Marvel's Midnight Suns
Marvel's Midnight Suns | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Developer(s) | Firaxis Games |
Publisher(s) | 2K |
Director(s) | Jake Solomon |
Producer(s) | Garth DeAngelis
|
Designer(s) | Joe Weinhoffer |
Programmer(s) | Michael Springer |
Artist(s) |
|
Writer(s) |
|
Composer(s) |
|
Engine | Unreal Engine 4[1] |
Platform(s) | |
Release | December 2, 2022
|
Genre(s) | Tactical role-playing[2] |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Marvel's Midnight Suns is a 2022 tactical role-playing game developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K. The game features comic book characters from multiple Marvel Comics properties, such as Midnight Sons, Avengers, X-Men, and Runaways. Players are able to create their own superhero named "The Hunter" with a choice of over 40 different powers.
Midnight Suns released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on December 2, 2022. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were released on May 11, 2023. A Nintendo Switch version was also planned but later canceled. The game received generally positive reviews from critics, but was a commercial flop.[3][4]
Gameplay
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5f/Marvel_Midnight_Suns_gameplay_screenshot.jpg/220px-Marvel_Midnight_Suns_gameplay_screenshot.jpg)
Players take the role of "The Hunter", the sole offspring of Lilith, as they lead a selection of heroes in various missions to defeat her. The Hunter, a customizable superhero created specifically for Midnight Suns by Firaxis Games in collaboration with Marvel, can be played as either male or female.[5][6][7] Players are able to choose The Hunter's superpowers from over 30 different abilities.[8]
Combat is turn-based similar to Firaxis Games' XCOM series, mixed with deck-building similar to that found in Slay the Spire. Each hero, including the Hunter, has their own customizable deck of eight cards. At the start of each mission, players are allowed to choose three heroes to take into battle, with their decks combined into one that is to be drawn from each round.[9] The cards represent abilities that may affect either enemies or the player's own heroes.[9] Heroes may also move or interact with objects in addition to making attacks.
Between combat missions, players manage their upgradeable base of operations called "The Abbey" which they can walk around in a third-person view to explore the grounds and interact with other heroes.[5] Role-playing elements such as interaction with other characters influence the gameplay and those heroes' abilities.[5] The Abbey is also the main source for acquiring new cards for hero decks and upgrading them.
Playable characters
[edit]The base game includes 13 different heroes, including The Hunter, with four additional characters being released as DLC.[10]
- Blade (Michael Jai White)
- Captain America (Brian Bloom)
- Captain Marvel (Erica Lindbeck)
- DeadpoolDLC (Nolan North)
- Doctor Strange (Rick Pasqualone)
- Ghost Rider (Giancarlo Sabogal / Darin De Paul)
- Hulk (William Salyers / Fred Tatasciore)
- The Hunter (Elizabeth Grullon / Matthew Mercer)
- Iron Man (Josh Keaton)
- Magik (Laura Bailey)
- MorbiusDLC (Jake Green)
- Nico Minoru (Lyrica Okano)
- Scarlet Witch (Emily O'Brien)
- Spider-Man (Yuri Lowenthal)
- StormDLC (Mara Junot)
- VenomDLC (Jake Green / Darin De Paul)
- Wolverine (Steve Blum)
^DLC : Available as downloadable content
Synopsis
[edit]Hydra scientist Doctor Faustus (voiced by Time Winters) uses dark magic and science to resurrect Lilith (Jennifer Hale) in the hopes of using her to help Hydra conquer the world. Six months later, a star called the "Midnight Sun" approaches Earth, destabilizing magic and heralding the return of Lilith's master, Chthon (Darin De Paul).
