Announced on October 16, Marvel Mystic Mayhem is already the subject of speculation. Unlike many other Marvel games, Marvel Mystic Mayhem places heavy emphasis on spellcasters and the supernatural. However, a previous tactical role-playing game under the Marvel umbrella attempted to focus on spellcasters as well.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns sees players battle Lilith, the Mother of Demons. Lilith was transformed into her demonic form after making a deal with Chthon, the creator of the Darkhold. Though Lilith does not seek to take over the world, her resurrectors, Hydra, does. This plot is similar to Mystic Mayhem’s, which features Nightmare, a villain who wants to transform Earth into a horrific version of the Dream Dimension. However, Midnight Suns left a lot of Marvel's supernatural characters out of the picture.
Marvel Mystic Mayhem Looks like the Spiritual Successor to Midnight Suns
Marvel has had a variety of hit mobile games under its belt, but the franchise's newly announced title could be a pseudo-sequel to Midnight Suns.
Both Mystic Mayhem and Midnight Suns Need Spellcasters and the Supernatural
Both games tell stories that require powerful spellcasters and heroes well versed with the supernatural in order to defeat mystical threats to the Marvel universe. Midnight Suns had both Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch as playable characters on its roster, a wise move considering Lilith’s ties to the Darkhold. Mystic Mayhem also features both characters prominently.
While both games have spellcasters and non-supernatural heroes on their rosters, Midnight Suns’ list of playable characters was severely lacking in the witchcraft department. Magik and Nico Minoru (Sister Grimm) act as the only other spellcasters in the game, with Blade and Ghost Rider acting as the only playable characters tied to the supernatural in the base game. Morbius is available in Midnight Suns’ DLC, but this roster is still missing quite a few important characters.
Moon Knight is one of the most notable absences from Midnight Suns. Mystic Mayhem has already rectified this mistake, including the character on its roster alongside Sleepwalker. Despite Mystic Mayhem including more niche characters in its roster, knowledgeable fans will notice that heroes like Armor and Psylocke are mutants rather than spellcasters, and Doppelganger, Man-Thing, and Mister Negative are products of experimentation, rather than mystical means.
Characters that Mystic Mayhem Should Add to Its Roster
This leaves Mystic Mayhem behind Midnight Suns in terms of mystical playable characters. While this roster will likely expand as more information about the mobile team-based tactical role-playing game is released, NetEase and Marvel should consider these heroes when considering new additions. Of course, NetEase and Marvel could take inspiration directly from Midnight Suns by adding Magik and Nico Minoru to Mystic Mayhem. However, looking at a critically acclaimed additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe could be the perfect starting point.
As the first entry into Marvel Studios Special Presentation’s catalog, Werewolf by Night is more artistic in comparison to other MCU entries. The 2022 television special’s black and white cinematography doesn’t impede on its narrative or the new lore added to the MCU, but adds to its eerie atmosphere. This well-received MCU special means Werewolf by Night would be both a timely and appropriate character for Mystic Mayhem.
By including Jack Russell, Werewolf by Night’s titular werewolf, as well as Elsa Bloodstone in Mystic Mayhem, the game unlocks more possibilities for a horrific atmosphere. Both Jack Russell and Elsa Bloodstone are monster hunters, making them the perfect allies in hunting down nightmares. This would also compare to Midnight Suns’ roster, as vampire hunter Blade is a playable character in the game. Elsa Bloodstone has been featured in Marvel video games previously, such as Marvel Snap and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order.
Spoilers ahead for the Marvel TV series Agatha All Along.
Mystic Mayhem Would Benefit From Agatha All Along's Characters
Furthermore, NetEase and Marvel could make a fairly predictable move and capitalize on the success of Agatha All Along. The latest entry into the MCU’s run of TV series, Agatha All Along once again shows off the powerful Agatha Harkness but also introduces Billy Kaplan, known by Young Avengers fans as Wiccan, son of Wanda Maximoff.
Considering that Mystic Mayhem is drawing inspiration from comics more than the MCU, the game could feature a playable Agatha Harkness with a design focused on her original appearance. Agatha was sadly relegated to NPC status in Marvel's Midnight Suns. Agatha could be shown as an elderly sage and act as a support character in the game. It should be noted that younger versions of Agatha have been included in Marvel Comics, but her origin deserves further adaptation.
Contrasting this early comics version of Agatha, Wiccan could be introduced as a mage in training. With Scarlet Witch already playable in Mystic Mayhem, Wiccan, who has very similar abilities, might not be the best addition, but if NetEase and Marvel show Wiccan training under Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch, his addition could be justified while changing his power set to be slightly different from his mother's. This backstory would also make sense, as Wiccan and Doctor Strange work together in Marvel Comics, and he is sometimes depicted as Strange’s successor as Sorcerer Supreme.
Marvel Mystic Mayhem currently has no set release date. With that important bit of information still missing, it's unclear when fans can expect any announcements about the game’s roster. Nevertheless, players should keep an eye out for new spellcasters headed to Marvel Mystic Mayhem.
Marvel's Midnight Suns
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 90%
- Released
- December 2, 2022
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Language, Mild Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Marvel
WHERE TO PLAY
UNLEASH THE DARKER SIDE OF MARVEL
When the demonic Lilith and her fearsome horde unite with the evil armies of Hydra, it’s time to unleash Marvel’s dark side. As The Hunter, your mission is to lead an unlikely team of seasoned Super Heroes and dangerous supernatural warriors to victory. Can legends such as Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Blade put aside their differences in the face of a growing apocalyptic threat? If you’re going to save the world, you'll have to forge alliances and lead the team into battle as the legendary Midnight Suns.
With an array of upgradeable characters and skills allowing you to build your own unique version of The Hunter, you will choose how to send Lilith’s army back to the underworld.
