Marathon Cryo Archive Map Unlock Requirements Explained

Marathon is Bungie’s newly released extraction shooter. As players have spent more time learning its systems, a lot of attention has shifted toward Cryo Archive, the game’s upcoming endgame map that has been teased as a bigger, more dangerous zone.

Cryo Archive sounds like it could be one of the most interesting parts of Marathon so far. It is expected to be a high-level area with tougher encounters, more pressure on every run, and bigger rewards for players who can survive it. One of the most intriguing parts of the map is easily the new S'pht Compiler boss enemies that we've seen in some of the cinematics as well.

Now, Bungie has shared new details on what players will need before they can actually get inside.

Marathon Cryo Archive unlock requirements

Cryo Archive has now been added into Marathon, but players still cannot access it yet. The map remains locked while the community continues working through the ongoing ARG and unlock process tied to it.

Once access opens, players will need to meet three clear requirements before entering Cryo Archive. First, your Runner must be at Level 25. Second, you must have all six factions unlocked, which means finishing the required liaison contracts. Third, each run into Cryo Archive will require a loadout value of 5,000 credits.

That last part is important because it adds another layer of risk. Marathon is clearly positioning Cryo Archive as an endgame activity where players are expected to come prepared, progress through the core systems, and put real value on the line each time they enter.

Here are the current requirements to access Cryo Archive:

• Runner Level 25
• All six factions unlocked
• Liaison contracts completed
• Loadout value of 5,000 credits per run

Marathon Cryo Archive release date

Cryo Archive has already been added to the game with today’s update, which means the map itself is now in place. Right now, it looks like the new endgame zone could open sometime this week, but players still need to finish solving the ongoing ARG before the path fully unlocks.

What do you think about these Cryo Archive requirements? Do they feel fair for an endgame map, or do you think Marathon is asking for too much? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!