Doctor Strange and Tony Stark attempt to get a page of the Darkhold called the Parchment of Power from Johnny Blaze (Graham McTavish), but he refuses. After being alerted to magic converging at the Sanctum Sanctorum, the two are joined by Carol Danvers in returning to aid Wanda Maximoff in fighting Lilith and a Hydra squad until Strange can create a mystic shield to repel them. Realizing the Avengers are outmatched, Strange leaves Maximoff to maintain the shield while he takes the others to the Abbey to recruit the Midnight Suns -- Nico Minoru, Magik, Blade, and Robbie Reyes -- and Lilith's estranged sister, the Caretaker (Vanessa Marshall), in resurrecting the Hunter, Lilith's child and killer. During the resurrection ritual, the Hunter's collar emits dark magic, forcing Minoru to complete the spell. Strange attempts to contact Maximoff for help in restoring the Hunter's memories, but learns she is in trouble. He, the Hunter, and Blade travel to the Sanctum, where they learn Lilith has enthralled Venom to help her destroy the shield and abduct Maximoff. Venom overpowers the Hunter until Spider-Man intervenes, allowing the heroes to retreat.
After learning the Midnight Sun's gamma energy is preventing Bruce Banner from transforming into the Hulk, the heroes recruit Spider-Man before capturing Faustus to learn Lilith's next objective. While Hydra operative Crossbones (Rick Wasserman) kills him before he can talk, they find Faustus' journal and learn Hydra is stealing artifacts from the Sanctum. Meanwhile, Sabretooth (Peter Lurie) is hired to kill the Hunter, but is mortally wounded by Wolverine and rescued by Lilith, who destroys Avengers Tower to steal a gamma accelerator and enthralls Banner. The Hunter, Minoru, and Magik use a divination spell to teleport to a Hydra base, where Banner uses the accelerator to empower a similarly enthralled Maximoff. Unable to reason with her, the heroes retreat.
While stopping an attack by Lilith's demons, they recruit Wolverine and fashion a new suit for the Hunter so they can bypass the Hydra base's mystic defenses, use the accelerator to destroy the Parchment, and free Maximoff. Blaze contacts Reyes and gives him the Parchment, but also attempts to give the Hunter to Mephisto (Jason Isaacs), trapping them in Limbo and preventing Lilith from reaching the Hunter. Nonetheless, Magik frees them so the heroes can enact their plan, banishing Sabretooth to Limbo along the way. Blaze sacrifices himself to destroy the Parchment via the accelerator, but Banner uses the device to transform into a smarter, demonic Hulk.
The heroes track Hydra and Lilith to her tomb, where Reyes tries to seal her and the Hulk in a cave before they can restore the Darkhold, but she unleashes demons around the world. After defeating Crossbones and his forces, the heroes steal a dagger imbued with Chthon's power while Maximoff and the Hunter subdue and free Banner. The heroes confront Lilith, who reveals her plot to destroy Chthon upon learning of his plans for her child and destroys the Hunter's collar, learning too late that it kept Chthon from possessing them. Nonetheless, the Hunter expels him while Lilith uses the dagger to destroy the Darkhold, restoring her human form. Realizing she and her child were corrupted by the grimoire, Lilith sends the heroes back to the Abbey while she, the Hunter, and Chthon's realm are consumed by the Darkhold. Nevertheless, the Caretaker believes that they are still alive.
Elsewhere, Doctor Doom (Graham McTavish) witnesses the events that transpired and takes the Darkhold for himself, deeming the other users "amateurs".
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
[edit]While investigating an art collection that a Hydra battalion led by Sin has stolen, the Hunter encounters Deadpool, who was hired by Doom to recover a magic statue called the Magna Corrigo in the collection. After Sin betrays Hydra, steals the Magna Corrigo, and unleashes a group of infected "vampyres", the Hunter offers Deadpool sanctuary at the Abbey to protect him from Doom over the heroes' protests. With the Magna Corrigo in their possession, the emboldened vampyres publicly attack innocents and establish nests across Manhattan. With Deadpool's help, the Midnight Suns eventually track Sin to Transia, where she intends to use the Magna Corrigo in a ritual to empower the vampyres until Deadpool destroys it. Sin escapes and reports back to her master Dracula (Stephen Stanton), who assures her the Magna Corrigo was not vital to his plans.
