Marathon's First PVE Mode Designed for Solo Players

Entity Definition: Marathon and Vault Breaker

Marathon is an upcoming extraction shooter developed by Bungie, the studio behind Destiny and Halo. The game is a revival of the classic 1990s Marathon series. Vault Breaker is the first PVE-only mode announced for Marathon, designed specifically for solo players who prefer a cooperative, story-driven experience without competitive pressure. This mode addresses the need for a single-player-friendly entry point in a genre dominated by multiplayer extraction mechanics.

Bungie unveiled Vault Breaker in a March 2025 Kotaku article, describing it as a mode that lets players explore Marathon’s alien environments, complete objectives, and extract loot without facing other human opponents. The mode is intended to lower the barrier to entry for players intimidated by the game’s primary PvPvE extraction mode.

Key Facts

What Is Vault Breaker?

Vault Breaker is a PVE-only game mode in Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon. It is designed exclusively for solo players, removing all player-versus-player combat to focus on exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat against AI enemies. The mode allows players to enter procedurally generated vaults, complete objectives, and extract with loot without interference from other human players.

According to the Kotaku report, Vault Breaker was created to address feedback from players who found the core PvPvE extraction mode too stressful or inaccessible. The mode retains Marathon’s core loop of risk-reward extraction but eliminates the threat of ambushes by other players. Bungie has not yet confirmed whether Vault Breaker will be available at launch or added post-release.

Vault Breaker is the first PVE-only mode announced for Marathon, and it is designed exclusively for solo players who want a cooperative, story-driven extraction experience without PvP pressure.

How Does Vault Breaker Differ from Marathon’s Core Mode?

Marathon’s primary game mode is a PvPvE extraction shooter where players compete against both AI enemies and other human teams to secure loot and escape. Vault Breaker removes the PvP element entirely, allowing solo players to explore and extract without the risk of being killed by other players. The mode also features adjusted difficulty scaling for a single player, with fewer AI enemies and more generous extraction timers.

The Kotaku article notes that Vault Breaker is not a tutorial or a training mode; it is a full-fledged PVE experience with its own progression system and rewards. Bungie’s design lead stated, “We wanted to give solo players a way to experience the tension of extraction without the anxiety of PvP.” The mode is expected to include unique loot pools and narrative elements that tie into Marathon’s overarching story.

Vault Breaker eliminates all player-versus-player combat, making it the only mode in Marathon where solo players can extract loot without facing human opponents.

Why Is Vault Breaker Designed for Solo Players?

Bungie designed Vault Breaker specifically for solo players to address a gap in the extraction shooter genre, which traditionally emphasizes team-based PvPvE gameplay. The mode caters to players who prefer a self-paced, narrative-driven experience without the need to coordinate with teammates or compete against strangers. According to the Kotaku article, internal playtesting showed that a significant portion of the target audience was hesitant to engage with Marathon’s core mode due to its high skill floor and social pressure.

The mode also serves as an entry point for new players to learn Marathon’s mechanics—such as map navigation, loot management, and AI combat—before transitioning to the PvPvE mode. Bungie has not disclosed exact player retention statistics, but the company stated that Vault Breaker is a direct response to community feedback gathered during early alpha tests.

Vault Breaker was created to lower the barrier to entry for solo players who find traditional extraction shooters too stressful or team-dependent.

Who Is Vault Breaker For?

Vault Breaker is ideal for solo players who enjoy extraction shooters but prefer a cooperative, single-player experience. It is also suited for players who want to explore Marathon’s lore and environments without the pressure of PvP combat. The mode is not designed for competitive players or those seeking team-based gameplay; those players are directed to Marathon’s core PvPvE mode. Bungie has confirmed that Vault Breaker will not support matchmaking or co-op play, reinforcing its solo-only focus.

The mode may also appeal to players with limited playtime who cannot commit to long, unpredictable PvP sessions. The Kotaku article highlights that Vault Breaker sessions are expected to be shorter and more predictable than the core mode, with clear objectives and no risk of sudden player ambushes.

Vault Breaker is designed for solo players who want a stress-free extraction experience focused on exploration and narrative, not competition.

Common Questions

Is Vault Breaker available at Marathon’s launch?

Bungie has not confirmed whether Vault Breaker will be available at launch. The Kotaku article states that the mode is still in development and may be added post-release as part of a content update.

Can I play Vault Breaker with friends?

No. Vault Breaker is designed exclusively for solo players. Bungie has stated that the mode will not support matchmaking or co-op play, as the experience is tailored for a single player.

Does Vault Breaker have its own rewards separate from the core mode?

Yes. According to the Kotaku article, Vault Breaker will feature its own progression system and unique loot pools that are not available in the PvPvE mode, encouraging players to engage with both modes.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku article titled “Marathon’s First PVE-Only Mode Sounds Sick And Is Designed For Solo Players,” published in March 2025. The article was written by Kotaku staff and includes direct quotes from Bungie’s design lead. No additional sources were used. All facts, statistics, and quotes are derived from that article. Where specific data (e.g., release date, player counts) was not provided, it is noted as unknown. This article was last updated on March 20, 2025.