MARATHON is brutal, stylish, and not here to be your friend

MARATHON is brutal, stylish, and not here to be your friend

Author: SIFTER April 13, 2026 Duration: 33:40

Marathon, the new extraction shooter from Bungie, is harsh, competitive, and unforgiving from the jump. Intentionally so.

Hosted by Kyle Pauletto, with Gianni Di Giovani and Chris Button.

Read our full review here: Marathon is brutal, stylish, and not here to be your friend

Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings

A copy of Marathon on PC was provided to SIFTER for the purposes of this review.

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

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SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Adam Christou, Chris ButtonNaomi JacksonCat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.


Ever find yourself scrolling through endless video game reviews that all seem to say the same thing? Drop Rate takes a different path. Hosted by Chris Button, this podcast digs deeper than a simple score, offering thoughtful critique and honest analysis that challenges how you see your favourite hobby. It’s not just about whether a game is good or bad, but why it matters, how it fits into the broader landscape, and what it’s actually like to play. Each episode brings together sharp voices from games journalism, dissecting the latest releases across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The conversations here feel like the kind you’d have with a knowledgeable mate after a long session-nuanced, sometimes surprising, and always grounded in a genuine passion for the medium. For listeners tired of surface-level takes, this SIFTER production provides a space where games are treated with the serious, yet joyful, discussion they deserve. Tune in for a video game podcast that prioritises insight over hype, and leaves you with more to think about long after the credits roll.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 94

Drop Rate - Video game reviews that'll make you think
Podcast Episodes
Assassin's Creed Valhalla & Hades [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:52
Time to go a-viking in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla and *try* escape from the underworld in Hades
Fall Guys & The Last Campfire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:24
Helping lost souls in The Last Campfire and jumping rolling and striving for that crown in Fall Guys.
Ghost of Tsushima & Ooblets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
Spring stealthily from rooftops in Ghost of Tsushima, and make pals with heaps of cute dancing critters in Ooblets
The Last of Us Part II & No Straight Roads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:31
Dan experiences the emotional and dark story in The Last of Us Part II and Gianni uses the power of rock to take down "The Man" in No Straight Roads.
Minecraft Dungeons & Ring Fit Adventure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:48
Gianni defeats the Arch-Illager in Minecraft Dungeons, and Viv works her way through the reps in Ring Fit Adventure
XCOM: Chimera Squad & Gears Tactics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:56
Get a new top down perspective on the beloved Gears of War series in Gears Tactics & XCOM: Chimera Squad mixes up the tactical experience in a surprising new take.
Persona 5: Royal & Fallout 76: Wastelanders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:51
Put on your mask and fight for your freedom in Persona 5 Royal, and sometimes war actually does change in Fallout 76 Wastelanders.