Gaming

Marathon review: You will lose everything but queue again

Brutal runs, high-stakes firefights, and a loop that punishes you into coming back.

Published

April 22, 2026

Bernard Rivera

You don’t drop into Marathon expecting mercy. You drop in expecting silence—broken only by the scrape of boots on alien metal and the echo of your own breath inside a suit that feels one size too tight. Every run is a gamble. Every corridor feels like a question you aren’t ready to answer.

In Marathon, you’re not the hero. You’re a runner—hungry, ambitious, expendable. Extraction isn’t guaranteed. Survival is never promised. What you carry out is what you earn.

First taste? Yeah, it bites back

A quick disclaimer: Marathon is my first extraction shooter. I’ve spent plenty of time with first- and third-person hero shooters, so I’m not new to the “shooter with abilities” formula—but this is a different beast entirely.

My first few runs were brutal. Extraction shooters introduce a level of tension I wasn’t prepared for. Losing everything on death raises the stakes in a way few other genres do. Fighting UESC bots alone is already challenging—their AI is surprisingly aggressive and reactive—but once you factor in other players who will shoot you on sight, the experience quickly becomes overwhelming.

First run, first lesson: Nothing is yours

My first deployment was on Perimeter with two random teammates. We spawned near the Hauler, a massive land vehicle on the west side of the map. Not knowing what we were getting into, we went inside—only to find it packed with UESC bots.

Our team’s Destroyer, the tank of the group, went down first, though not without taking a few enemies with him. As the Triage—Marathon’s support/healer role—it fell on me to revive him. I managed to clear the remaining bots, but burned through all my ammo and consumables in the process.

My reboot ability, which allows for ranged revives, wasn’t ready yet, so I attempted a manual revive. That’s when a UESC ghost appeared out of nowhere and dropped me in two shots from behind.

With both of us down—reduced to loot bags—it was up to our Assassin, who had been lurking nearby. He popped a smoke screen, revived me first, and dropped a couple of patch kits. I immediately used my reboot ability on the Destroyer, grabbed a kit, and deployed my healing drone. Somehow, we stabilized.

We cleared the Hauler, looted better gear, and decided to extract early. But on the way to exfil, another team ambushed us. The fight wasn’t even close—we were wiped instantly.

Then came that dreaded screen: elimination, along with a breakdown of everything we’d just lost.

That moment defined Marathon for me.

The game doesn’t need to cheat—you’ll die anyway

The UESC bots are no joke. Some strafe and dodge gunfire, others rush you down with melee attacks, and some will snipe you from rooftops with lethal precision. There are grenadiers that bombard you relentlessly, shielded elites that soak damage, and ghosts that move quickly and unpredictably.

Each map also features a Warden boss—something you absolutely shouldn’t underestimate. I learned that the hard way.

Beyond bots, there are additional threats like Ticks, turrets, and drones. Environmental hazards are just as dangerous: toxin plants, explosive claymores, heat cascades, and frost rooms can all end a run if you’re careless.

Loud, neon, and unapologetically weird

As a fan of cyberpunk and utilitarian sci-fi, I love Marathon’s visual style. It won’t appeal to everyone, but it’s undeniably distinct.

Where many shooters lean into muted palettes and desolate landscapes, Marathon goes in the opposite direction—bold, high-contrast visuals with rich neon tones. It’s a risky choice, but it pays off. The aesthetic not only stands out but also reinforces the game’s tone and identity.

If you’re not listening, you’re already dead

The audio design is one of Marathon’s strongest elements. The soundtrack is filled with high-energy tracks that heighten tension, and subtle shifts in music often signal danger before you even see it.

Sound cues are everything here. Sprinting produces loud, unmistakable footsteps. Even walking can give you away if you’re not careful. Crouch-walking is quieter, but not silent—nearby players can still hear you.

Everything makes noise. Opening containers, interacting with objects, even doors—especially doors. The larger they are, the louder they sound. I’ve never paid this much attention to audio in a shooter before, and Marathon trains you to listen or die.

The guns? Yeah, they carry this game

Gunplay is easily the highlight of the experience.

At launch, Marathon features 28 weapons across eight categories, covering everything from close-quarters combat to long-range engagements. Standouts include the M77 Assault Rifle, V75 Scar, Bully SMG, V22 Volt Thrower, Demolition LMG, WSTR Combat Shotgun, Longshot sniper, Ares RG Railgun, and the V11 Punch pistol.

Weapons can be heavily customized with mods and attachments that don’t just tweak stats—they fundamentally change how guns behave. Putting a stack overflow mod chip on a WSTR Combat Shotgun suddenly gives you four bullets instead of two. Unique gold mods like the Overcharge Lens for the V22 Volt Thrower turn the SMG into Halo’s Needler.

