Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Crimson Desert
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Don't miss these
Multi-colored digital man stares at the camera
FPS Games Marathon is a good game, former FPS pro Shroud says, "the problem right now is it's too hard"
Marathon cinematic shot of assassin runner
FPS Games Bungie makes Marathon less vicious as players keep leaving: update adds new friendly options
Marathon automaton looking up
FPS Games "Marathon is gonna be Game of the Year," actor Ben Starr says, thanks to award magnet Jennifer English
Key art for Marathon shows a squad of players in a red-lit room hiding in the shadows of data towers from an ominous, tall, floating red robot thing
FPS Games The ultimate Marathon guide to help you escape and make yourself god
Key art for Marathon showing a colorful cybernetic character with a gun taking cover
FPS Games Marathon review: "Bungie has created my favorite multiplayer shooter in years"
Marathon Triage runner
FPS Games Marathon sold just 1.2 million copies with nearly 70% on Steam, analyst estimates
Marathon cybernetic android face
FPS Games Marathon boss cryptically suggests the game may be too hard, confirms "big balance changes brewing"
Marathon Triage runner
FPS Games I'm playing Marathon like a single-player stealth sim, and after 70 hours of sneaking I'm begging you to try a solo run
Marathon Triage runner shell throwing out medic drone
FPS Games New Marathon patch seemingly makes the whole game a touch easier as Bungie nerfs UESC enemies, to fans' relief
Marathon player shooting at enemy vandal and triage runners
FPS Games Here are 15 Marathon tips and tricks for new players
Marathon Thief shell in dark lighting
FPS Games I'm in a situationship with Marathon's "worst" gun, and after 80 hours I'm not letting the meta break us up
A thief looking down a scope in Marathon
FPS Games After 80 hours of Marathon, I'm glad Bungie didn't try to please everyone
Alabaster Dawn protagonist Juno lying in a white bed
Action RPGs One of the best pixel art RPGs ever made is getting a spiritual sequel, and I’ve been hooked on its Steam Next Fest demo
Marathon Thief shell in dark lighting
FPS Games Marathon just buffed the best loot you can find outside Cryo Archive and nerfed the Thief exploit
Marathon Thief shell using grappling device
FPS Games As Marathon faces cheating issues Destiny 2 fans know all too well, Bungie promises anti-cheat improvements
  1. Games
  2. FPS Games
  3. Marathon

Marathon stays competitive with Arc Raiders, hits Steam with 91% 'Very Positive' reviews as fans let out a sigh of relief: "Bungie cooked"

News
By Kaan Serin published 6 March 2026

"It's what you expect from a Bungie game. Feels like something between Halo and Destiny."

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Marathon automaton looking up
(Image credit: Bungie / Sony)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
12
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Despite a turbulent journey to get here, Marathon has finally crossed the finish line and it's turned out exactly as you'd expect from a new Bungie FPS: it's good.

Marathon launched in full last night and it's already been met with a strong reception from players, debuting to a 'Very Positive' Steam rating, while an impressive 91% of its 4,400+ user reviews give it the thumbs up. That means it's even staying competitive with the subgenre's current big dog, Arc Raiders.

"Love this game's aesthetics. The art is very different than a lot of games on the market, and sometimes it's just gorgeous," one user review reads. "Gameplay is not as beginner friendly as Arc Raiders. However, the gunplay is way better. It's what you expect from a Bungie game. Feels like something between Halo and Destiny. So expect lots more players focusing on PvP."

Article continues below
You may like
  • A woman in a space helmet stares at something off the screen in Arc Raiders "I think it's going to be the next big thing": As Marathon's launch looms, will Arc Raiders' success help or hurt Bungie?
  • Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky tease shows a weathervane in front of a cloudy background. Arc Raiders boss says Marathon has "done a really good job" fixing things after "heavily criticized" technical test
  • Key art for Marathon showing a colorful cybernetic character with a gun taking cover Marathon is already the top-selling new game on Steam, dethroning Resident Evil Requiem

"Finally a game that's bold and confusing, lots of stuff to learn instead of just being held by your hand," another player gushes. "Also art & music team, you deserve a raise!"

"Bungie cooked," a third says over on the Marathon subreddit. One other player on the thread sums up what makes the game stand out quite nicely: "It's like a Halo Team Deathmatch played out over a longer span. On death, you lose your weapons and gear, but you get them or others back just as fast on the next run, just like you do when you respawn in Deathmatch."

