Bungie has launched the closed alpha test for Marathon, its highly anticipated extraction shooter. The first day of testing is already complete, and the developers expressed gratitude to all participants and viewers, noting that the player turnout exceeded expectations. Impressively, the game even reached third place in Twitch viewership rankings.

Unlike many other early test phases, Marathon’s alpha is not under NDA restrictions, meaning participants are free to stream and share gameplay footage. As a result, numerous videos and livestreams showcasing the current state of the game are available on both YouTube and Twitch.

Early feedback from players has been mixed but informative. The gunplay has been widely praised for its feel and responsiveness, particularly regarding shooting mechanics and weapon handling. However, some participants criticized elements such as movement speed, aim assist, and limited in-game communication.

Bungie emphasized that the current build is still far from the final product. The primary goal of the alpha is to gather technical and gameplay feedback that will help shape the next stages of development. The studio is open to public impressions and actively encourages players to share their thoughts.

Marathon is scheduled to release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

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