Bungie has showcased significant visual improvements to its upcoming extraction shooter Marathon, set for release in March 2026. The changes, highlighted in a before-and-after video, feature warmer lighting and added depth, drawing mixed reactions from fans. While some praise the polish, others lament the loss of the game's distinctive art style.
Bungie's Marathon, an extraction shooter from the creators of Halo and Destiny, underwent a notable visual transformation since its 2025 alpha test. The studio recently re-revealed the game ahead of its March 2026 launch, accompanied by new gameplay footage in a video documentary that details progress following a delay. Leaks from closed beta tests have also circulated, prompting Bungie to release a sizzle reel on December 24, 2025, comparing earlier and updated visuals.
The most prominent update is in lighting, shifting to warmer tones with dramatic shadows, enhancing overall depth and detail. This evolution aligns with expectations for refinement from alpha to final product, where initial footage focused on core gameplay concepts that received negative feedback and subsequent tweaks.
Positive responses abound. Destiny streamer Protheon remarked, “Genuine question how did this change in only a few months this is gorgeous.” Fellow creator Skarrow9 added, “Yeah, that’s the stuff. Right into my veins please.” X user EndlessGL enthused, “Like, come on, dude. This shit looks so good. We STILL got people who thought the alpha was gonna be the final product, too. I can’t fucking wait.”
However, the original “Graphic Realism” style—evoking an early 2000s Nike ad infused with Ghost in the Shell aesthetics—featured hazy yet striking contrasts of hyper-saturated pinks, neon yellows against steely blues and latex blacks. Critics argue the warmer lighting dilutes this uniqueness, resembling a generic overhaul. One X user posted, “Went from kinda unique looking to ‘Focus M, Bowser’s castle is just up ahead,’” referencing a viral Super Mario Bros. parody, garnering over 54,000 likes. Another lamented, “They replaced the cool minimalist environment art and deliberate use of color with generic ue5 rtx shadows fucking whyyyyyyyy.”
During the delay, fans had requested a grittier, realistic look, which these changes may fulfill. Yet, the departure of senior art director Joseph Cross, who shaped the game's visual identity, raises questions. He told Kotaku earlier this month, “I’m super proud of the project and what the team accomplished over the last six years.” Despite online criticism, often from disinterested parties, the updates signal Bungie's commitment to delivering a polished experience.