Marathon's new PvE experiment is Bungie's most genius decision yet, so make it a full mode already

I've already sunk a good few hours into Marathon's Season 2 update after the unfortunately disastrous server issues plaguing its launch subsided. And it's everything I could have hoped for. The new nighttime Dire Marsh is ridiculously cool, turning down the lights on the swamp so much that you can barely see five feet ahead of you without a torch or the handy new gadgets. Monsters and ghosts lurk in the shadows, and the toxic plants now whisper for some reason. It's all very spooky.

While I expected the new map, Sentinel character, and the new guns to be the main event (and they are great), I'm shocked that the most fun I've had so far has been the experimental Sponsored Survival mode. Reflecting on the three months since launch, Bungie has stated that it's exploring more "PVP, PVE, and PVP-lite experiences", and Sponsored Survival is the first step in this process—the proper PvE test comes later in Season 2. Like previous experimental queues, Sponsored Survival is only here for a limited time. Just a week, in fact, running from June 2 to June 9, which also coincides with the free play period, too. If you're on the fence, now's a good time to check the game out.

In this mode, only one team of players will initially infiltrate Night Marsh. You'll have plenty of time to explore the map and complete events with only the UESC bots to worry about. I would say it's more laidback, but the UESC are no joke and the atmosphere is terrifying.

That said, it's a great opportunity to run through some events that you've perhaps not played before, and get a feel for where the better loot is without worrying about making too much noise.

However, after a while alone in the dark, solo Rook players will begin to backfill into the match. Since crews are restricted to Sponsored Kits at the start of each match, and Rooks are naked, it's low-stakes. But they'll be after loot, and with you having a head start, chances are they'll be gunning for you. Plus, there's only one exit.

In my experience so far, I've only run into a handful of Rooks as we've raced to the final extract, and it's not always been a violent interaction.

As a result, it's basically a PvE mode but retaining the tension that comes with PvP. After the visceral reaction to Marathon being a PvP-focused extraction shooter, this experimental mode accommodates the PvE playstyle many have asked for without sacrificing anything that makes it unique in the first place. In fact, I think it should remain a permanent fixture and be expanded to the other maps once the test wraps up next week. I'll miss it when it's gone.

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Still, I'm curious how Marathon's full PvE mode, coming towards the end of Season 2, will pan out. With nighttime Dire Marsh, Outpost, and Cryo Archive, Bungie has demonstrated that it's capable of creating some excellent PvE activities within the confines of a PvP game. What will that be like without the threat of other players whatsoever? Better? Boring? I'm more than willing to go along with the scientific tests all the same.