This isn’t Marvel’s XCOM – Firaxis showcases Marvel’s Midnight Sun gameplay

If you were expecting XCOM with Marvel’s heroes, this isn’t it. Marvel’s Midnight Sun may be coming from Firaxis, but this tactical RPG will have a unique gameplay style and play nothing like the company’s famed alien invasion strategy titles. 

Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a tactical RPG set in the “dark side of the Marvel universe”, where heroes must combat supernatural foes and act as the world’s last line of defence against demonic incursions. Lilith, Mother of Demons, has been revived by Hydra, and players must lead the Midnight Suns to prevent an ancient prophecy from being fulfilled. 

XCOM-style combat wouldn’t work for Marvel’s Midnight Suns, as permadeath, missed shots, and unseen commanders are not well-suited to this superhero-themed adventure. In Midnight Suns, the game has a single story arc, and while players can affect how the story plays out, they will only have a limited impact on how the game’s story progresses. Missions will be replayable, and unlike XCOM, players won’t be able to lose their campaign against Lilith and her demonic forces. 

Combat will be faster-paced, and the game’s content between missions will be more story-focused. Players will become “The Hunter”, the leader of the Midnight Suns and the main protagonist of the game. Players will choose which heroes to bring with them on missions and which heroes they want to converse with inside Midnight Sun’s “The Abbey” hub area. Midnight Sun’s “The Abbey” location is similar to Mass Effect’s Normandy, as this is where players will select missions, converse with their allies, and upgrade their team of heroes. 12 Marvel heroes will be available to team up with while playing Midnight Suns.    

Below is Marvel’s Midnight Suns gameplay reveal trailer.