{"id":1597204,"date":"2026-06-03T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/Y77vJUM5eH8h7SsAPWt99a"},"modified":"2026-06-03T16:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T16:00:00","slug":"marathons-new-pve-experiment-is-bungies-most-genius-decision-yet-so-make-it-a-full-mode-already","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/marathons-new-pve-experiment-is-bungies-most-genius-decision-yet-so-make-it-a-full-mode-already\/","title":{"rendered":"Marathon’s new PvE experiment is Bungie’s most genius decision yet, so make it a full mode already"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I’ve already sunk a good few hours into Marathon’s<\/a> Season 2 update after the unfortunately disastrous server issues plaguing its launch<\/a> subsided. And it’s everything I could have hoped for. The new nighttime Dire Marsh is ridiculously cool, turning down the lights on the swamp so much that you can barely see five feet ahead of you without a torch or the handy new gadgets. Monsters and ghosts lurk in the shadows, and the toxic plants now whisper for some reason. It’s all very spooky.<\/p>\n

While I expected the new map, Sentinel character, and the new guns to be the main event (and they are great), I’m shocked that the most fun I’ve had so far has been the experimental Sponsored Survival mode. Reflecting on the three months since launch, Bungie has stated<\/a> that it’s exploring more “PVP, PVE, and PVP-lite experiences”, and Sponsored Survival is the first step in this process\u2014the proper PvE test comes later in Season 2. Like previous experimental queues, Sponsored Survival is only here for a limited time. Just a week, in fact, running from June 2 to June 9, which also coincides with the free play period, too. If you’re on the fence, now’s a good time to check the game out.<\/p>\n