Marathon has pulled back the curtain to unveil its first four playable Runners: Blackbird, Glitch, Locus, and Void. This diverse lineup boasts a wide range of skills and weaknesses, enhancing the strategic depth of the game. The much-anticipated extraction shooter is also set to introduce two more characters at its official release on September 23 for both PC and consoles.
In this recent showcase, Bungie provided a glimpse into the gameplay, spotlighting these classes among others planned for launch day in their upcoming title. This marks a significant chapter for the Marathon series, reintroduced to fans in May 2023. It’s not just the first extraction shooter in the franchise but also the inaugural game Bungie will release under Sony Interactive Entertainment, following the tech giant’s acquisition in a $3.6 billion deal concluded in July 2022.
A mere month shy of the two-year mark since the game was announced, Bungie unveiled Marathon this past April 12. The Sony-affiliated developers treated fans to brief yet diverse gameplay snippets and a nine-minute animated short introducing the game’s lore. The spotlight also fell on four distinct Marathon classes, affectionately known as “Runners” in its cyberpunk universe. Making their debut were Blackbird, Glitch, Locus, and Void.
Now, let’s delve into these intriguing characters. Blackbird and Void stand out with their more defensive approaches, albeit in unique ways. Void, the stealth maestro, employs tactics like smoke grenades and a cloaking suit to steer clear of trouble, thriving on hit-and-run strategies. Blackbird, contrastingly, is less about sneaking and more about gaining intelligence, thanks to her ability to scout enemy positions.
In Marathon’s current roster, Blackbird is portrayed by Nika Futterman, with her playstyle emphasizing cautious movements based on opponent reconnaissance. Meanwhile, Glitch, voiced by Erica Lindbeck, is all about speed and agility, taking control by securing the best positions in a match. Locus, yet unnamed in the voice department, thrives on offense vigor with a fragile defense, rewarding those who adopt an aggressive tactical stance. Void, given life by Elias Toufexis, crafts an enigma-like play with his stealth-driven tactics.
For players who enjoy direct confrontation, Locus is your go-to, armed with formidable offensive skills but lagging in defense, naturally encouraging a bold playing style. Meanwhile, Glitch, our nimble tactician, excels in maneuvering with precision and speed, using her positioning prowess to stay ahead of opponents.
Bungie’s keeping some cards close to its chest, promising two additional classes to be revealed before Marathon’s retail launch. Both are set to be showcased before the game lands on September 23. Although the complete lineup will likely appear during the closed alpha test, participants will need to adhere to non-disclosure agreements, minimizing character leaks before the official release.
