Marathon’s Big PvE Update Is Starting to Look a Lot Like Destiny

Marathon, Bungie’s extraction shooter released in March, has undergone extensive updates to broaden its appeal after falling short of initial expectations. The upcoming Symbiosis update, launching Dec. 8, introduces Expedition, a new PvE-only roguelite mode playable solo or in crews, emphasizing environmental challenges over player combat. The update also includes a Team Deathmatch beta mode for small-scale competitive play without risking permanent loadouts.

Limbo, a new social space, will serve as a hub for players to interact, test weapons, and socialize without combat, resembling Destiny’s social areas like The Tower. This addition aligns Marathon more closely with Bungie’s FPS MMO-like design philosophy, expanding beyond its original extraction-focused gameplay.

The Bishop Runner shell, designed for fast movement and melee combat, will be available at launch, alongside a major overhaul of the introductory map Perimeter. New playable areas, including underground Burrows and submerged Reservoir, will debut, along with a new enemy encounter featuring the Tick Queen.

To promote the update, Bungie will host an Open Play Week from Dec. 8–15, allowing free access to Marathon on PlayStation 5 or PC, though a PS Plus account is required for multiplayer on PS5. The update reflects Bungie’s effort to diversify Marathon’s appeal beyond its initial PvPvE focus.