compared to other shooters, and players are friendly and willing to explain map mechanics. However, the developers removed proximity chat to prevent toxicity, and some negativity exists in discussions. Overall, the community is largely welcoming, though isolated cases of toxicity can still occur.

Source: Reddit r/Marathon