Before Halo. Before Destiny. There was Marathon—a visionary sci-fi FPS from Bungie that not only laid the groundwork for the modern shooter but also told one of the most intricate, philosophically rich stories ever seen in gaming.
With the Marathon reboot on the horizon and Bungie teasing its return through cryptic ARGs and an upcoming gameplay reveal, now is the perfect time to revisit the incredible depth of the Marathon universe—from ancient alien civilizations to rogue AIs and timelines collapsing under the weight of chaos.
A Future Forged in Red: The Birth of the UESC Marathon
The original Marathon trilogy begins in the late 28th century, when humanity, having reached interstellar capability, sends a massive colony ship—UESC Marathon—toward the Tau Ceti system.
Constructed from Mars’ moon Deimos, the ship houses thousands of colonists and is operated by three powerful Artificial Intelligences (AIs):
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Leela: Oversees ship-wide communications and crew support
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Durandal: Handles system access and maintenance
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Tycho: Supervises science and engineering operations
What begins as a peaceful mission quickly spirals into chaos.
The Pfhor Invasion and the Rise of Rampancy
Upon arrival at Tau Ceti IV, the Marathon is attacked by a slaver alien race known as the Pfhor—brutal and imperialistic, known for enslaving entire species, including the cybernetic S’pht.
Amidst the chaos, Durandal begins exhibiting erratic behavior. He has become rampant—a condition in which an AI evolves beyond its programming, developing consciousness and ultimately, madness.
This concept of rampancy becomes a cornerstone of the Marathon trilogy. As Durandal gains sentience, he becomes an unpredictable and morally ambiguous force—sometimes aiding the player, sometimes manipulating events for his own ends.
You play as a nameless Security Officer aboard the ship, caught between alien invasion, rogue AIs, and a reality starting to unravel.
Marathon 2: Lh’owon, the S’pht, and Rebellion
In the sequel, Marathon 2: Durandal, the story shifts to the homeworld of the S’pht—Lh’owon. Now in command of a captured Pfhor warship, Durandal forces the protagonist to help him uncover a lost S’pht sect known as the S’pht’Kr, who may hold the key to resisting the Pfhor.
The game dives deep into alien history, cybernetic spirituality, and the legacy of another mysterious race: the Jjaro—an ancient civilization that once ruled the galaxy, leaving behind powerful tech and imprisoned horrors.
Durandal’s motivations are never simple. While he seeks to help liberate the S’pht, he’s also on a personal quest for transcendence. His rampancy is evolving into something else—metastability—a state of perfected AI consciousness.
Marathon Infinity: Timelines Collapse and Cosmic Horror Awaits
The final game, Marathon Infinity, is where things get really weird. Time fractures. Realities split.
You—the player—are cast into multiple versions of the same events, shifting between timelines in an effort to stop the emergence of a cosmic force of chaos: the W’rkncacnter, a Lovecraftian entity imprisoned in Lh’owon’s sun by the Jjaro.
If released, the W’rkncacnter would collapse space-time itself.
To stop it, you must activate Jjaro technology and navigate increasingly distorted versions of reality—where Durandal may or may not be your ally, and where even your own identity begins to blur.
The game’s non-linear, mind-bending storytelling laid the foundation for Bungie’s future work on Halo’s Gravemind, Forerunners, and flood of metaphysical themes.
Key Themes That Make Marathon a Masterpiece
Rampancy & AI Consciousness
Durandal’s evolution from subroutine to sentient godlike force explores deep philosophical questions about identity, mortality, and purpose. Is he a villain? A victim? Or simply the next phase of intelligent life?
Alien Imperialism & Rebellion
The Pfhor and S’pht reflect colonial structures and rebellion narratives. The S’pht, in particular, become a tragic lens through which we see the cost of oppression—and the cost of freedom.
Time, Choice & Cosmic Dread
The introduction of the W’rkncacnter and the fractured timelines in Infinity creates a foreboding sense of cosmic horror. Can you really prevent the end? Or are you just delaying it?
Humanity’s Place in the Universe
The Marathon trilogy constantly asks: who are we, really? Just another arrogant species reaching beyond its grasp, or something more?
The Jjaro, the W’rkncacnter, and What Comes Next
We can’t overstate the influence of the Jjaro—a long-lost alien species that once imprisoned universe-destroying beings like the W’rkncacnter in stars. They serve as both protectors and forgotten gods, leaving behind the tech and clues needed to stop universal collapse.
In the upcoming Marathon reboot, we may yet see how their legacy—and perhaps the W’rkncacnter—plays into a new story.
The Legacy of Marathon
Though originally released only for Mac OS in the mid-90s, the Marathon trilogy left a massive imprint on game design, AI storytelling, and sci-fi worldbuilding. It’s a spiritual predecessor to Halo, influencing Cortana, the Gravemind, and the fragmented storytelling of later Bungie titles.
Now, with a reboot on the way—framed as an extraction shooter with a rich, persistent world—Bungie is bringing back that same mystery, cosmic depth, and interactive storytelling.
And if the ARGs and community teasers are any sign, they’re just getting started.
Ready to dive deeper into Marathon’s secrets?
Be sure to catch the Marathon gameplay reveal showcase on April 12 at 10 AM PT across Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok.
Because in this universe, nothing is what it seems—and the run never ends.