The result is a system that rewards experimentation and mastery. PvP encounters feel incredibly satisfying once you get the hang of it—landing headshots, timing abilities, and outplaying opponents creates moments that keep you coming back.

Great style, messy menus

Visually, the UI aligns well with the game’s aesthetic. The UX, however, needs improvement.

Inventory management can be frustrating. Many items look nearly identical, and mods often differ only slightly in appearance. You’re forced to hover over items and read tooltips to distinguish them—something that feels at odds with the game’s fast-paced, high-risk nature.

In a game where every second matters, clarity is crucial. I’ve lost runs simply because I was stuck comparing item tooltips mid-loot.

Additionally, some font choices feel inconsistent and occasionally jarring, which further impacts readability.

It punishes you—and that’s the point

Marathon is not a game that welcomes you—it tests you. It punishes hesitation, rewards awareness, and demands that you learn quickly or lose everything.

As a first-time extraction shooter player, the experience was overwhelming at first, even frustrating. But beneath that harsh learning curve is something deeply compelling. The tension of every run, the satisfaction of a successful extraction, and the adrenaline of unpredictable encounters create a loop that’s hard to walk away from.

Its strengths are clear: tight, satisfying gunplay, exceptional audio design, and a bold visual identity that sets it apart from its peers. At the same time, it isn’t without flaws. The UI/UX friction, particularly around inventory management, can actively work against the player in critical moments.

But maybe that friction is part of what defines Marathon. It’s not just about surviving the map—it’s about managing risk, making fast decisions, and accepting that sometimes, you’ll lose it all anyway.

And yet, you queue up again.

Not because it’s forgiving—but because it isn’t.

Related Topics:Bungie Games Marathon PlayStation 5 PS5

Gaming

God of War Laufey puts Faye in the spotlight

Faye leads the adventure

Published

June 3, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Santa Monica Studio has officially revealed God of War Laufey. It’s the next mainline entry in the franchise and the first game to put Faye at the center of the story. The announcement came during PlayStation’s State of Play presentation and showed an unusually large look at the opening of the game.

The story begins after Faye’s funeral. She awakens in a mysterious realm called the Everywhen and quickly discovers that the plans she set in motion to protect Kratos and Atreus are now at risk. To save the people she loves, she must fight her way through an afterlife where gods from different mythologies compete for power.

Santa Monica Studio says the game builds on the foundations established by 2018’s God of War and the Norse saga while taking the series in a new direction. The team combines the speed and movement of the Greek-era games with the world-building and character-driven storytelling of the modern entries.

Exploring the afterlife of the gods

One of the game’s biggest mysteries centers on a question raised during God of War Ragnarök: what happens to gods when they die?

The answer is the Everywhen. Santa Monica Studio describes it as the birthplace and final destination of all magic. The realm exists beyond the worlds players have visited before and serves as a meeting point for gods, creatures, and mythologies from across existence.

The reveal trailer offered a first look at Sekhmet and Begtse, two powerful gods Faye encounters during her journey. Neither appears eager to welcome a newcomer into their domain.

Faye also finds allies along the way. Phranque, a cosmic cube voiced by Jack Quaid, joins her adventure alongside Rue, an enchanted ribbon guardian voiced by Perlina Lau. Together, they venture deeper into the Everywhen while uncovering its secrets and searching for a way home.

Faster combat built around Faye

Faye may not wield the Blades of Chaos, but Santa Monica Studio says she is every bit the warrior fans expect from a God of War protagonist. As the Golden Hand of the Jötnar, she fights with speed, mobility, and precision.

The studio redesigned combat around her strengths. Players can move seamlessly between ground and aerial attacks while maintaining momentum. Faye can dodge, reposition, and launch extended combos without slowing the pace of battle. The result looks noticeably faster than Kratos’ combat style while retaining the weight and impact that define the series.

Her abilities also draw heavily from Giant magic. Faye can strike enemies with enough force to separate their souls from their bodies. Once exposed, those souls become weapons. Players can attack them directly, launch them into other enemies, and create new combo opportunities.

The reveal also showcased a legendary sword that becomes Faye’s primary weapon in the Everywhen. Combined with her soul-based powers, it forms the core of a combat system that Santa Monica Studio says still has plenty of surprises left to reveal.

Deborah Ann Woll reprises her role as Faye after appearing in God of War Ragnarök. Santa Monica Studio has not announced a release date, but players can wishlist God of War Laufey now.

Gaming

Marvel’s Wolverine showcases brutal combat, confirms Jean Grey

Jean Grey joins Logan

Published

June 3, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Marvel’s Wolverine shows out in the latest PlayStation State of Play trailer. But beyond the brutal combat and motorcycle chases, the game’s latest trailer also confirms a major character reveal: Jean Grey.

