Marathon drops March 5 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC with 7 playable classes

Marathon game drops March 5 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam) with 7 distinct playable Runner shells reshaping extraction shooter gameplay. Bungie’s first new Marathon in 30 years arrives with Destroyer, Assassin, Recon, Vandal, Thief, Triage, plus solo-focused Rook. Get ready.

Meet the Seven Playable Runner Shells Launching March 5

Bungie revealed all 7 Runner shells in a groundbreaking developer insights video January 15. Each shell represents a unique gameplay archetype designed for specific team roles. Destroyer leads aggressive combat with barricade tech and missile systems. Assassin deploys synthetic smoke and camouflage for unseen strikes. Recon excels at intel using echo pulses and tracker drones. Vandal disruptsvia mobility and knockback cannons. Thief specializes in loot acquisition with grapples and butterfly drones. Triage keeps squads alive through healing drones and reboot abilities. Finally, Rook offers solo drop-in gameplay without risking loadouts.

Deep Customization with Cores and Implants

Marathon’s genius plays out in buildcrafting depth that rivals top tier extraction shooters. You equip cores (shell-specific ability modifiers) plus implants (universal stat boosters with fixed perks). Example: Vandal’s arm cannon becomes self-propelling, launching you skyward then dealing AoE on landing. Cores redesign how abilities function. Implants grant passive stats plus random buffs. The combination system ensures zero two configurations play identically. Your extracted loot directly powers custom builds.

Runner Shells Feature Breakdown

“Each Runner shell is built around a different gameplay archetype, such as intel gathering, combat disruption, or combat healing. With distinct silhouettes, shells allow you to evaluate player threats and strategize your next steps on the fly.”

— Bungie Dev Team, Official Developer Insights

Extraction Mechanics Define the Full Marathon Experience

Marathon operates as a PvPvE extraction shooter supporting teams of 3 players in zones housing up to 18 rival runners. UESC security forces add environmental threats. Victory requires collecting loot through contract completion, then extracting safely to bank gear. Complete work for factions like MIDA to unlock story beats revealed through the Codex system. Narrative unfolds via discovered audio logs, cryptic graffiti, and abandoned colony systems scattered across Tau Ceti IV’s mysterious landscape. Story threads connect directly to loot extraction.

Should You Preorder Marathon on March 5?

Pre-orders unlock exclusive cosmetics including weapon skins, emblems, backgrounds, and Destiny 2 rewards for linked accounts. Standard Edition costs $39.99, while Deluxe Edition ($49.99) adds Premium Rewards Pass vouchers plus Midnight Decay cosmetics for Vandal, Destroyer, Assassin, and Thief shells. A premium Collector’s Edition features a detailed Thief shell statue plus embroidered patches. Full cross-play and cross-save across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam PC launch simultaneously. Will you craft your Marathon playstyle?

Sources

• Bungie Official: Marathon release announcement and developer runner shells insights
• Steam Store: Official pricing and platform specifications
• PlayStation Blog: Console release details with Deluxe Edition information

Annabelle Ink

Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.