Marvel’s Midnight Suns, developed by Firaxis Games, takes players into the darker, supernatural side of the Marvel universe, offering a blend of tactical RPG mechanics and superhero action. Known for their work on XCOM, Firaxis brings their expertise in strategy games to the world of superheroes, creating a fresh take on Marvel games. Released in December 2022, this game delivers deep tactical gameplay, a story steeped in Marvel lore, and an exciting combination of famous Marvel characters alongside a custom-made protagonist.
Story and Setting – The Rise of the Midnight Suns
In Marvel’s Midnight Suns, players are introduced to a world under threat from the demoness Lilith, the Mother of Demons, who is resurrected by the evil forces of Hydra. To counter this, a secret group of supernatural heroes, known as the Midnight Suns, is formed. This group consists of some of Marvel’s darkest and most mystical heroes, including Doctor Strange, Blade, Ghost Rider, and Nico Minoru. Together, they must stop Lilith from unleashing hell on Earth.
The player steps into the shoes of The Hunter, Lilith’s child and the first fully customizable original hero in the Marvel universe. The Hunter is resurrected by the Midnight Suns to lead the fight against their demonic enemy. Alongside iconic Marvel characters like Iron Man, Wolverine, and Captain Marvel, the Midnight Suns must prevent Lilith from summoning an ancient evil entity known as Chthon.
This game stands out with its mix of superhero action and supernatural themes, drawing inspiration from Marvel’s Midnight Sons comic series, adding layers of depth and darker narrative elements to the familiar Marvel universe.
Gameplay – Tactical Combat Meets Superpowers
At the heart of Marvel’s Midnight Suns is its tactical turn-based combat, which is heavily influenced by Firaxis’ previous work on the XCOM series. However, this game introduces unique mechanics, blending card-based strategy and superhero abilities, offering a fresh and innovative approach to tactical gameplay.
Turn-Based Combat with Card Mechanics
Unlike the grid-based movement found in XCOM, Marvel’s Midnight Suns uses a freeform movement system where characters can reposition themselves within a set radius. Each turn, players draw cards that represent abilities from their chosen heroes. These cards determine what actions they can perform, such as unleashing a powerful attack, casting a spell, or providing buffs and healing to teammates. The deck-building aspect adds a strategic layer to the combat, as players need to carefully select their cards before each battle to ensure they can maximize their heroes’ potential. Try and Teardown
- Heroism Points: Players earn Heroism Points by performing actions during combat. These points can then be spent on executing more powerful, ultimate abilities known as Heroic Moves, such as Iron Man’s Unibeam or Ghost Rider’s Penance Stare.
- Environmental Interactions: The game encourages players to use their surroundings creatively during combat. From hurling objects at enemies to knocking them into explosive barrels, the environment plays a significant role in gaining an edge during battles.
Customization and Strategy
The ability to customize The Hunter provides a unique feature in the Marvel universe. Players can choose from a variety of abilities, deciding whether to make The Hunter a melee brawler, a long-range caster, or a balanced fighter. This customization extends beyond combat, as players can also adjust the appearance, costume, and abilities of The Hunter.
The strategy goes beyond combat, too. Between missions, players can build relationships with their team at The Abbey, a central hub where the Midnight Suns gather. Here, players can engage in dialogue, train, and improve their bonds with their fellow heroes, unlocking new abilities and synergies for use in combat. This aspect of the game introduces social mechanics similar to games like Persona, giving players the chance to explore different character dynamics within the Marvel universe.
Heroes – An Epic Roster
Marvel’s Midnight Suns features a roster of 12 heroes from both the Avengers and the Midnight Suns teams. Iconic characters like Captain America, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man fight alongside darker, supernatural heroes such as Blade, Ghost Rider, and Nico Minoru. Each hero brings their unique set of skills and abilities, adding variety to the tactical combat.
Hero Abilities
Each character has a tailored set of abilities that reflect their personality and combat style. For example:
- Wolverine is a close-quarters fighter with healing abilities, ideal for tanking damage.
- Doctor Strange excels at magical attacks and support spells, making him a key utility character.
- Blade specializes in high-damage melee attacks and vampire-related abilities, making him deadly in close combat.
The Abbey – Social Hub and Exploration
Between missions, players return to The Abbey, an ancient and mystical headquarters where the Midnight Suns live and plan their next moves. The Abbey offers a rich narrative experience and acts as a hub for players to:
- Build relationships with other heroes, which in turn unlocks new combat abilities and improves teamwork in battle.
- Engage in activities like sparring, researching new technology, and upgrading hero abilities.
Building friendships and interacting with heroes outside of combat allows players to gain insight into their personalities, develop synergies, and enhance their overall battle performance.
Visuals and Presentation – Cinematic and Engaging
Marvel’s Midnight Suns presents stunning visuals that balance comic-book-style character designs with realistic settings. Each character is faithfully adapted from their comic-book counterparts, with recognizable costumes and detailed animations during combat sequences. The game’s use of cinematic action moves, especially during Heroic Moves, adds a dramatic flair to the tactical gameplay, making each encounter feel epic and intense.
The Abbey, filled with mystical relics, hidden passages, and dark corners, provides an atmospheric contrast to the vibrant combat arenas, creating an engaging visual dynamic between the peaceful hub and the dangerous missions.
Reception – A New Spin on Marvel Games
Critics have highlighted the game’s strategic depth, with its deck-building mechanics and dynamic combat offering hours of replayability. The relationship-building aspect at The Abbey also adds a personal touch, allowing players to connect with their favorite heroes on a deeper level.
Conclusion: A Unique Tactical Experience for Marvel Fans
Marvel’s Midnight Suns combines the excitement of superhero action with the deep strategy of tactical RPGs. With its innovative card-based combat, rich storyline, and engaging character interactions, the game offers a fresh take on the superhero genre. For fans of Marvel, XCOM, or strategy games in general, Marvel’s Midnight Suns delivers an experience that is both thrilling and deeply satisfying, standing as one of the most unique Marvel games to date.