The world of video games has played host to some amazing titles based on comic books and superheroes. While some of the most definitive include Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham series, the most innovative would have to be newcomer Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Developed by XCOM‘s Firaxis Games, the studio created a unique strategy title that has the heroes of the Marvel Universe taking on a supernatural threat known as Lilith. To do so, they must trust a savior known only as The Hunter to guide them to victory.
While the innovative combat is surely a big draw for many fans of both the strategy and action-adventure arenas, there’s much more to Marvel’s Midnight Suns than meets the eye. For example, players can slowly build relationships with other characters and use that XP to gather gear and moves for battles. There’s also a research component that offers even more goodies to players. With so much to do, when the story mode wraps up, there may be unfinished business for players yearning for more battles. Thankfully, Midnight Suns is equipped with a detailed and interesting version of New Game+.
Midnight Suns’ New Game+ Improves on the Feature’s Formula
Many games in the past decade have adopted a New Game+ mode to their repertoires. The mode is for players that have made considerable progress in a title but want to carry that progress over to a new game. Not only does this allow players to continue building out their character and abilities, but it also provides an opportunity to uncover new areas that were previously unavailable. This has worked well in action titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man and God of War. While the aforementioned was the basic standard for most New Game+ modes, Marvel’s Midnight Suns introduces similar progress prerequisites but also offers something a bit more worthwhile to players.
Out of the gate, players who start up New Game+ will be pleased to know that the heroes and costumes previously accumulated will be available. The friendship and champion levels nurtured throughout the game are also carried over. To get the most out of the mode, players will also have all villains and maps available. That said, gamers will have to work to earn certain attacks again and will also have to continue research, although completed research projects won’t need hero requirements.
How New Game+ Affects the Midnight Suns Experience
New Game+ is often used to add a more entertaining experience for players that no longer have a deeper interest in the outcome of the main story. For Marvel’s Midnight Suns, this concept holds true. Rather than a way to pick up the pieces of a past playthrough, this version of the model allows players to continue grinding with other heroes and pushes them to try new combinations and take risks in terms of moves and character loadouts. In a way, it’s like a pseudo-sequel to the story, as The Hunter’s adventures continue in terms of nurturing their relationships with more heroes. There are also some strange moments, such as a character not yet unlocked hanging out in The Abbey, waiting to talk. Considering that most players already experienced the story, it’s a strange addition that can easily be overlooked.
New Game+ is one of the highlights of Marvel’s Midnight Suns, and while DLC characters may seem like a strange addition following this model, as they will have to be built up, it still works well. With that in mind, New Game+ is an excellent way for players to break from the norm required by the story mode and grow new characters, potentially creating more combinations of devastating attacks and strategies. For players not used to the genre, it’s a great way to play in the sandbox and learn the fundamentals. However, for fans of the characters and seasoned veterans, it’s a way to explore the game and its limits in combat and strategy. In the end, New Game+ is more than a new mode — it’s an opportunity to explore even more material in the game.