Steam users have given high marks to Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon in its early phase. However, discussions within the gaming community highlight challenges such as a confusing interface, a steep learning curve, and the high stakes of the PvPvE system, all of which make it difficult for new players to get started.

Launch and Steam Reviews

Marathon launched on Steam with a positive rating. The store page lists the release date as March 5, 2026. At the time of publication, the game held a "Very Positive" rating in English, with 15,372 English-language reviews and 19,225 reviews overall. Despite the high average score, the discussions under this rating reveal mixed opinions.

Players note that the core gameplay feels more rewarding than the tutorial phase. Many praise the shooting mechanics and the gameplay loop, but expect Bungie to address current shortcomings to maintain player trust. Discussions also highlight the game's engaging gameplay, though concerns remain about the risks associated with the live-service model.

Gameplay Features

Marathon is positioned as a PvPvE survival extraction FPS, focusing on limited resources, evacuation, character upgrades for successful runs, and zones with increasing difficulty. The game's intensity is intentional, but many players feel the game doesn't clearly explain how to handle these features.

Reddit Discussions

Opinions on Reddit are also divided. Positive posts praise the visual style and gameplay, expressing hope for the project's success. At the same time, the main complaints on the platform include an inconvenient interface, the need to hover over items for information, and insufficient support for casual players. Some users feel the game doesn't explain its mechanics well enough, which could discourage newcomers.

Bungie's Response and Changes

Bungie has released official tips for new players, recommending they take more ammo and medkits, search for supply crates, and conserve resources by using a knife against weaker enemies. These suggestions highlight that inexperienced players can quickly run out of resources or misunderstand the game's expectations.

In a Steam community update, Bungie increased the visibility range of navigation points, added more medkits and ammo crates on the Perimeter map, and boosted the starting ammo in some free kits. These changes aim to improve readability and survivability, showing the studio's responsiveness to player feedback.

Outlook and Challenges

Early user reactions to Marathon go beyond simple review scores. Many players believe Bungie has created an interesting product, and the average Steam rating remains high. On Reddit, there is a noticeable group supporting the game's artistic direction and potential, and even skeptical users acknowledge the quality of the shooting mechanics.

However, criticism focuses on specific aspects: a confusing interface, difficult onboarding, pressure on casual players, and a high entry barrier that can feel hostile until the mechanics become clearer.

Currently, Marathon resonates with an audience willing to accept its terms. The main question is whether Bungie can broaden its player base without losing the game's unique identity. If the studio continues to improve clarity, resource balance, and the onboarding experience, the current difficulty could become part of the game's identity. Otherwise, the same features that experienced players see as depth may remain a barrier for newcomers.