The upcoming Marvel’s Midnight Suns was expected to be a tactical game of some sort. Firaxis Games, the developer, is well-known in the tactics RPG genre because to past bestsellers such as XCOM and Civilization. However, there was a lot of curiosity about where they planned to take the game. Was it just going to be a Marvel spin-off of the successful XCOM series, or was there a plan to take this prospective new brand in a whole different direction?
We finally got answers to at least some of those queries on Wednesday. Marvel has published a gameplay trailer for the upcoming game to offer fans an idea of what to expect in Midnight Suns. A lot of exciting gameplay was shown in the trailer, including chat trees, different characters, and, most intriguingly, a card system. While the film didn’t go into great detail about the features because it was only a trailer, the cards that appeared to symbolize the characters’ talents and capabilities stood out the most.
Tactical RPGs have traditionally gone in one of two paths. They can either go in the Civilization direction, which is essentially a turn-based RTS game. Another option is to go the XCOM or Fire Emblem approach, where characters are placed in such a way that tactical fighting benefits can be gained. These advantages have the potential to change the course of a combat and allow the player to inflict greater damage on their opponent. Midnight Suns, on the other hand, appears to be based on deck construction, which has both advantages and disadvantages.
Tactical role-playing games have historically followed one of two courses. They may either play Civilization, which is essentially a turn-based RTS game, or they can play Warcraft III. Another alternative is to take the XCOM or Fire Emblem strategy, which involves placing characters in such a way that tactical fighting gains can be acquired. These advantages have the potential to alter the outcome of a battle by allowing the player to deal more damage to their opponent. Midnight Suns, on the other hand, appears to be built around decks, which has both benefits and drawbacks.
However, there is one component of this clip that could help to fix a problem that many tactical RPGs, particularly the XCOM series, face. Cards could indicate that the XCOM accuracy system will not be included in this game. Anyone who has played XCOM knows how frustrating it can be. The setup is excellent, the adversary has been outmaneuvered, and all that’s left is for your AI to make a successful shot. Your character has a 99 percent probability of hitting, but suddenly misses. The opponent then turns around and fires a shot at you that is not only less likely to hit you, but also a critical hit, killing you instantly. Controller? Broken.
A reasonable reaction to the Midnight Suns would be to suggest that it should have just been Marvel XCOM, and it looks a lot like that. The rules change when these cards are used as powers. It’s no longer just about how you’ve set yourself up for an attack, but also about what deck you’ve brought in. Set yourself up for success, play the right card at the right time, and see your hard work pay off. There are no 99 percent misses. While cards may not be for everyone, they may appear to be more fair and rewarding than previous games’ percentages.
