Bungie's highly anticipated extraction shooter Marathon is now just over a month away from launch, and PC gamers looking to secure their copy early can already find significant discounts at third-party retailers. With the game carrying a premium price tag of £34.99 in the UK, these pre-order deals offer a welcome opportunity to experience Bungie's latest venture without paying full price.
Current Pre-Order Discounts
Two notable discounts are currently available for PC players looking to pre-order Marathon on Steam.
The steeper discount can be found at Loaded, where a Steam key pre-order is available at 23% off. This brings the standard £34.99 price down to £26.99. Importantly, this discounted purchase still includes the full pre-order bonus content, so buyers are not sacrificing any additional items by purchasing through this third-party retailer.
Fanatical is also offering Marathon at a reduced price, with a 14% discount bringing the game down to $34.39 in the US and £30.09 in the UK. No such discount is currently available directly on Steam itself.
It should be noted that Loaded is not currently selling keys for PlayStation or Xbox versions of Marathon. Console players seeking discounts will need to look elsewhere for deals on those platforms.
Pre-Order Bonus Contents
All pre-orders of Marathon, regardless of retailer, include a collection of cosmetic items for players to equip in-game. The pre-order bonus package contains:
- ZERO STEP 004 (CE Tactical Sidearm Style)
- ZERO STEP RC (Weapon Charm)
- ZERO STEP SHIFT (Weapon Sticker)
- APOGEE INTERCEPT (Background)
- APOGEE INTERCEPT (Emblem)
Exclusive Rewards for Destiny 2 Players
Players who have spent time with Bungie's other flagship title, Destiny 2, can claim additional cosmetic rewards by linking their accounts. These bonus items do not require a pre-order to obtain and are available simply through account linking. The Destiny 2 crossover rewards include:
- UESC Echo-type Shell Exotic Ghost
- UESC Rover Exotic Ship
- UESC Sprinter Exotic Sparrow
Deluxe Edition Also Discounted
For players looking to invest more heavily in Marathon from the start, the Deluxe Edition is also available at a reduced price through Loaded. The Deluxe Edition is currently priced at £39.99, down from its standard £49.99 price tag.
The Deluxe Edition provides several additional items beyond the standard pre-order bonuses:
- 1x Premium Rewards Pass Voucher
- 200 SILK Rewards Pass Tokens
- MIDNIGHT DECAY Misriah 2442 Pump Shotgun Style
- MIDNIGHT DECAY Overrun AR Style
- MIDNIGHT DECAY Vandal Shell Style
- MIDNIGHT DECAY Destroyer Shell Style
- MIDNIGHT DECAY Assassin Shell Style
- MIDNIGHT DECAY Thief Shell Style
What Is Marathon?
Marathon represents Bungie's return to its classic franchise, serving as a soft reboot of the original series. The game is an extraction shooter that brings Bungie's expertise from developing Destiny 2 into a new genre, wrapped in a distinctive neon art style that sets it apart visually from competitors.
The game takes place on Tau Ceti IV, a colony that has fallen into disarray. UESC Security Forces patrol the remains of a broken society, creating a hostile environment for players. As a Runner, players are equipped with cybernetic enhancements that allow them to scavenge the dangerous world for valuables. The core gameplay loop involves collecting gear and successfully extracting with it, with that gear then available for use in subsequent runs.
The competitive element comes from other Runners who share the same goals. Other players will be seeking gear upgrades and will not hesitate to take items from fallen opponents.
Customization and Progression
Marathon offers players the ability to tailor their approach through various customization options. Successful runs allow players to mod their weapons and utilize various body implants to suit their preferred playstyle. Whether players prefer to engage weakened enemies after battles or charge directly into combat, the game's systems appear designed to accommodate different tactical approaches.
Six competing factions are present in Marathon, each vying for player allegiance. These factions offer rewards for working with them and provide missions for players to complete, adding another layer to the game's progression structure.
Visual Style and Presentation
One aspect of Marathon that has already drawn attention is its aesthetic approach. The game features a neon-coated visual style with stylish weapon designs that have been described as a sci-fi combination of Destiny 2's weapon aesthetics and Nerf gun-like designs. Given Bungie's track record with Destiny 2, expectations are high that the studio will deliver on both the visual presentation and the gunplay mechanics.
Market Context and Concerns
Marathon enters a marketplace where extraction shooters have gained significant traction. Titles like Helldivers 2 and Arc Raiders have demonstrated that games in this genre can succeed if the quality is there. However, the £34.99 price point represents a significant ask in a genre that is becoming increasingly crowded with competitors.
Some community members have expressed concerns about Marathon's post-launch longevity. However, Bungie has already addressed these worries by promising a healthy list of content to look forward to throughout 2026, signaling their commitment to supporting the game after release.
The current discounts available at third-party retailers help mitigate the entry price concern for PC players, making Marathon a more accessible proposition for those interested in trying Bungie's take on the extraction shooter formula.
Summary of Available Deals
| Retailer | Platform | Discount | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaded | PC (Steam) | 23% off | £26.99 |
| Loaded (Deluxe) | PC (Steam) | 20% off | £39.99 |
| Fanatical | PC (Steam) | 14% off | $34.39 / £30.09 |
| Steam | PC | No discount | £34.99 |
For players who have been waiting for the right moment to commit to a Marathon pre-order, these current discounts represent the best available opportunity to secure the game at a reduced price before launch.
