E3 07: Marathon: Durandal Fact Sheet @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on July 11, 2007

News: Bungie's first effort comes to the Xbox Live Arcade.

It's been rumored about forever, but today, Microsoft confirmed that an Xbox Live Arcade remake of the original Marathon will be appearing on the service this summer.

But what is Marathon? Well, it's the game that first propelled Bungie (you know, the guys who made Halo) into the spotlight. Here are all the important details, straight from Microsoft:

About Marathon: Durandal
Marathon is the game that presaged the Halo revolution. Bungie Studios' very first FPS series, Marathon achieved cult status for its many genre innovations, deep roots in Bungie culture, and its hints of the Halo greatness to come. Chosen for their passionate following and knowledge of the original game, Freeverse was chosen to bring Marathon: Durandal exclusively to the Xbox 360.

Features
Exclusively for Xbox Live Arcade, Marathon: Durandal is a compelling first-person shooter (FPS) cult classic that continues the tradition of great gameplay while remaining faithful to the spirit of Bungie lore as the predecessor to the Halo franchise.

Multiplayer gameplay for up to eight players over Xbox Live

Offline multiplayer gameplay for up to four players on the same console via split-screen mode

Every image recreated to offer a widescreen, High Definition (HD) experience

New networking model that provides for reduced lag in online games

Features 27 single player levels, 13 multiplayer levels, & one survival mode

Utilizes the familiar Halo control scheme.

How much does Marathon: Durandal cost?
Marathon will be available on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 Microsoft Points.

What is Marathon: Durandal rated?
Marathon is rated M (Mature 17+) by the ESRB.

When is Marathon: Durandal available?
Marathon is expected to release worldwide this summer.