Shown prominently throughout the new gameplay presentation, Jean Grey teams up with Logan against the Reavers, a cybernetic mercenary group hunting mutants. The trailer gives fans their first real look at her telekinetic powers in action and hints at a bigger role in Wolverine’s story.

Insomniac Games debuted the extended gameplay trailer during State of Play, offering a deeper look at its upcoming single-player action adventure. The game follows James “Logan” Howlett as he tracks down mutants captured by the Reavers, who plan to deliver them to industrialist Bolivar Trask. Jean Grey emerges as one of the captured mutants and a key ally in the fight against Trask’s forces.

Wolverine looks every bit as savage as fans hoped

The new footage highlights Wolverine’s fast-paced and violent combat system. Players can stalk enemies, launch ambush attacks, and unleash brutal claw combos against heavily armed Reavers.

Logan can also use special combat abilities called Techniques, including moves such as Tornado Spin and Bull Rush. Successful attacks build up Rage, which powers stronger abilities and activates Wolverine’s Healing Factor. Push Rage far enough and Logan enters Rage Tier 3. It’s a heightened combat state inspired by Marvel’s Black, White, and Blood comic series.

Jean Grey isn’t just along for the ride. The trailer shows her fighting alongside Logan with powerful telekinetic attacks that can set up devastating Critical Strikes and team-based finishers.

One of the trailer’s standout moments features Wolverine battling Reavers across a highway convoy. Logan races through traffic on a motorcycle. He slashes tires, jumps between vehicles, and takes on powerful enemies while speeding down the road.

Release date, editions, and pre-order bonuses

Marvel’s Wolverine launches exclusively on PlayStation 5 on September 15, 2026.

The standard edition costs US$69.99, while the Digital Deluxe Edition is priced at US$79.99. Pre-orders are available starting today.

Pre-order bonuses include:

Early unlock for the Classic Brown Suit
Early unlock for Reflective Claws
One additional Technique Point
Four PlayStation avatars featuring Logan, Jean Grey, Mystique, and Sabretooth

The Digital Deluxe Edition adds five exclusive suits, five exclusive claw designs, and three additional Technique Points. Insomniac notes that the suits and claws are cosmetic items.

The trailer also teases several future reveals, including additional enemy factions, more suits, and what appears to be a brief look at Sabretooth.

With Jean Grey now officially in the spotlight and Wolverine looking as brutal as ever, Insomniac’s long-awaited Marvel adaptation finally feels within striking distance.

Computex 2026

ASUS ROG XBOX Ally X20 debuts at COMPUTEX 2026

Powerful gaming handheld

Published

June 1, 2026

GadgetMatch

ASUS has announced the ROG XBOX Ally X20 bundle at COMPUTEX 2026, just in time to celebrate the gaming brand’s 20th anniversary.

Featuring a translucent black chassis with vibrant gold internal structure, the machine is both a throwback to gaming two decades ago and a vision of the future.

The translucence offers a peek under the hood to the high-performance cooling system and handheld silicon from AMD.

Premium hardware

The ROG XBOX Ally X20 brings a new Nebula HDR Display to the handheld for the first time, with a 7.4-inch OLED panel and Corning DXC glass and anti-reflective coating.

This slightly larger panel increases immersion and visibility. It has up to 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium of support, and 1,400 nits of peak brightness.

Furthermore, it has a VESA DisplayHDR 1000 rating, Dolby Vision, and 0.2ms response time.

Powering the portable device is the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor with ample gaming horsepower and the latest tools like Auto SR upscaling, as well as XBOX for seamless navigation and gaming.

It supports 24GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB of PCIe 4.0 storage to accommodate a large library of titles.

Better ergonomics, controls

Inspired by iconic XBOX controller designs, the ROG XBOX Ally X20 has a transforming D-Pad. It’s designed with the standard four-way movement, but can easily be converted to eight-way control for fighting games.

The improved face buttons have also been adjusted, now sitting flush against the chassis to enable smooth and uninterrupted thumb sliding. On the rear of the handgrips is a rubberized coating.

Speaking of controls, the next-gen handheld levels up with a new TMR joystick technology, delivering pinpoint precision, smoother tracking, and longer-lasting performance.

Bundled with ROG XREAL R1 Edition 20 Gaming AR Glasses

The bundle also features the ROG XREAL R1 Edition 20 Gaming AR Glasses, making the set an absolute collector’s must-have.

The AR glasses feature a 171-inch virtual screen at four meters, 240Hz display that covers 95% of the field of view, and a 0.01ms response time, thanks to micro-OLED. These glasses plug directly into the Ally via USB-C.