Marvel's Midnight Suns Combat Uses a Card System, But Won't Have Loot Boxes [Update]

Update: Since unveiling the tactics card battle system in Marvel's Midnight Suns, some players have expressed concerns there could be loot boxes in the game.

However, the developers have confirmed that there are no loot boxes in Midnight Suns, or any microtransactions involved with the cards system. There will however be purely cosmetic skins that will be available for purchase, but these won't impact the balance of the game.

Hey folks, regarding our battle card system, there are no loot boxes in Marvel's @MidnightSuns or related microtransactions to get more cards (i.e. Gamma Coils). We will have purely cosmetic character skins for purchase that do not affect game balance in any way https://t.co/lHhdwbMpSZ

— Marvel's Midnight Suns (@midnightsuns) September 1, 2021

Midnight Suns creative director Jake Solomon also responded to concerns from players, telling IGN, "We knew we were swimming in the deep waters with this one." However, Solomon says the card system is "easily as tactical as XCOM," though he understands the confusion. There will apparently be more gameplay revealed next Tuesday.

We knew we were swimming in deep waters with this one. But it’s really fun, and easily as tactical as XCOM. I get the “?!” But next Tuesday we’ll show more.

— Jake Solomon (@SolomonJake) September 1, 2021

Original Story: Marvel’s Midnight Suns is the next big Marvel superhero game, but with a tactics twist. In a new gameplay reveal, developer Firaxis shared more on the card-based strategy combat system players will use to fight in the battle with Lilith.

Midnight Suns is being developed by the XCOM makers at Firaxis, the strategy combat system might not be a big surprise. But in addition to the turn-based combat, players will also be utilizing the environment, team composition, and a random assortment of ability cards.

As revealed in today’s gameplay walkthrough, combat in Midnight Suns involves picking three heroes and using a deck of random ability cards. Your abilities are tied to these cards, and because each “hand” is random at the start of a battle, you’ll have to think strategically to get results. These cards can also be upgraded as you progress through the game.

This isn't a card game like Hearthstone, but something similar to rogue-lites that use card abilities like Slay the Spire.

Players can use these ability cards in conjunction with the environment to deal massive damage to enemies as well. Blast your enemy at nearby gas tanks or even off the ledge to quickly clear the field of bad guys when you’re in a pinch.

You can also coordinate team attacks if you have the right heroes with you. Improving your relationship with these characters during Midnight Suns’ social segments will also improve your tag-team abilities.

As revealed during Gamescom ONL, Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a darker take on the Marvel universe with an emphasis on its more supernatural side. You’ll play as an original Marvel hero that you can fully customize and fight and live alongside famous Marvel heroes. While you’ll be able to socialize with them, you, unfortunately, can’t date anyone.

Check out the full gameplay walkthrough in the video above right here on IGN.

Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.