Based on the marketing that Marvel’s Midnight Suns had before launch, fans may be surprised how much of its core gameplay loop revolves around befriending iconic Marvel characters in third-person. The Abbey grounds are home to a lot of explorative areas for additional lore, but it is important to also spend time with characters before and after combat missions to increase their respective friendship levels. One tough cookie players interact with is none other than Marvel’s Midnight Suns’ Blade, who has a surprising character arc.
Blade is as stoic and emotionally walled-off in the beginning of Marvel’s Midnight Suns as fans may predict. But after a little bit of regular conversation, players learn that the leather-clad dhampir is starting to stumble over his feelings for one of the Abbey’s newer arrivals. It does not take long to discern that Blade has feelings for Carol Danvers, also known as Marvel’s Midnight Suns’ Captain Marvel, and these moments make Blade a much more empathetic and robust character as a result.
Blade’s Affection Breaks Down His Broody Shell in Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Certain characters like Nico Minoru are more inclined to get to know Hunter—Blade, however, is not one of those characters. Blade has initial reservations about what he is willing to share with Hunter and seems distrusting of them as soon as they meet.
Like Magik, Blade is depicted as being decidedly more brooding than even Wolverine. Blade expresses a particular interest in Captain Marvel soon thereafter, which the player can choose to inquire about, and Blade becomes adorably shy in response to that acknowledgment.
He can be seen perched on gargoyles and takes an interest in a Shadowhound’s presence in the grounds, but it is not until Marvel’s Midnight Suns introduces character-led clubs that Blade finally starts to open up more. It is here that Blade starts a book club in an unsubtle effort to talk to Captain Marvel more and learn about her interests.
Even if Blade is not a character that players care to take into combat missions or level up in friendship, this is certainly the most compelling part of his character in Marvel’s Midnight Suns. The game is full of these optional moments that help players learn more about each iconic Marvel hero in Marvel’s Midnight Suns’ roster, and Blade’s development surprisingly blossoms into a romance narrative that fans may not have expected.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns’ Hunter is Essentially Blade’s Wingmate
Much to fans’ disappointment, Marvel’s Midnight Suns does not allow players to engage in romantic relationships themselves. However, players have a fairly large role in mentoring Blade through his feelings toward Carol.
Blade’s unwillingness to open up to the Hunter in the beginning of the game may give players a difficult time trying to understand why they would then vouch for him in his pursuit of Carol. Of course, fans who already loved the character from source material before the game may be understanding and admiring of his no-nonsense personality. Blade is kinder to Hunter during their Book Club meetings, but it seems as though he is only being kinder to them in order to get more advice on how to court Carol.
It is still rewarding to see Blade open himself up emotionally, especially with Carol seemingly reciprocating Blade’s admiration during these meetings. Outside of book club meetings this character development is obviously not emphasized as deeply, but that is what makes Marvel’s Midnight Suns’ social RPG features and recreational clubs special and rewarding.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns is available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with PS4, Switch, and Xbox One versions coming later.
