Marathon

I really like Sentinel and their abilities. I usually play solo, and the new PvE mode really benefits from Sentinel's playstyle, as you can deploy Snare Mines to trap rooms that you're currently looting, so you won't be surprised when an enemy tries to sneak in. While Sentinel can be easily countered by Signal Jammers, this Shell ensures that you will have an edge. The Prey Tracker has helped me stay aware of how many enemies are just ahead of me, so I know when to engage, and the Defender System has been a huge help in managing gunfights to counter grenades. Looking for more Marathon guides?

The Cradle is a new upgrade system that becomes a permanent addition to your Shells and their enhancements and is not seasonally reset like your Vault and Faction Rank. The Cradle is essentially how you can upgrade your Shells and provide them with bonus stats and passive perks. You can refund the energy you put into the Cradle at any time, and the nodes you invest in are invested universally to other Shells.

June 2, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

No, at least not yet. It still normally costs $40, but it will be free for the first week of season 2. That runs June 2 through June 9. Players across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC can hop in and experience the full game at no cost, with all progress carrying over for anyone who decides to eventually buy it. As a reminder though, anyone on console will still need a paid subscription (PS Plus or Game Pass Core) in order to play Marathon even when it’s free since it’s an online multiplayer game.