Marathon’s latest update has drawn attention due to Bungie’s unusual decision to restrict the new Cryo Archive mode to weekends only. The extraction shooter has received praise from many players, yet certain design choices and how post-launch support has been handled have raised some concerns among the community.
One source of confusion has been the recently introduced Ranked mode with its unconventional structure. Bungie attempted to clarify its setup by disseminating detailed spreadsheets, and recent reports noted that Ranked, a crucial endgame feature, is only available over weekends. The assumption might be that other activities, such as Cryo Archive, remain open throughout the week. However, it turns out that Cryo Archive too will follow a weekend-only schedule. During the weekdays, players are limited to the basic Marathon experience, with dynamic and challenging endgame activities reserved for weekends.
Bungie has provided a concise explanation of the expectations for Cryo Archive. To gain access to this mode, players must meet several requirements. The necessary conditions include:
- Achieving at least level 25
- Unlocking all six factions
- Completing every liaison contract
- Equipping a loadout with a minimum value of 5,000 credits
Once these criteria are met, players can receive a one-time Sponsored Kit that is specifically calibrated to help navigate Cryo Archive and ensure that no valuable loot is lost during the initial playthrough. In this mode, players are challenged to traverse various vaults by solving intricate puzzles and surmounting different security tiers. Success not only offers access to potent rewards and unique golden gear but also hints at a more profound mystery, as Bungie has left an enigmatic message hinting at a path leading to hidden secrets within Marathon.
Moreover, once a session in Cryo Archive is concluded, a unique extraction task must be completed—one that differs from exiting the basic Marathon mode. The contracts available within this mode are specially designed and carry the promise of superior gear upon successful completion.
Bungie has confirmed that Cryo Archive represents the inaugural endgame area, and its weekend activation will run concurrently with Ranked until the daily reset on Tuesday, providing players with concentrated periods of intense gameplay.