Marvel’s Midnight Sunsis still a ways off, but the newly announced game is proving to be a contentious title. Based on reactions from the reveal, its combat system is perhaps its most divisive aspect, as it eschews the brawler-style gameplay seen in games likeMarvel Ultimate AllianceandMarvel’s Spider-Manin favor of a more tactical, card-based system.
Naturally, this is a turn-off for some fans ofMarvel’s more action-oriented games, but folks shouldn’t be so quick to dismissMarvel’s Midnight Sunsjust because it’s different. The game seems to be taking cues from one of the best card battlers out there. There’s a comparison to be drawn betweenMidnight Sunsand roguelike deck-builderSlay The Spire,the latter of which might be a good litmus test for Marvel’s latest game.
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Combat in Marvel’s Midnight Suns Versus Slay The Spire
InSlay The Spire, players kick off each turn by drawing five cards at random, each of which possesses different offensive or defensive capabilities. Every card is also assigned an energy point value, and as players themselves start each turn with three energy points, the number and types of cards that can be played are dependent on how much energy a player has left.
InMarvel’s new game, there has yet to be an extensive breakdown ofMidnight Suns’combat, but the HUD shown off in early gameplay footage reveals the game may have a lot in common withSlay The Spire. Cards are used to attack or defend, and players are limited in what they can do each turn. However,Midnight Sunsis by no meansSlay The Spirewith a Marvel coat of paint.
Whereas how manycards one can play inSlay The Spireis dependent on one’s energy reserves,Midnight Sunsapparently splits that mechanic in two. One meter labeled “card plays” tells players how many cards can be played in a single turn. A separate gauge labeled “Heroism” appears to limit which cards players can utilize. It seems that certain cards with assigned point values - like one labeled “Stake” - draw from this energy reserve. Presumably, if Heroism hits zero, these cards are nigh-useless.
When comparing these two titles, it’s fair to say thatMidnight Sunslooks like a more elaborateSlay The Spire, but not solely due to its familiar elements. Similar design philosophies look to be at the heart of each game as well.
Shared DNA Between Marvel’s Midnight Suns and Slay The Spire
Circling back toSlay The Spire’sdeck-building gameplay, there’s a lot of thought that goes into deciding which cards to use and when. Using defense-based cards would likely be the right play if an enemy is about to deal out a devastating attack. Alternatively, stat-nerfing cards could temporarily lower an enemy’s attack power, reducing the damage one will receive. Sometimes the right cards just aren’t there; if one’s hand is filled with offense-oriented cards when an opponent is about to attack, then players will just have to make do with what they have. It’s dynamic, and so far the same can probably be said ofMidnight Suns.
Midnight Suns’dynamic card battlergameplay seems bolstered further by the game’s inclusion of mid-match movement. Footage shows players interacting with explosive barrels, positioning heroes alongside each other for tag-team attacks, and lining up enemies in rows to deal damage. InMidnight Suns,not only is it important to know which cards to play, but also where to play them, and that’s sure to add an extra layer of unpredictability.
Slay The Spiredoesn’t appear to be as mechanically complex asMidnight Suns’trailersmake the new Marvel game out to be, but playing the former could give players an idea of what to expect from the latter. If one enjoys the randomness and unpredictable nature ofSlay The Spire,and is hankering for a slightly deeper version,Midnight Sunsmight be right up their alley. If not, at least they’ll know to steer clear of the game when it launches.
Marvel’s Midnight Sunswill launch in March 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
