Bungie Details Marathon Season 2: New Sentinel Class, Map, and Free Play Week
Bungie has unveiled details for Marathon Season 2, introducing the new Sentinel class, a darker map, survival-horror elements, and a free-to-play week starting June 2. New progression systems and weapons will also be featured.
Bungie is expanding its upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, with Season 2 set to launch on June 2. The update will introduce a new player class, a revamped map focused on survival horror, and a significant change to the game's progression system. To celebrate, Bungie is hosting an "Open Play Week" from June 2 to June 9, offering all players free access to the full game on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with any progress earned carrying over.
The developers revealed that Season 2 will bring the "Night" variant of the Dire Marsh map, designed to be significantly darker with reduced sightlines, emphasizing stealth and close-quarters combat. This shift aligns with a broader focus on slower-paced, survival-horror-inspired gameplay. New equipment such as flashlights, vector rounds, darksight scopes, and flares will aid players in navigating the treacherous environments.
A major addition is the Sentinel, Marathon's first post-launch class. The Sentinel is engineered for area control and defense, utilizing a Defender System that neutralizes incoming grenades and missiles while providing a buff to nearby allies. Its tactical ability allows for the deployment of a snare mine to immobilize enemy Runners, and passive abilities grant increased damage resistance against splash damage, faster handling of close-range weapons, and motion tracking for nearby targets.
Evolving Player Progression
Bungie is also overhauling the game's progression with a new system called "The Cradle." Instead of traditional seasonal resets, players will empower WEAVEworms to enhance their Runner shell stats across six categories and unlock potent perks. The Matter Converter will transform unwanted loot into experience for The Cradle. This progression energy is shareable across all player shells and can be reallocated without penalty, offering greater flexibility.
In addition to the Sentinel class and new progression mechanics, Season 2 will feature two new weapons: the KKV-9SD SMG, known for its high rate of fire, and the D54 Battle Pistol, suitable for one-on-one engagements with its three-round burst. Bungie also indicated that new mods and chips will be integrated into the game, further customizing player builds and loadouts. The studio aims to reinvent progression with each seasonal reset, making Marathon a constantly evolving experience for its player base.
The game's ongoing development follows the recent announcement that its predecessor, Destiny 2, will cease receiving new content after June. Bungie's commitment to Marathon signals a strategic shift in focus for the studio, aiming to build a new flagship franchise. The introduction of a new class, a revamped map, and a unique progression system in Season 2 are designed to attract new players during the free play week and retain existing ones with deeper gameplay mechanics.