Marathon: Cryo Archive ARG Solved – New Content Unlocked

March 21, 2026 Rachel Kim – Technology Editor Technology

The fourth map in the game, Cryo Archive, became accessible in Marathon on Friday, March 20th, 2026, following a two-week Alternate Reality Game (ARG) event that unlocked the area for players, according to multiple sources.

Unlike previous maps in Marathon, Cryo Archive is not set on the planet Tau Ceti IV. Instead, it comprises the first floor of the UESC Marathon ship, a vessel that departed Mars in 2472 and arrived in the Tau Ceti solar system 300 years later before falling silent, as detailed by Bungie.

Access to Cryo Archive requires players to meet specific criteria: a level 25 character, completion of all six Faction Liaison contracts, and a loadout valued at a minimum of 5,000 Credits. The map is designed for three-player teams, either pre-formed or matched together, and is unavailable for solo play or with a Rook.

The map’s structure is described as labyrinthine, featuring tight corridors, looping rooms, and interconnected vents. It includes several key Points of Interest (POIs): Cargo, Index, Steerage, Control, Panopticon, Revival, Biostock, and Preservation. The environment is considered the most challenging in the game, with dangerous UESC forces and complex mechanics governing access to various sections of the archive.

Cryo Archive operates on a limited-time availability schedule, open from Friday at 10 AM PDT, 1 PM EDT, 5 PM GMT, or 6 PM CET to Monday at 10 AM PDT, 1 PM EDT, 5 PM GMT, or 6 PM CET. The map incorporates “Raid mechanics and systems” similar to those found in Destiny 2, requiring puzzle-solving and coordinated teamwork.

Bungie describes Cryo Archive as an endgame challenge, emphasizing its intensity and the need for multiple runs to master its intricacies. The area contains cryopods, medical bays, and storage wings where colonists once underwent cryosleep during their journey to Tau Ceti. Players navigate six interconnected wings, searching for Vaults containing valuable loot and uncovering “dark secrets.”

To obtain the best loot within Cryo Archive, players must acquire Security Clearance and complete Cryo contracts. The map’s Security Clearances are a core mechanic for unlocking different areas.