Marathon Guide | All The Different Gamemodes

Here’s a guide on all the different game modes you can play in Marathon.

Game Guide by TauxicPandA on Mar 07, 2026

You have three different ways to play when you jump in on day one. The primary experience is Core Extraction. In this mode, you land on a map with two teammates.

You go up against five other squads, which means as many as 18 players can be on the larger maps at once. You have a 25-minute window to grab loot, finish Contracts, and fight AI or other people.

Your goal is to reach an exit. If you stay too long, the usual spots close and one Final Xfill appears. This forces every surviving group into the same place, which turns into a fight for survival in Marathon.

Marathon, Guide, All The Different Gamemodes

Team Sizes and Solo Play

You can enter these matches by yourself or with one friend. There is no specific playlist for two-person teams at the start, so you might go against full groups of three.

If you want a more even playing field in Marathon, you can try Solo Mode. This puts you in a lobby where every person is playing alone. The rules stay the same, but the players you face change. It is a good choice if you want to learn how to play without worrying about coordinated teams.

Marathon, Guide, All The Different Gamemodes

Competition and Future Modes

Ranked play is not available when the game first launches. It will show up a few weeks after Season 1 begins. This is a competitive ladder that tracks how many times you get out alive and your total kills.

Also, check our Marathon Review and other guides below