Marathon has pulled back the curtains on its first set of four playable characters, unveiling Blackbird, Glitch, Locus, and Void. The launch will also include two additional characters, broadening the lineup when Marathon lands on PC and consoles on September 23. The game’s eclectic player roster promises a mix of varied skills and distinct weaknesses.
In the long-anticipated return of Marathon, players got their first taste of gameplay and character insights. Adding to the excitement, Bungie has announced that even more character classes will debut when the game is officially released.
Originally teased in May 2023, the revival of Marathon marks not only a fresh venture into the extraction shooter genre but also signifies Bungie’s maiden release under the Sony Interactive Entertainment umbrella. Sony, having purchased Bungie in July 2022 for a humongous $3.6 billion, has now positioned the studio to unveil this exciting new chapter.
April 12 saw Bungie take the covers off Marathon, serving fans a mix of quick game snippets and a captivating nine-minute animated short to dive into its lore. The reveal also brought clarity about the initial cast of Runners, introducing Blackbird, Glitch, Locus, and Void.
Talking about the characters, they bring a distinctive flair. While both Void and Blackbird have a penchant for defense, they accomplish this differently. Void embodies the stealth strategy, dodging danger with smoke grenades and camouflage, favoring hit-and-run operations. Meanwhile, Blackbird is all about reconnaissance, keen on locating foes and sharing this intel.
For players who gravitate towards a more aggressive stance, Locus is the way to go. With formidable offensive capabilities, Locus thrives on taking the fight straight to the enemy, albeit with less defensive armor. Filling out the quartet is Glitch, a swift and elusive character who capitalizes on better positioning to outmaneuver her adversaries.
Bungie has kept some secrets, teasing two supplementary classes that will join the fray on launch day. With Marathon’s rollout drawing nearer, more details about these unannounced characters are expected to surface well before the game’s September 23 debut. An upcoming closed alpha test might give early players an inside look, albeit under tight NDA restrictions, ensuring that no premature leaks spoil the surprise.
As we inch closer to release, the anticipation for Marathon’s fresh take on the shooter genre continues to build, backed by the legacy of Bungie, now under the robust stewardship of Sony Interactive Entertainment.
