Destiny 2 Sunsetting Controversy: Why Fans Just Turned Marathon Steam Reviews Into a Battlefield

Destiny 2 fans are currently spiraling after Bungie announced the long-running sci-fi MMO would be sunset with one final update in June 2026. As the community processes the end of the title, many disgruntled players have turned to Bungie’s new PvP extraction shooter, Marathon, to vent their frustrations. This has resulted in a concentrated effort where fans just turned Marathon Steam reviews into a digital protest, attempting to damage the reputation of the studio's latest project in direct response to the cancellation of their favorite franchise.

The Root of the Destiny 2 Sunsetting Controversy

The core of the current tension lies in a theory held by a segment of the Destiny 2 player base. These users believe that Sony, which owns Bungie, is forcing the studio to abandon Destiny 2 to ensure that Marathon has a clear path to success. The logic presented by these players suggests that the resources currently allocated to Marathon—a project that has faced a prolonged development cycle and a lukewarm reception—should have been redirected toward a new expansion or a full sequel for the Destiny series. In their view, the game they love is being sacrificed for a corporate pivot.

At In Game News, we have tracked these developments closely. While the sentiment is high among a vocal minority, the claim that Marathon is the direct cause of Destiny 2’s demise lacks factual evidence. The reality of the situation is that Destiny 2 has been facing internal challenges for quite some time. Cracks in the game's foundation were evident well before the launch of The Final Shape expansion in 2024. Since that release, the game has struggled with a series of missteps that ultimately led to the conclusion of its support cycle. You can read more about our analysis of these industry shifts in our Bungie coverage.

Marathon Steam Reviews and Community Backlash

The review-bombing campaign on Steam has been significant. Over the span of three days, Marathon received more than 250 negative reviews. This influx of criticism dropped the game's recent review rating from 86 percent positive to 77 percent. Many of these negative reviews are not critiques of the game's mechanics, but rather expressions of grief or anger regarding Destiny 2.

"Destiny Series is better," wrote one user who purchased and played the game specifically to leave a negative review before requesting a refund. Another user stated, "Destiny Died for this game to fail. There is only one person to blame." These reviews represent a growing trend where players use store pages as a platform for political or social protest against developers, even when the underlying theory—that one game is killing another—is largely unsupported by the facts of the industry.

The Counter-Movement of Marathon Supporters

The community surrounding Marathon has not remained silent. Following the surge of negative reviews, the game saw an influx of over 500 positive reviews. These players are attempting to stabilize the rating and highlight the actual merits of the extraction shooter. Some of these positive reviews come from former Destiny 2 players who have found common ground between the two titles.

One player noted, "I liked Destiny, overall. I’m not amazing at PvP games, just above average. I also like Hunt: Showdown, a low-TTK extraction PvP game with clunky controls, low mobility, and a high focus on audio as a resource to manage within gunfights. Marathon bridges the gap between the two really beautifully." This suggests that while the transition is difficult for many, there is a segment of the audience that appreciates the specific design choices Bungie has made for its new project.

Sustainability and Future Outlook

Despite the controversy, Bungie has reportedly received the greenlight to continue investing in Marathon for the foreseeable future. The developer has already planned several updates to bolster the experience, including a PvE-only mode arriving next season and various tweaks to gameplay mechanics throughout the first year. Whether these additions will be enough to turn the title into a sustainable live-service venture for Sony and Bungie remains an open question.

Comparing the two games provides context for their current standing. While both titles currently share similar daily peak concurrent player counts on Steam, their histories differ drastically. Destiny 2 reached a peak of over 300,000 concurrent players during its prime, whereas Marathon has yet to break the 100,000 mark. This disparity highlights the challenge Bungie faces in retaining the massive audience it cultivated with the Destiny franchise. For more on the state of the industry, see our industry news updates.

Comparison of Player Engagement

To better understand the current landscape, consider the following data points regarding player metrics on the PC platform:

• Destiny 2 Historical Peak: Over 300,000 concurrent players.
• Marathon Current Peak: Below 100,000 concurrent players.
• Recent Review Shift (Marathon): Dropped from 86% to 77% positive rating due to review bombing.
• Community Response: Over 500 positive reviews added in defense of Marathon post-announcement.

It is clear that the frustration stems from a deep emotional connection to a long-standing franchise. However, the technical and financial decisions regarding the sunsetting of Destiny 2 appear to be the result of years of internal development issues rather than the influence of a single new release. As we move into the latter half of 2026, the industry will be watching to see if Bungie can stabilize its reputation and successfully pivot its player base to new experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Destiny 2 fans review bombing Marathon on Steam?

Fans are review bombing Marathon because they incorrectly believe Bungie is sunsetting Destiny 2 to force resources and player interest toward the new extraction shooter.

Is Bungie sunsetting Destiny 2 for Marathon in 2026?

No, Bungie is not sunsetting Destiny 2 because of Marathon; the decision follows years of internal struggles and declining performance that predated the release of The Final Shape.

What is the reason for the Destiny 2 final update 2026?

Bungie announced the final update for Destiny 2 in June 2026 as the conclusion of the long-running sci-fi MMO, ending its support cycle after years of development.