Bungie's Marathon Trilogy Revived by Fans, Heading to Steam

Bungie's classic '90s FPS, Marathon, is set for a Steam revival thanks to Aleph One Developers, bringing this seminal sci-fi shooter to new audiences with upgraded features. Fans can expect to experience the same nostalgic gameplay with enhancements like widescreen HUD support, modern 3D filtering, positional audio, and smoother frame rates exceeding 60 fps. The game places players on the UESC Marathon, orbiting Tau Ceti, where they must defend against alien forces.

Marathon, which established Bungie's reputation before Halo and Destiny, is recognized for its contributions to the genre and has had two sequels. Aleph One's platform currently offers the best way to enjoy the original trilogy on PCs. Bungie has hinted at a new Marathon game under development, set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S, with scarce details available.

Bungie has also been in the news for recent changes in their executive lineup as they gear up for the new Marathon release and other future projects. With the classic Marathon trilogy receiving new attention, long-time fans and newcomers alike are eagerly wishlisting the game on Steam in anticipation.

The system requirements for Marathon on Steam have not been announced yet, but players can expect that they should be fairly modest given the game's classic status and the nature of the Aleph One enhancements aimed at preserving the original aesthetic.

The Marathon series is fondly remembered as a precursor to Bungie's later successes with Halo. As an early pioneer in the first-person shooter genre, its deep storyline, complex level design, and innovative features like dual-wielded and guided weapons, as well as networked multiplayer, left an indelible mark in the gaming landscape. The first game takes place aboard the starship Marathon, where players fight to fend off an alien invasion by the Pfhor, introducing gamers to an epic narrative that unfolds across the trilogy.