Redemption
[edit]Spider-Man and the Hunter locate Venom, who went underground and became infected from eating vampyres. Mephisto appears, offering to cure Venom in exchange for the heroes killing Dracula's forces, which Spider-Man agrees to. Upon being cured, Venom calls for a truce and joins the Midnight Suns. Seeking revenge for Dracula breaking a deal between them, Mephisto helps the Hunter, Venom, and Spider-Man find the vampyres' primary nest and Dracula himself. Working together, the trio destroy the nest and force Dracula to retreat.
The Hunger
[edit]As the vampyres convert Hydra troopers and attack New York, Spider-Man convinces Blade to help him recruit a mutual acquaintance of theirs, Dr. Michael Morbius. The heroes accompany Morbius to his lab, only to find the vampyres have stolen his research and a prototype "sunlight serum" capable of dampening his and the vampyres' lethal photosensitivity. After the trio fend off vampyres who came to kill Morbius and destroy his remaining equipment, Spider-Man offers Morbius sanctuary at the Abbey despite Blade and the Hunter's reluctance. Deducing the vampyres intend to mass-produce the sunlight serum, Spider-Man locates a Hydra facility under attack from vampyres led by Sin. He, Morbius, and the Hunter mobilize to stop them and recover the prototype serum, though they learn too late that she had already delivered several completed batches of sunlight serum to Dracula. Nonetheless, while fighting off Dracula and his empowered forces, the heroes discover the vampyres had diluted Morbius' sample while mass-producing it, weakening its effects. Defeated, Dracula escapes to the sewers.
Blood Storm
[edit]Magik and Wolverine are requested by their fellow X-Man, Storm, to assist her in finding Dahlia, a mutant orphan who has gone missing. After helping them defeat vampyres while investigating the orphanage where Dahlia last stayed, Storm joins the Midnight Suns and aids them in their quest while continuing her search. Eventually, they locate Dahlia in New York's sewers, where she lives alongside the Morlocks, mutants with monstrous appearances who were rejected by society and refused to join the X-Men. Though initially resentful of the X-Men, Dahlia later opens up to Storm and accepts her offer to help. Sometime later, Dahlia is kidnapped by Dracula, who wants to use her healing power to create a perfect vampyre race. Storm, the Hunter, and Blade confront and defeat Dracula and Sin, freeing Dahlia in the process. Afterwards, Dahlia accepts Storm's invitation to take refuge at Charles Xavier's school.
Tomb of Dracula
[edit]Following a lengthy investigation, Blade, Deadpool, Venom, Morbius, and Storm travel to Dracula's castle to kill him and end the vampyre threat. After successfully killing Dracula, the team escape the collapsing castle and return to the Abbey to celebrate. Meanwhile, a severely injured and disfigured Sin vows to find a new master.
