Marvel's latest video game might not be the genre you'd expect, but they've sure picked the best developers for the job.
Marvel's Midnight Suns is the latest game by tactical gaming masters, Firaxis (XCOM, Civilisation), in collaboration with Marvel Games.
This upcoming tactical role-playing game, which features cards as a battle mechanic, explores comic book characters not seen before in modern games and allows everyone's favourite Avengers, X-Men and more to team up.
9News sat down exclusively with the Marvel Game's Head of Creative, Bill Rosemann, and the Creative Director at Firaxis, Jake Solomon, whose passion for this gaming project is undeniable.
"We wanted to have an excellent story that the modern player can really dig into. So that you can play this and say, man, that story in the game was just as good as some of my favourite comics!" Mr Rosemann said.
"It's what we've wanted to do since we were like twelve, so let's kill it."
Given the success of the current MCU and the Marvel franchise expectations for a new gaming title are high.
"If you're an MCU fan, you will see characters that you're familiar with, and then hopefully we will introduce you to this new group and make and make them your new favourite characters," Mr Rosemann told 9News.
All the fan favourites feature in some capacity; Iron Man, Captain America, Dr Strange, Captain Marvel - even vampire hunter Blade. They're all there to play.
But there's also a new character we'll get to meet.
"The Hunter, the ultimate outsider, has been asleep for centuries." Mr Rosemann told 9News.
"The Hunter wakes up, has to manoeuvre through this group in a modern world. And you as a hunter really have to go on your emotional journey, waking up learning how to be a modern hero grappling with this threat that's left by your own parents."
For the first time in a Marvel game you'll be able to customise and create your own superhero - ergo The Hunter.
While Midnight Suns has been developed by the creators of XCOM, Jake Solomon has told 9News they couldn't bring any assets from XCOM with them - building the game and its formula from the ground up.
"We couldn't carry over any of the mechanics we used," he told 9news.
"We've come up with entirely new mechanics for Midnight Suns, as opposed to anything we've done before. And yeah it's it's still tactical and it's still gonna' scratch that same itch, but at the same time, it's a very very different experience."
Midnight Suns feature a card-based gameplay mechanic which sees players activate cards to advance in battle. Each card has its own ability and you'll collect more cards for your characters as you progress.
"Obviously it's a big twist right, we have cards," Mr Rosemann said.
"It doesn't end up playing that differently from anything we've done before, but it plays into the theme of the game."
Mr Solomon tells 9News the cards are essential in making your character the most powerful hero on the battlefield.
Marvel Games and Firaxis have confirmed there are no loot boxes or microtransactions to get more cards in Midnight Suns, but there will be opportunities to purchase various cosmetic, non-gameplay altering items for your characters.
In the latest gameplay video released this week, we see badass X-Men member Wolverine take on his rival Sabretooth.
We got an in-depth look at the game's battle system, exploration and saw how you can interact with the other Marvel characters.
When you're not on the battlefield you're free to walk around The Abbey, which is essentially the base of the Midnight Suns. This headquarters was created exclusively for the game and the Marvel world.
"The Abbey is very different than combat. There's also grounds outside the Abbey for you to explore, it's a very special experience." said Mr Solomon.
In the Abbey you'll be able to develop your relationship with the other characters, improving your character's friendships will open the door to new battle abilities.
Newly discovered insects named after Marvel characters
Is Midnight Suns a standalone title, or can we expect to see expansions to the game post-launch? Mr Rosemann said it's highly likely.
"Down the road, sure! But I think just the base game itself is very deep and should fulfil any Marvel fantasy."
Marvel's Midnight Suns is coming to PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC and PC in March next year.
