Image: Firaxis Games
Marvel's Midnight Suns, developed by Firaxis Games and released in 2022, is a turn-based tactical RPG featuring iconic Marvel characters embroiled in a supernatural adventure. Players create their own superhero, The Hunter, and join forces with legendary Marvel characters to battle against the forces of darkness led by the villainous Lilith, the Mother of Demons. As a fan of both turn-based tactics and the Marvel universe, I'm excited to share my balanced, detailed, and personable review of Marvel's Midnight Suns.
Story (8/10) Marvel's Midnight Suns delivers an engaging and original story that brings together a diverse cast of Marvel characters, including fan favorites like Wolverine, Iron Man, and Doctor Strange, as well as lesser-known heroes such as Magik and Blade. The narrative takes a darker and more supernatural tone compared to traditional Marvel stories, dealing with themes of demonic possession, ancient prophecies, and the struggle between light and darkness.
The game's writing is sharp and faithful to the characters, with well-written dialogue and entertaining interactions between the heroes. The story moves at a brisk pace, with surprising twists and turns that keep players engaged throughout the campaign.
Gameplay (9/10) Marvel's Midnight Suns features a deep and strategic turn-based combat system that draws upon the unique abilities and powers of each character. Players can customize their team's lineup, choosing from a roster of Marvel heroes, each with their own distinctive skill set and playstyle. The game encourages experimentation with different team compositions and tactics to overcome various enemy encounters and challenges. In addition to combat, the game features a hub area called The Abbey, where players can interact with other characters, engage in side activities, and develop relationships with their fellow heroes. These relationships can unlock powerful combo abilities and provide additional narrative content, adding depth and replayability to the game.
Graphics and Sound (8/10) Marvel's Midnight Suns features impressive visuals, with detailed character models, vibrant special effects, and atmospheric environments that bring the supernatural world of the game to life. The game's art direction strikes a balance between comic book stylization and realism, creating a distinct visual identity.
The game's sound design is equally impressive, with a dramatic and dynamic soundtrack composed by Roland Rizzo that captures the supernatural tone and epic scale of the story. The voice acting, featuring an ensemble cast of talented performers, adds further depth and immersion to the game's narrative and characters.
Content and Replayability (8/10) Marvel's Midnight Suns offers a wealth of content, with a lengthy single-player campaign, a variety of side missions, and numerous unlockable abilities and upgrades for each character. The game's branching relationships and the ability to experiment with different team compositions add a layer of replayability, encouraging players to explore different narrative paths and gameplay strategies. While the game may not have extensive multiplayer content, its focus on deep tactical gameplay and engaging character interactions ensures that players will find plenty of enjoyment in their time spent with Marvel's Midnight Suns.
In conclusion Marvel's Midnight Suns is a thrilling and strategic turn-based tactical RPG that brings together a diverse cast of Marvel characters in a supernatural adventure. With its deep and engaging combat system, compelling story, and impressive audio-visual presentation, the game offers a captivating experience for fans of both the Marvel universe and tactical RPGs. While some players may encounter occasional performance issues or desire more multiplayer content, the game's focus on character-driven narrative and strategic gameplay ensures a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Overall Score: 8/10