Marathon’s new footage has made a huge impact on the public, with some even saying that it looks like a whole new game. The visual overhaul of this extraction shooter is so significant that it has rebranded its image in the eyes of the public.
Initially, it was supposed to launch on 23 September 2025, but before that, it received negative engagement from players after its alpha tests fell flat.
Things got even worse after an artist named Fern “Antireal” Hook accused Bungie of using plagiarised artwork, which dealt a direct blow to the game’s PR and caused its popularity to decline. As a result, the game was pushed into an indefinite delay.
Marathon’s visual overhaul changes the conversation
Bungie shared a before-and-after comparison on its X account yesterday, showing how the game’s global illumination and environmental density have been overhauled. This made fans eager again, with some even calling it a whole new game. With these changes, Bungie has successfully bridged the gap between developer intent and player expectation.
After seeing the clip, it is clear that the game now looks good, and that Bungie used the indefinite delay not only to fix the game, but also to repair its relationship with fans. With Marathon now having a confirmed launch window of March 2026, it has become one of the most anticipated releases of the upcoming year.
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