Bungies Marathon The reboot is finally here, and while most players are looking to jump straight into its brutal extraction shooter races, those enthralled by the game’s “graphical retro futurism” aesthetic may want to take a look at its impressive Collector’s Edition.
Ahead of the game’s release on March 5 (aka today), we were lucky enough to receive the complete physical Collector’s Edition. These are our complete, unfiltered thoughts on this item… which is larger than your average collector’s edition and goes above and beyond with its attention to detail.
I’m usually not a big fan of collector’s editions; They are usually overpriced just because an acceptable figure or figurine is included, and the other included items rarely make up for the high price. However, out of the box, my first impressions of the Marathon Collector’s Edition were “wow, this feels good.”
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The box itself is quite an event, thanks to the “premium hexagonal packaging“, which has layers (like an onion). Once you peel back the first layer, you get a “deeper” look at the Thief Runner Shell at the center of this issue. Each of these “skins” is filled with elegant visual touches and blurred text that look like they’re taken straight from the game’s story.
In the distant future of Marathon (which serves as a sequel of sorts to the original single-player sci-fi shooters), humans augmented with cybernetic bodies infiltrate the decaying remains of the lost colony Tau Ceti IV to acquire valuable technology while battling droid forces and other ruthless squads of players. It’s an alien world full of mystery, but when it comes to human presence, the art direction is a fusion of “retro cool” and modern technology, often evoking the look of 3D printed models. Edgy but clean aesthetics cover the Runners’ bodies and most of the gadgets and weapons, and this CE’s hexagonal case follows that style.
The “shells” are essentially the models/classes that players will have access to (with more to come). via free updates in the future), so it makes sense that the art-covered box would open like what us understand it as a shell, gradually revealing the layers of the Thief’s body and even its interior. It’s a wonderful aesthetic choice that means the box, and not just its contents, is a vital part of the collection.
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there is a lenticular poster which also acts as one of the aforementioned layers. It works so well as part of the package that I actually felt bad removing it to access the rest of the benefits. However, it looks great on its own.
At this point, the Six art postcards are revealed.and each of them gives us a good look at the Shells from the game’s launch day with high-resolution screenshots printed on cardboard. They are no different from those you will find in other premium editions. Perhaps more special are the “silkworm miniature” and iron-on embroidered patch It is ideal for giving an elegant shine to your bag or jacket.
The main event, of course, is the 1/6th Scale thief statue with LED lights. I don’t know exactly how heavy I expected it to be, but it was heavier than that. You could use this as a blunt weapon quickly, which is always a reassuring sign of quality in a collectible.
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A closer look at the figure’s painted details also reveals satisfactory quality control, with close-ups that stand up to scrutiny. Thief’s design is certainly amazing, and while I personally wish alternative CEs were also created with other Shells, this is one of those figures that doesn’t stock up. I just… have to find the space to show it off properly.
The biggest drawback I can think of is the lack of a wall adapter to power the statue’s LED lights. You get a 1 meter USB-A to USB-C cable that you can simply plug into your PC or whatever adapter/charger you have lying around, but without including one inside a $170/$229 (depending on whether you choose the game code or the no-code version), the collector’s edition seems a bit cheap.
Some might also criticize that the LED lights are too subtle, but I prefer this calmer approach to illuminating the statue’s swampy base (including the fallen corridor) rather than the neon-infused embellishment that cyberpunk fans might prefer. It’s a nice contrast when you look at the rest of the package, which is full of strong lime green tones, dazzling whites, and crisp art. You can simply turn it on and leave it on overnight to give any shelf or table a delicate and spooky look.
As someone who normally ignores collector’s editions, Marathon looks like a carefully designed and crafted edition that’s perfect for anyone interested in strong sci-fi settings and with enough free “credits” to spend on nerdy decorations. Obviously, it’s not for everyone, and most players will simply choose the regular version of the game. Still, this isn’t just a regular figure surrounded by cheap clutter, and even if an online pull-out shooter isn’t your thing, I’d be surprised if this CE didn’t catch your eye.
The Collector’s Edition will be available through the Bungie Store while supplies last. The version that includes the game code costs $229but there is also a no-code version available for $170 (if you already have the game). Digital rewards also include additional in-game cosmetic items.
Marathon launches today (March 5) on PC via Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
UberStrategist PR sent our writer a copy of the Marathon Collector’s Edition on behalf of Bungie.
