The first end-game zone for Marathon, Cryo Archive, will open its doors to players on March 20, 2026. Cryo Archive features six wings that are full of cryopods, medical bays, storage areas, and seven high-security Vaults that offer top-of-the-line loot and unique weapons.
To even access the Cryo Archive, players must be level 25, have all factions unlocked, and have equipped a loadout worth at least 5,000 credits.
Players that take on the Cryo Arcchive will be able to earn special Codex rewards. Making progress through the Cryo Archive will unlock unique styles (skins) for all six Runner shells, the Vidmaster title, and more. The "Vidmaster" title should be familiar to OG Marathon players as well as Halo and Destiny fans.
Cryo Archive is the first deck of the UESC Marathon, where you'll find a labyrinth of cryopods, medical bays, and storage wings where colonists once eased into and out of deep sleep on their journey across the stars.
In game, Cryo Archive takes you through six interconnected wings with a central hub. Traverse from wing-to-hub and back again in search of frozen Vaults containing powerful loot and dark secrets. Battle your way through intense UESC security, decked out Runner crews, and a ship that seems hellbent on keeping you out.
Here's a few quick notes before you dive in:
In game, Cryo Archive takes you through six interconnected wings with a central hub. Traverse from wing-to-hub and back again in search of frozen Vaults containing powerful loot and dark secrets. Battle your way through intense UESC security, decked out Runner crews, and a ship that seems hellbent on keeping you out.
Here's a few quick notes before you dive in:
- Intensity: Cranked to the top. Cryo Archive is a pinnacle challenge and will take many runs to learn and master.
- Playstyle: Think raid-style puzzle solving and layered mechanics wrapped around brutal extraction stakes.
- Design: A labyrinthian layout where tight corridors give way to massive open spaces, pitting enemy crews against each other to unseal frozen Vaults.
Exfils in the Cryo Vault work differently than on the planet. Bungie did not say how they differ. Players will need to figure that out for themselves.
If this all sounds a lot like the Destiny raids, you probably aren't too far off.
This Cryo Archive was unlocked through an ARG that Bungie was running. I don't know the specifics of said ARG but I do know that players have been collectively working to unlock answers and find clues through in-game terminals and elsewhere online, with the final step tasking players with racking up 500 million kills against the UESC bots.
The Cryo Archive and its six wings is only the first door to be opened on the UESC Marathon. More will undoubtedly be opened further down the line.
This weekend will also see the first beta for ranked play in Marathon.
About Marathon
In Marathon, players scavenge the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV as a bio-cybernetic Runner while surviving against hostile security forces, rival Runners, and unpredictable environments to seek their fortune*. Marathon is available in Standard and Deluxe editions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam with full cross play and cross save.
In Marathon, players scavenge the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV as a bio-cybernetic Runner while surviving against hostile security forces, rival Runners, and unpredictable environments to seek their fortune*. Marathon is available in Standard and Deluxe editions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam with full cross play and cross save.
