This Underrated 2022 RPG That Is Persona Meets XCOM Is A Must-Play

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I’ve spent a lot of time looking for games similar to Persona, but it’s surprisingly difficult to find ones that capture the same magic. Many seem promising – blending everyday life simulation with turn-based battles – but they rarely live up to expectations. It’s frustrating, because this combination clearly has a lot of potential, and it feels like few developers are truly exploring it. The few games that do get it right are really special, and that’s what I want to talk about today.

It might sound surprising, but one of the best games similar to Persona is actually a Marvel game. Marvel’s Midnight Suns brilliantly combines the everyday life simulation aspects of Persona with the strategic, turn-based battles of XCOM. It’s a fantastic achievement in game design, storytelling, and adapting source material, and I wish more people would give it a chance. Despite being a must-play for Marvel fans and anyone looking for a *Personalike experience, it remains unfairly underrated and deserves more recognition.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns Is The Perfect Blend Of Persona And XCOM

It’s easy to miss, but Marvel’s Midnight Suns actually includes a strong social simulation element throughout the game. After completing action-filled missions, players return to the Abbey – the team’s headquarters – to build relationships with their teammates. This hub area lets you interact with unlocked characters and strengthen friendships through hangouts. Players familiar with the Persona series, especially from the third game onward, will recognize this type of gameplay.

Some people have criticized the way Marvel’s Midnight Suns focuses on character relationships, finding it a bit too unusual, even for comic books. The game features things like book clubs and personal conversations, which show a softer, more human side to heroes we usually see in action. Those familiar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe might find this different from the typical superhero experience. However, I think this focus on character interaction is the game’s strongest point. Despite being less action-packed than other Marvel games, Marvel’s Midnight Suns is actually one of the best Marvel games I’ve played.

If you’re not completely invested in hanging out with Marvel’s heroes – both well-known and more niche – the game offers a compelling card-based combat system. It builds on the tactical gameplay and meaningful choices Firaxis perfected in the XCOM series, but adds a unique card mechanic. This allows each character to play differently, reflecting their individual strengths and abilities from the comics. It’s a clever way to represent the heroes’ diverse powers, especially considering the game’s limitations – a real-time system just wouldn’t have worked as well.

The game boasts a fantastic story that clearly demonstrates the developer’s love for these characters and their comic book origins. Marvel’s Midnight Suns offers a fresh take on the typical superhero game, proving how diverse the genre can be. It’s disappointing, then, that despite all its strengths and originality, it’s become an overlooked gem – especially considering how much we need innovative games like this right now.

We Need More Games Like Marvel’s Midnight Suns

Superhero video games are in a bit of a strange place right now. Considering how popular superhero movies have become, you’d think these games would be just as successful, but they’ve consistently struggled. While the Marvel’s Spider-Man games have done incredibly well financially, and Marvel’s Wolverine is expected to follow suit, other games haven’t had the same luck. Marvel’s Midnight Suns, for example, didn’t sell well and seems destined to be a fantastic game that won’t get a sequel, despite deserving one.

Square Enix considered Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy a financial disappointment, and it’s no surprise that Marvel’s Avengers and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League also failed. Both of those games tried the “live service” model at a time when players weren’t interested in it. While more Marvel and DC games are coming, I worry that future titles will simply try to copy the success of Marvel’s Spider-Man, which stands out from the rest. That would be unfortunate, because Marvel’s Midnight Suns was unique and compelling precisely because it took a fresh approach to a well-known genre and story.

It’s hard to predict the future of this game genre, and whether it will thrive or fade away. Despite not being huge hits initially, I believe players do want more games similar to Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Not every game needs to be a big-budget, action-filled experience. In fact, some of the most memorable comic book issues from DC and Marvel focus on the more personal, human sides of their heroes. We should embrace unique takes on familiar characters and gameplay, but I worry that games like Marvel’s Midnight Suns being overlooked will lead to a lack of originality, similar to what we’ve seen with the Marvel and DC cinematic universes.

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2026-05-12 19:18