The previously rumored Midnight Suns was unveiled at Gamescom and, as was promised, Firaxis Games has finally revealed what it will look like in action when it comes out in March 2022. The developer not only showed off some gameplay, but delved into its systems and their intricacies.
IGN put up an exclusive gameplay overview, which is at the bottom of the article. And while players might think it will be like XCOM, given Firaxis’ pedigree, it only seems to life the strategic nature of that series. This tactical RPG uses cards for its battle system that “reward clever thinking with superhero flair.”
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Players go into fights with three heroes that all have unique abilities and is given a random selection of cards. All of these cards have different functions and can interact with battlefield. The trailer showed how some enemies can be pushed into walls for extra damage, placed near explosives, or just pushed off the play area. This is the most clear example of Firaxis’ history with the strategy genre. It is also up to players to find what characters work well together and how to exploit the map to come out on top.
As was hinted at in the trailer and the comics that inspired it, the story delves more into the darker side of Marvel lore. Hydra has revived Lilith, sorceress and mother of demons, and she’s hellbent on reviving Chthon, an evil Cthulhu-like god. The Avengers find her child, The Hunter, in a crypt and use magic to resurrect them. They are the only person known to have beaten Lilith before, making them an invaluable asset. This is the player’s fully customizable superhero avatar, which is a first for a Marvel game.
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The are obviously established superheroes, too. The trailer showed off some of the X-Men, Avengers, and Runaways, who all have their own special abilities in battle. Players can talk to them outside of battle in the hub area called the Abbey where there are daily activities and unique conversations that help build out the characters and their relationships. Making the right choices can lead to stronger abilities in battle and better perks in the Abbey. Firaxis claims that this hub has hours of gameplay where players can search around, go on special missions, learn more about the lore, and take care of the unusual pets around the premises.
There will also be iconic locations as well like the Avengers Tower, Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum, New York City, and Hydra installations as well as some hellish and desert-like environments. More will likely be revealed in the months to come.