Midnight Sons was underrated and deserved better! I’ll take any opportunity I can to shout this from the mountaintops!
Tenshizanshi
TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children is exactly what you ask for
thevictor390
Fire Emblem 3 Houses has missions between downtime.
tequilasauer
Actraiser
Arguably better than the main action game part of it. They ditched it in Actraiser 2 and it wasn’t nearly as good.
pyuunpls
Persona 5 (or any Persona) is a turned based RPG at night and a life sim by day. All while playing to the best soundtracks ever created.
Polluted_Shmuch
The title and image reminded me of Bully.
It’s dated, but in the offchance you haven’t played it, I highly recommend it. It still holds up rather well, as I feel many passed on it due to the controversy when it released, which was completely unfounded. The game truly is a gem.
Jindujun
Is that girl there wearing a slave collar or something around her neck?
That looks like a very uncomfortable necklace or choker or whatever you might call it.
Is it something used for her mutant ability?
crxsso_dssreer
Front Mission series, you gotta play a light novel in between missions and in FM3, surf the internet or check emails (I am not joking), you can literally email randos to get perks and unlock secret upgrades.
Lyrick_
For a second I thought this was a one of the between mission parts of Gotham Knights. Not much to do beyond chitchat with other Characters, upgrade some stuff, chase a cat and play Spy Hunter.
But if you’re looking for that kind of thing it’s there.
EtherCase
Mass Effect
NeedlessPedantics
Fallout 4… can just as easily spend hours adventuring as you can base building.
Hopeful_Butterfly302
Been playing Aliens: Dark Descent lately. Loads of time between missions, super tense missions. Great game.
yes_u_suckk
Midnight Suns is the type of game that I should love, in theory, because I love turn based games, I love deck building games and I love Marvel.
But fuck, I couldn’t stand this game. The cringy dialogs, the pointless side missions to build friendship, or the silly shinny objects that we need to collect around the house that resembles those mobile games where we collect 853450 types of coin to buy something in the end… I hate it all.
If you liked the game then good for you, but this was my biggest game disappointments of the last few years.
guilhermefdias
Yeah buddy, we are all with a void in our hearts because of no XCOM new games.
There is nothing out there quite like it.
NETRVNNER
Metal Gear Solid V
atomicitalian
Most Fire Emblem games since Awakening have had some downtime hub where you could restock, talk to your units, have tea/eat a meal/hang out with them in a tree house, etc.
I think Awakening was the first one where the relationship element began to show up so it makes sense.
Unicorn Overlord has less, but there are still some downtime activities you can do with your units, including beautifully animated food eating scenes.
I think the only game I’ve ever played that comes close to Midnight Suns regarding downtime is Fire Emblem 3 Houses and that game has a LOT of downtime stuff to do.
CooperDahBooper
Moonlighter is the first thing that came to mind, has the vibes of old Zelda games though. You raid dungeons during the day and sell your loot in your shop at night
DoktorBurian
Wizard with a Gun.
A near little isometric game with coop and ability to shape the base to your liking between all the run-ins to get resources. It’s pretty awesome and honestly underrated.
Shame the dev studio closed, but it’s still available to buy on Steam
LiftedRetina
Aliens: Dark Descent doesn’t get talked about enough. Your down time includes sending marines to therapy because sometimes the screaming just doesn’t stop.
Shadowking78
Nine Sols
The Four Seasons Pavillon acts as a hub, allowing you to interact with the characters there, and as you advance through the game, more characters show up, you find and bring back items you find in the world (not quest, just exploration rewards sprinkled about) and give them to the characters there to unlock side quests, character interactions, health upgrades, aesthetic changes to the area (think of it evolving over time) and the game really lets you take your time and bond with all these characters.
JohnnyHendo
Dungeons of Hinterburg. It’s an action RPG indie title where you go to vacation in the Alps. During the day, you travel out to different areas, explore, get magical powers, and challenge dungeons. At night, you explore the town, prepare for the next day, and hang out with people in the town doing different activities.
MarcusSwedishGameDev
Not sure if its exactly what you want, but Battle Brothers is a mercenary warband game and between battles you travel around, buy gear, find contracts, new men, and so on. Wartales is similar.
Though closer to Xcom is probably Jagged Alliance 3.
If you like mechs and turnbased then Battletech by Hairbrained Schemes is also something with management in between missions. There are some great mods for this too.
LedditLetMeUseMyVPNf
Back in the day I had this idea of people hanging out between combats and you could go and do stuff, side-missions that were totally different from the main game. It was inspired by visiting empty BF3 servers and walking around Paris’ streets alone and looking at buildings, thinking of potential tenants and such. Silly thing to remember! Feel free to use it in your game lol.
Anyway, the answer that comes to mind is Wolfenstein: The New Colossus. Some people hated its “breathers”, but I enjoyed them a lot.
Geralt_Romalion
Scarlet Nexus has this, where in between missions you go to your hide-out where you can talk with teammembers, give them gifts, learn more about them, pick up sidequests etc.
Dragon Age Origins has something a bit similar but unforced. You have a camp with campfire for your team and you can go there anytime between travels to talk with them, give them gifts, etc.