Development
[edit]Rumors that Firaxis Games, the studio responsible for the Civilization and XCOM series of turn-based tactical strategy games, was developing a Marvel Universe-based game similar to XCOM emerged in early June 2021 ahead of E3 2021. Bloomberg's Jason Schreier confirmed that such a game was in development though was not sure when it was planned for the announcement.[11]
Midnight Suns was announced during Gamescom 2021 on 25 August.[12] It was given a scheduled release date of March 2022.[8] In January 2022, Michael Jai White announced that he will be voicing Blade.[13] In June 2022, alongside the reveal of Spider-Man as a playable character in the roster, it was announced that Yuri Lowenthal would be voicing Peter Parker in the game, reprising his role from the Marvel's Spider-Man games by Insomniac Games, and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (2019).[14] Nico Minoru is voiced by Lyrica Okano, who reprises her role from the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series Runaways.[15] According to the game's lead engineer Will Miller, the game has around "65,000 lines of voiced dialogue" and "over two hours of cinematics".[16]
The game includes a tribute to Luke Wiltshire, who had died from long-term complications from neuroblastoma in November 2021 at the age of 23. Wiltshire had been told earlier that all treatment options had run out and was transitioned to end-of-life care. As part of his last wishes, he said he wanted to play Midnight Suns. The charity Solving Kids' Cancer put out a request on LinkedIn, which was seen by executives at 2K. 2K, Firaxis, and Marvel worked to create a playable build of the first act of the game within 24 hours and brought it to Wiltshire to play before he died.[17]
Marketing and release
[edit]On September 1, 2021, a first game-play trailer was released showcasing the card system used in combat.[9] Midnight Suns is directed by Jake Solomon.[5] In November 2021, it was announced that the game had been delayed until the second half of 2022. The game was reintroduced during Summer Game Fest in June 2022 with new footage, additionally confirming the October 7, 2022 launch date for all platforms excluding Nintendo Switch,[18] and revealing the additions of Venom, Hulk, Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange and Spider-Man to the roster of characters.[19] On August 8, 2022, the game was further delayed to the following year, with the PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions slated to launch during Take-Two Interactive's next fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, while the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were left undated.[20] On September 10, 2022, it was announced that the PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game would launch on December 2, 2022.[21] On May 2, 2023, it was announced that the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions would release on May 11, 2023. The Nintendo Switch version was canceled.[22][23]
Reception
[edit]![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2022) |
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | PC: 83/100[24] PS5: 81/100[25] XSXS: 81/100[26] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Destructoid | 7.5/10[27] |
Digital Trends | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Eurogamer | Recommended[29] |
GameSpot | 8/10[30] |
GamesRadar+ | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
IGN | 8/10[32] |
PC Gamer (US) | 88/100[33] |
PCGamesN | 9/10[34] |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Video Games Chronicle | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
VG247 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Marvel's Midnight Suns received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[24]
Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two Interactive's CEO, said that despite the game being a critical success, it was a commercial flop. Zelnick thinks "it's possible the release window wasn't perfect" and that it could have a long tail (like other Firaxis games).[38][39]
An application launcher in the PC version was described as a major cause for stuttering and general performance issues in the game.[40][41]
During the 26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Marvel's Midnight Suns for "Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year".[42]
References
[edit]- ^ "Awesome Unreal Engine-powered games of 2022". Unreal Engine. 2022-01-06. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
- ^ McMullen, Chris (7 December 2022). "What Type of Game Is Marvel's Midnight Suns?". The Escapist. Gamurs Group. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ "Take-Two says 'imperfect release window' may have contributed to slow Marvel's Midnight Suns sales". VGC. 2023-02-06. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ^ Square, Push (2023-02-06). "Social Strategy Marvel's Midnight Suns Was a Critical Darling But Commercial Flop". Push Square. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ^ a b c d Tapsell, Chris (2021-08-25). "Firaxis reveals Marvel's Midnight Suns, a "tactical RPG" that's less XCOM than you might think". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
- ^ Wilde, Tyler (25 August 2021). "Here are the Marvel heroes who'll be in Midnight Suns". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
...a new customizable hero named The Hunter. She appears as a woman in the trailer, but can also be given a male identity...