The new game from the storied developer behind Halo and Destiny is pretty good. Who woulda guessed it? But the journey to get to launch wasn't exactly smooth for the studio. An art plagiarism scandal, an indefinite delay, and some criticisms levelled at the game's "fontslop" UI certainly raised a few eyebrows, but it's nice to see that it all worked out in time for launch.

Be sure to check out our guide to all Marathon characters and 15 Marathon tips for new players.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
TOPICS
Bungie
CATEGORIES
Xbox Series X PS5 PC Gaming Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Kaan Serin
Kaan Serin
Social Links Navigation
Freelance contributor

Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that's vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he'll soon forget.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
A woman in a space helmet stares at something off the screen in Arc Raiders
Action Games "I think it's going to be the next big thing": As Marathon's launch looms, will Arc Raiders' success help or hurt Bungie?
 
 
Arc Raiders Shrouded Sky tease shows a weathervane in front of a cloudy background.
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders boss says Marathon has "done a really good job" fixing things after "heavily criticized" technical test
 
 
Key art for Marathon showing a colorful cybernetic character with a gun taking cover
FPS Games Marathon is already the top-selling new game on Steam, dethroning Resident Evil Requiem
 
 
Key art for Marathon showing a colorful cybernetic character with a gun taking cover
FPS Games Marathon review: "Bungie has created my favorite multiplayer shooter in years"
 
 
A thief looking down a scope in Marathon
FPS Games After 80 hours of Marathon, I'm glad Bungie didn't try to please everyone
 
 
Marathon cybernetic android face
FPS Games Marathon is the third-best-selling game on Steam after its big server slam, trailing Resident Evil Requiem
 
 
Latest in FPS Games
Halo Infinite
Halo Halo dev fights "devs hate Halo" theories: "No one works a 60- or 80-hour week out of spite"
 
 
Mouse: P.I. For Hire screenshot featuring an enemy melting down to their skeleton
FPS Games Mouse: P.I. For Hire is great for a couple hours, fine for several more, and then a long exhausting exercise
 
 
Doom's chainsaw in front of a blurred background
FPS Games Doom co-designer still has the real chainsaw that inspired the OG FPS's iconic weapon
 
 
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Action Movies After 11 years in limbo, the live-action Call of Duty movie finally has a release date
 
 
Battlefield 6
Battlefield Battlefield 6 2026 roadmap revealed, and EA hopes to win players back with way more maps
 
 
Lucio sits atop the roof in Overwatch while wearing a new skin
FPS Games Overwatch players beg Blizzard to revert changes to popular mode after removing perks and 5v5 games
 
 
Latest in News
GTA 6 characters from trailer 2
Grand Theft Auto Take-Two CEO says AI should replace Elon Musk after his claim GTA 6 could come from gen-AI
 
 
Alyssa Sutherland as Ellie in Evil Dead Rise
Horror Movies Evil Dead Burn trailer promises bloody one-shot carnage with levitating Deadites
 
 
Elden Ring
Fantasy Movies Elden Ring movie sets 2028 release date, full cast, and confirms it will be filmed for IMAX
 
 
A reveal image of the new GameSir Tarantula Series controllers
Gaming Controllers GameSir's bizarrely discontinued TMR controller is being resurrected as an officially licensed Xbox peripheral
 
 
Shuhei Yoshida
Games PlayStation veteran Shuhei Yoshida says he was "fired" for not listening to ex-Sony boss Jim Ryan
 
 
Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones
DC Movies The actor behind one of Game of Thrones' most legendary characters is in talks to join the cast of The Batman 2
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. A reveal image of the new GameSir Tarantula Series controllers
    1
    GameSir's bizarrely discontinued TMR controller is being resurrected as an officially licensed Xbox peripheral
  2. 2
    Elden Ring movie sets 2028 release date, full cast, and confirms it will be filmed for IMAX
  3. 3
    The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 is a no-holds-barred cinephile projector
  4. 4
    Windrose is a pretty good karaoke cover of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag with a survival twist
  5. 5
    Stranger Things: Tales From '85 boss has an ironclad explanation as to why newbie Nikki isn't in season 3 of the OG show

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...