XCOM developer’s Marvel game ‘Midnight Suns’ is official

XCOM developer Firaxis has announced its Marvel strategy game, Marvel’s Midnight Suns.

Players will be able to customise their own Marvel superhero – “the first customizable original hero in the Marvel Universe” – and fight alongside and ‘forge friendships’ with familiar Marvel heroes spanning The Avengers, X-Men, Runaways, and more.

“Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a new tactical RPG set in the darker side of the Marvel Universe, putting you face-to-face against demonic forces of the underworld as you team up with and live among the Midnight Suns, Earth’s last line of defense,” reads the game’s synopsis.

“Through a twisted marriage of magic and science, the nefarious force known as Hydra has revived Lilith, Mother of Demons, after centuries of slumber. Lilith will stop at nothing to complete an ancient prophecy and summon her evil master, Chthon.

“Pushed to the brink, the Avengers desperately look to fight fire with Hellfire by enlisting the help of the Midnight Suns – Nico Minoru, Blade, Magik, and Ghost Rider — young heroes with powers deeply rooted in the supernatural, formed to prevent the very prophecy Lilith aims to fulfill. Together, they resurrect an ancient warrior – the Hunter, Lilith’s forsaken child and the only hero known to have ever defeated her.”

The first Midnight Suns gameplay will be shown on Wednesday, September 1 and the game’s release is currently planned for March 2022 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

“We’re thrilled to team with Firaxis Games, who combine a history of building outstanding tactical games with an authentic love of Marvel’s supernatural side,” said Bill Rosemann, Vice President of Creative at Marvel Games.

“Marvel’s Midnight Suns offers players the chance to not only live alongside legendary heroes, but to also experience an all-new, original story that dives deep into the monstrous shadows of the Marvel Universe. Darkness Falls. Rise up!”

Firaxis’s creative director Jake Solomon added: “I grew up reading and loving Marvel comics. To be entrusted with these characters and their stories is an honor for me and the team. If you’re a Marvel fan, or an RPG fan, or a fan of tactics games, Marvel’s Midnight Suns will make these beloved characters come alive in a way you’ve never seen before.”

The existence of Firaxis’ Marvel project was first outed by multiple sources in June. A month earlier, 2K parent Take-Two said the XCOM studio would reveal “several exciting projects” this year.