Before becoming a renowned name alongside Halo and Destiny, Bungie made a significant mark in the gaming industry with a series of science fiction titles known as Marathon.
While many may think of Marathon as a completely new IP, in reality, it is a legacy stemming from the 1990s—a golden age of the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, alongside titles like Doom and Quake.
Now, as the new version of Marathon adopts a modern aesthetic, players can experience that legendary journey for free in the present day.
The official release date of the new Marathon version is eagerly anticipated by the gaming community. After Bungie unveiled the first gameplay images to generate excitement, all that remains is to wait. However, the waiting period will not be too long, as the alpha version of Marathon has been very close. Although the test experience is currently limited to the North American region and not everyone can participate, it still represents a rare opportunity for gamers to get hands-on with Bungie’s future FPS bombshell.
If you haven’t participated in the alpha yet, don’t be too disappointed—currently, players can enjoy the classic trilogy of Marathon for free. Known as Marathon Classic, this trilogy has been remastered by the Aleph One development team, featuring enhancements such as a wider HUD, 3D lighting effects, enhanced sound design, and frame rates pushed to over 60 FPS. While maintaining the original essence and style of the classic FPS games, this new version of Marathon has been optimized to deliver a more immersive gaming experience. It’s worth noting that these are titles from the early 90s—completely different from the modern FPS style that Bungie is pursuing in the new Marathon.
Players can access the first three parts of Marathon Classic on Steam, and you can easily find the remaining two parts by searching for the keyword “Classic Marathon.” If you want to join the alpha version of the new Marathon, all you need to do is enter the official Discord server of the game and type /alpha in the alpha_access channel to register for the chance to experience it early.
