Marathon is back in the spotlight, and this time it’s through leaks from the latest closed tests. Bungie reportedly had nearly 900 players jumping in, putting the extraction shooter through its paces and giving the studio fresh feedback on where things stand.

One of the biggest details? Proximity chat. According to The Game Post, testers are already using it in matches, and for anyone who’s spent hours in Escape from Tarkov, you’ll know just how important it is. The ability to hear enemies – or bargain with them – could be a make-or-break feature for the tension Bungie is aiming for.

Combat isn’t standing still either. The time-to-kill has been dialled down, making encounters faster and deadlier than what players saw in earlier builds. Healing and damage mechanics are also being rebalanced to stop items from feeling too overpowered. On top of that, death animations have been changed – no more disappearing in a puff of smoke. Now, player bodies stick around, giving firefights a grittier edge.

Progression is getting attention too. A new Codex challenges menu has appeared, along with cosmetic profile titles and even a shooting range to test weapons before heading into the real thing. These are small touches, but they hint at Bungie pushing for longevity in a genre where staying power is everything.

Still, the road ahead isn’t clear. With plagiarism accusations hanging over Marathon and a crowded field of competitors, many wonder if Marathon can carve out its place. Bungie’s trying – but is it enough?

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