- ^ Nunneley, Stephen (25 August 2021). "Marvel's Midnight Suns from Firaxis is out next year". VG247. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ a b Hall, Charlie (2021-08-25). "Marvel's Midnight Suns is the next game from the XCOM team". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
- ^ a b c Kim, Matt (1 September 2021). "Marvel's Midnight Suns Combat Uses a Card System". IGN. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ Wilde, Tyler (25 August 2021). "Here are the Marvel heroes who'll be in Midnight Suns". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ Schreier, Jason [@jasonschreier] (4 June 2021). "Yes this 2K leak is real but I'm not sure all of it is going to be at E3. Can't wait for Marvel XCOM though" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 August 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Bailey, Kat (25 August 2021). "Marvel's Midnight Suns, Firaxis' Marvel XCOM Game, Officially Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on 31 July 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- ^ Bishop, Rollin (1 October 2022). "Marvel's Midnight Suns: Michael Jai White to Voice Blade". comicbook.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ Middler, Jordan (2022-06-09). "PlayStation's Spider-Man actor reprises his role in Marvel's Midnight Suns". VGC. Archived from the original on 2022-06-09. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ Greenbaum, Aaron (9 June 2022). "Marvel's Midnight Suns Cast: Every Hero and Villain Confirmed So Far". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ McGregor, Jody (November 27, 2022). "Midnight Suns has 'something like 65,000 lines of voiced dialogue'". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ Dring, Christopher (December 1, 2022). "Luke was here: A remarkable moment of kindness during the making of Marvel's Midnight Suns". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "Marvel's Midnight Suns gets a new trailer, coming to Switch after Oct. 2022". 9 June 2022.
- ^ Purslow, Matt (2022-06-09). "Marvel's Midnight Suns Trailer Reveals Spider-Man and Release Date". IGN. Archived from the original on 2022-06-09. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ Valentine, Rebekah (2022-08-08). "Marvel's Midnight Suns Delayed Once Again, Possibly to 2023". IGN. Archived from the original on 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
- ^ Villei, Matt (2022-09-10). "'Marvel's Midnight Suns' Gets New Early December Release Date". Collider. Archived from the original on 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
- ^ "Marvel's Midnight Suns for PS4 and Xbox One launches May 11 alongside DLC 'Blood Storm'; Switch version canceled". 2 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ "Marvel's Midnight Suns cancelled on Switch". 2 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Marvel's Midnight Suns for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ "Marvel's Midnight Suns for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2023-02-13. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
- ^ "Marvel's Midnight Suns for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2023-02-13. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
- ^ Carter, Chris (2022-11-30). "Review: Marvel's Midnight Suns". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Franzese, Tomas (2022-11-30). "Marvel's Midnight Suns review: superhero RPG goes the extra mile". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on 2022-12-01. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Donlan, Christian (2022-11-30). "Marvel's Midnight Suns review - crush evil, DM the Avengers, and find that perfect bedside table". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Ramée, Jordan (2022-11-30). "Marvel's Midnight Suns Review - XCOM Superhero Squad". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Bailes, Jon (2022-11-30). "Marvel's Midnight Suns review: "A superhero game that encourages you to stop and smell the flowers"". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Stapleton, Dan (2022-11-30). "Marvel's Midnight Suns Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Peel, Jeremy (2022-11-30). "Marvel's Midnight Suns review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 2022-12-01. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Willetts, Samuel (2022-11-30). "Marvel's Midnight Suns review – more RPG game, less XCOM". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Stuart, Keith (2022-11-30). "Marvel's Midnight Suns review – superheroes, strategy and Gen Z banter". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2022-12-01. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Middler, Jordan (2022-11-30). "Review: Marvel's Midnight Suns is the year's biggest surprise". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Trinca, Jim (2022-11-30). "Marvel's Midnight Suns review: Firaxis assembles its most joyful game to date". VG247. Archived from the original on 2022-12-01. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ "Take-Two says 'imperfect release window' may have contributed to slow Marvel's Midnight Suns sales". VGC. 2023-02-06. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ^ Square, Push (2023-02-06). "Social Strategy Marvel's Midnight Suns Was a Critical Darling But Commercial Flop". Push Square. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ^ Archer, James (13 December 2022). "No, seriously, you should disable the 2K Launcher for Marvel's Midnight Suns". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
- ^ Wolens, Joshua (14 December 2022). "2K's launcher seems to negatively impact Midnight Suns' performance, but you can turn it off". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
- ^ "2023 Awards Category Details Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 4, 2023.