- Primary Subject: Marathon (2026) – Pre-Launch Preview
- Key Update: The Server Slam confirmed that despite a complex UI, the core gameplay loop and intense extraction mechanics are polished enough to convert even FPS traditionalists.
- Status: Confirmed (Full launch scheduled for March 5, 2026).
- Last Verified: March 3, 2026.
- Quick Answer: Marathon is a bold, high-stakes extraction shooter from Bungie that pairs a steep UI learning curve with a rewarding, adrenaline-fueled gameplay loop on Tau Ceti IV.
Believe it or not, but despite being a huge fan of First-Person Shooters, I went into the recent Marathon Server Slam completely blind. As a 1999 baby, I wasn’t even born when the original Marathon was released in ‘94 (sorry if that makes you feel old).
Despite my lack of lore knowledge, the sheer level of anticipation surrounding the reboot has been catching my attention in the months leading up to launch, and as an FPS gamer, I naturally found myself eager to give it a try.
With Marathon being extraction-focused, I’ll admit to being a little skeptical at first. I like the concept, but my experience with extraction shooters is limited. Then there’s the game’s overall aesthetic. Bright, vibrant colors and a futuristic sci-fi environment; these are all things I wouldn’t usually go for or enjoy when jumping into an FPS.
Yet when I booted up the Server Slam for the first time, my intrigue was still intact, and I knew I couldn’t judge a book by its cover. It was time to find out what all of the hype is about, and whether or not it’s justified.
First Impressions: The UI
Now, before we dive any deeper, let’s address the elephant in the room. Marathon's menu UI, for the Server Slam at least, was… quite something.
With my brain having already been fried from a rather mind-bending intro cutscene, it was in full meltdown mode when I reached the main menu. An overload of text and imagery, combined with a rather awkward cursor-based navigation system on console, didn’t give an overly great first impression.
However, it is only fair that I immediately flip the coin and admit that it became much easier to process the more I played. Sure, it could definitely do with some improvements in certain areas, but after a couple of hours, it became relatively straightforward to navigate. It’s one of those where it may seem overwhelming at first, but with time and patience, the layout will become second nature.
One thing I certainly can’t fault about Marathon’s UI is the attention to detail poured into it. While it’s not the cleanest I’ve encountered, it carries personality and atmosphere, far from the generic and rather basic AAA menus we so often see today. It genuinely feels like it belongs in the world Bungie has built here, representing that neon-soaked, sci-fi tension the game is aiming for.
Menus, Customization, and Progression
Within the main menu, you’ll find everything you’d expect: loadouts, character selection, customization, the skill tree, and more.
The faction skill tree is a nice touch, letting you distribute credits earned from successful runs and challenges into meaningful upgrades. It adds a sense of long-term progression that extraction shooters desperately need, although it’s one of the many areas that could use some quality-of-life polish to improve clarity. There were moments where I felt like I was fighting the menu more than planning for my next run.
One feature I appreciated the most, however, was the contract system. Before deploying, you can activate available objectives to chase during your run. Again, is it revolutionary? No, but that small addition makes a huge difference. Instead of sneaking across the map with no real plan or mission, you’ve got a purpose.
Some contracts are simple enough, while others require you to step into high-risk territory, with rewards scaling in a way that makes the danger feel like a second thought. I found myself deliberately pushing into areas I would normally avoid just to tick off an objective, and when you finally extract with contract rewards on top of whatever loot you’ve gathered, it emphasizes that sense of triumph.
Gunplay and Combat
Easy with your pitchforks now, but I’m not someone who has played much Halo or Destiny before. That said, Bungie clearly hasn’t lost the spark that made it a household name in the first place. Gunfights felt and sounded extremely satisfying, creating punchy, intense, and responsive combat.
One thing I noticed in particular was how each map design constantly shifts the rhythm of encounters. One moment you’re locked in a tight hallway, desperately trying to land all of your shots; the next, you’re engaging across a sprawling open zone. That constant change in distance prevents encounters from becoming repetitive.
The risk-versus-reward loop is the beating heart of any extraction shooter, and thankfully, Marathon really shines in this aspect. There’s a different kind of panic that sets in when the extraction timer starts ticking down, and you know other players are on your back.
I had a few runs where I dropped in with a basic free loadout, only to walk away stacked with high-tier gear. Trying to defend that loot while racing toward the extraction site is borderline nerve-wracking, but when you get out safe and sound, nothing ever beats that dopamine rush. It’s the kind of adrenaline spike that makes you want to immediately queue up again.
If you weren’t already aware, Marathon is a PvPvE shooter, and there were occasions when I felt the AI became slightly too aggressive. Taking on two or three at a time, no problem. But when an increased level of enemy activity kicks in, and there are several chasing you at once during a solo run, I personally thought it was a bit much. This was my only real gripe with the combat.
Visuals, Performance, and Atmosphere
Visually, Marathon is impressively bold and vibrant. Neon blues and toxic greens slice through every corner, giving the whole experience a striking but unique identity. Having become so used to the more grounded, realistic aesthetics of Battlefield 6 since October, I was wary that Marathon would take me out of my comfort zone even more, but if anything, it made a nice change.
The soundtrack deserves a mention too. Its eerie, unsettling sci-fi tone never quite makes you feel comfortable, even when you’re safe in the menus.
As well as looking sharp on PS5, performance was generally very smooth. While I did notice the odd split-second stutter, it never once disrupted the action or cost me a run. As far as server tests go, I was pleasantly surprised.
Final Thoughts
I’ll be honest: I went into the Server Slam curious, sure, but a large part of me was already certain that it probably wasn’t going to be my cup of tea. Extraction shooters can feel punishing, repetitive, and unforgiving, and I expected to jump off it after just a couple of games.
Instead, I’m sitting here counting down the days until the March 5 launch like a kid in the build-up to Christmas.
What surprised me most wasn’t just how striking the world looks, but how tight everything felt. Server tests can often be messy. Lag spikes, crashes, long queue times, you name it. But Marathon felt stable, smooth, and confident in what it's trying to achieve.
That’s not to say it’s flawless. The UI is still a maze; there’s no sugarcoating that. But I think a lot of it is tied to how unapologetically different Bungie is trying to be. It’s a steep learning curve, but weirdly, it all clicks and still works.
If the developers continue to take feedback on board and make the changes they’ve said they are, then we've got a game on our hands that I believe is full of potential. As skeptical as I was beforehand, I’m now more than ready to return to Tau Ceti IV.
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