Summary
Two years ago, Firaxis surprised everyone with its addition to the Marvel universe,Marvel’s Midnight Suns. The game combined strategical card-based combat withXCOM-like gameplay for an experience unlike any Marvel game before it. Although it ended up being a commercial letdown, it was a critical success and is regarded by some as one of the best superhero games in years. Because of that, some ofMarvel’s Midnight Sunsbest concepts deserve to live on in some fashion.
Whileanother turn-based deck-building Marvel gamecould be fun, the true standout ofMarvel’s Midnight Sunswas its unexpected life sim mechanics. Throughout the adventure, players had to grow closer to different Marvel characters through a variety of social encounters. This not only helped break up the core gameplay, but it also made these characters far more than superpowered beings. And since it worked out extremely well here, another studio should really consider taking those life sim mechanics even further in a new type of Marvel video game.
A Marvel Life Sim Could Give Fans Something Truly Special
Marvel’s Midnight Suns Dabbled in the Life Sim Genre
InMarvel’s Midnight Suns, players took control of The Hunter, a fully customizable hero who was the sole offspring of Lilith. They werein charge of the Midnight Sunsand would call the shots from their base of operations, known as the Abbey. This Abbey served as the central hub of the game, with players spending a lot of time between missions there. They could train, upgrade cards, open decks, explore the grounds to collect all sorts of resources, and upgrade it with all sorts of new modules. And as they did this, they would also grow closer to all the Marvel superheroes in the process.
The entire game ran on a day-night cycle, with each day offering new conversation opportunities with the heroes. These conversations let them learn more about the characters while also increasing their bond. Additionally, heroes would grow closer to the player if they took them out on missions, participated in different nightly activities, trained with them, and gave them different gifts. As their bond grew, players would unlock new costumes, cards, and opportunities. This made it a vital part of the game’s progression, andbecause of Firaxis' writing, they are also a fan-favorite feature.
It is Time for a Studio to Fully Explore the Marvel Life Sim Concept
Marvel’s Midnight Sunsshowed that a life sim could workwithin the context of the Marvel universe, and now a studio just needs to take the concept to the next level. One of the best ways to do this may simply be taking what Firaxis did and expanding upon it with new heroes, deeper bonds, and more activities to engage with. Firaxis already seemed to strike the perfect balance between life sim and an exhilarating superhero adventure, so building upon that would likely result in another fun adventure. But, if another developer took the life sim elements even further and made a game fully set within that genre, it could be truly special.
While making a Marvel gamelikeThe SimsorAnimal Crossingmay be incredibly risky, it could also be really fun. Letting players build their own little home while interacting with some of the most iconic heroes around sounds like a great relaxing experience. Romance could be on the table as well, which is something that Midnight Suns skipped. Of course, there would have to be the occasional super villain shenanigans to stay in line with the theme of the Marvel universe, but they do not have to be world-ending likeMarvel’s Midnight Sunswas. Instead, they could simply result in tiny little challenges that need to be conquered, like many other life sim games before it.
A Marvel life sim game is likely not on the horizon, but based onMarvel’s Midnight Suns' reception, it really should be. As other superhero games go for the classic action-adventure genre, doing something like this would be a breath of fresh air in an increasingly crowded market. Even if such a game were a relatively short experience, if a developer knocked the concept out of the park, it would still be a nice treat for fans of the franchise.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
WHERE TO PLAY
UNLEASH THE DARKER SIDE OF MARVELWhen the demonic Lilith and her fearsome horde unite with the evil armies of Hydra, it’s time to unleash Marvel’s dark side. As The Hunter, your mission is to lead an unlikely team of seasoned Super Heroes and dangerous supernatural warriors to victory. Can legends such as Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Blade put aside their differences in the face of a growing apocalyptic threat? If you’re going to save the world, you’ll have to forge alliances and lead the team into battle as the legendary Midnight Suns.With an array of upgradeable characters and skills allowing you to build your own unique version of The Hunter, you will choose how to send Lilith’s army back to the underworld.
