Marathon To Add New Co-Op Roguelite Mode, Social Spaces, And Other Major Features In December
Bungie isn’t prepared to let its extraction shooter go quietly. Instead, Marathon’s upcoming ‘Symbiosis’ update arrives on December 8, bringing a whole host of new PvE and PvP modes. Having just finished watching the new gameplay trailer above, I’ve got to say, It’s giving off plenty of Destiny vibes.
I’m a big, big fan of Marathon, but that’s not to say I don’t think the game needs a shake-up. It clearly needs something to keep things ticking along. I can’t help but feel extremely hyped now that Bungie has shared a first look at all the new content coming next month.
The most interesting addition of the bunch is ‘Limbo’: a new social space. This is where runners can hang out, chat, test weapons at the firing range and challenge each other in the duelling pit. It reminds me of The Tower from Destiny 2.
Social spaces play a huge role in fostering a sense of community in games, and Bungie knows all about that. Just look at the time Destiny players gathered at The Tower en masse to mourn the passing of Lance Reddick, the voice of Commander Zavala.
Beyond that, ‘Expedition’ is a new co-op PvE roguelite mode. No PvP, just you and your crew going against new threats. PlayStation.Blog shared an official description of the the new mode:
“Expedition: Phase 1 of a new PvE-only mode built around a three-run series. Play solo or with a crew, face new combat and environmental challenges without PvP threats, and use Flash Boosts to shape your build during a run.”
If battling it out against other runners is more your style, Marathon is getting it’s first PvP mode, Deathmatch (Beta) pitting quick 3v3 matches against one another. Personally, I think this is a great way to let players get used to the game’s arsenal of weapons and gadgets without the time commitment that comes with extraction.
There are a few other new bits and bobs coming to Marathon in December, including a new runner shell, which we’ll cover below:
- Updated Perimeter zone – Fungal growth and alien life have transformed Perimeter, introducing new playable spaces including the underground Burrows and submerged Reservoir. Runners will also encounter the Tick Queen, who lurks deep beneath the surface.
- Bishop Runner shell – A new Runner shell built around the fantasy of a fast, surgical blade-wielding robot.
- New weapons – The V17 Flamethrower brings short-range area denial, while the Maverick introduces a new revolver archetype with a hand-cannon feel.
To coincide with the Symbiosis update, Bungie will also be hosting an Open Play Week starting December 8, allowing new players to download and play Marathon for free.