You will find yourself go back to that camp very often voluntarily (instead of going from objective to objective or questmarker to questmarker) just to see if there are new cutscenes happening or new dialogue options.
friskytorpedo
Hades.
Not really the same type of game as the ones you mentioned but after every run you get to socialize with all the characters and push forward their narrative arcs in a really natural narrative pace.
pogisanpolo
Metaphor: ReFantazio, mainly because it’s heavily inspired by Persona’s formula. If you like Atlus games, the game can be summed up as: Digital Devil Saga 3: Etrian Persona Tensei
Assassiiinuss
The older Monster Hunter games! Between quests you manage your farm, craft new gear, eat food, buy and sell items etc.
Organs_for_rent
Darkest Dungeon has you invest in your hamlet or your “heroes” between missions.
zjm555
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
rau1994
Midnight suns was very fun but way too much downtime in between missions.
Jerky_rambo
Phoenix Point. It is a game from the developers of the original X-Com.Has somewhat similar combat and includes base building.
Arc8ngel
Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy is like this. Underrated game, imo.
Cemaver
Spellforce => SpellForce 3 Reforced
erasethenoise
Persona is the father of these types of games
Lokinir
V rising
HadesWTF
Man. I enjoyed the heck out of Midnight Suns, but that dorky ass collar they made your character wear was annoying.
Mazisky
Any Total War, Warhammer being the coolest
DamianKilsby
Midnight Suns was such a fun game sad it probably won’t get a sequel
gotsmilk
As someone who isn’t that big into Marvel, I loved Midnight Sons, particularly because of the downtime in the Abbey. While I don’t think think it was aiming for this, it really felt like the closest we’ve gotten to having a proper “magic school video game”.
swarmofleprechauns1
This war of mine
Bakyra
if you’re looking for tactics, phoenix point, xenonauts 2, phantom doctrine, lamplighters league
oliferro
Maybe Hogwart’s Legacy? You can kinda build a base and have your own sanctuary for beasts
lazzzym
Do we count Yakuza?
Spenraw
Midnight suns was such a wonderful surprise
Ended up being one of my games of the year.
And yakuza games are king of this
TPDC545
Persona is sort of the gold standard here imo with social sim and skill progression opportunities between missions.
That said, turn-based RPGs seem to be the type of genre where you either enjoy them or they’re not for you.
Extension-Policy-139
SCARLET NEXUS is MOSTLY “downtime” missions, getting gifts for party members to build bonds to make their attacks more powerful
mvrander
Battletech
Back on the Argo to do repairs, sift through salvage, buy mechs and train up your mechwarriors then pick your next mission or destination on the star map for some tranquil warp jump animations
Battle gameplay is a mix of old proper Battletech table top and XCom style turn based combat
47 Comments
Midnight Sons was underrated and deserved better! I’ll take any opportunity I can to shout this from the mountaintops!
TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children is exactly what you ask for
Fire Emblem 3 Houses has missions between downtime.
Actraiser
Arguably better than the main action game part of it. They ditched it in Actraiser 2 and it wasn’t nearly as good.
Persona 5 (or any Persona) is a turned based RPG at night and a life sim by day. All while playing to the best soundtracks ever created.
The title and image reminded me of Bully.
It’s dated, but in the offchance you haven’t played it, I highly recommend it. It still holds up rather well, as I feel many passed on it due to the controversy when it released, which was completely unfounded. The game truly is a gem.
Is that girl there wearing a slave collar or something around her neck?
That looks like a very uncomfortable necklace or choker or whatever you might call it.
Is it something used for her mutant ability?
Front Mission series, you gotta play a light novel in between missions and in FM3, surf the internet or check emails (I am not joking), you can literally email randos to get perks and unlock secret upgrades.
For a second I thought this was a one of the between mission parts of Gotham Knights. Not much to do beyond chitchat with other Characters, upgrade some stuff, chase a cat and play Spy Hunter.
But if you’re looking for that kind of thing it’s there.
Mass Effect
Fallout 4… can just as easily spend hours adventuring as you can base building.
Been playing Aliens: Dark Descent lately. Loads of time between missions, super tense missions. Great game.
Midnight Suns is the type of game that I should love, in theory, because I love turn based games, I love deck building games and I love Marvel.
But fuck, I couldn’t stand this game. The cringy dialogs, the pointless side missions to build friendship, or the silly shinny objects that we need to collect around the house that resembles those mobile games where we collect 853450 types of coin to buy something in the end… I hate it all.
If you liked the game then good for you, but this was my biggest game disappointments of the last few years.
Yeah buddy, we are all with a void in our hearts because of no XCOM new games.
There is nothing out there quite like it.
Metal Gear Solid V
Most Fire Emblem games since Awakening have had some downtime hub where you could restock, talk to your units, have tea/eat a meal/hang out with them in a tree house, etc.
I think Awakening was the first one where the relationship element began to show up so it makes sense.
Unicorn Overlord has less, but there are still some downtime activities you can do with your units, including beautifully animated food eating scenes.
I think the only game I’ve ever played that comes close to Midnight Suns regarding downtime is Fire Emblem 3 Houses and that game has a LOT of downtime stuff to do.
Moonlighter is the first thing that came to mind, has the vibes of old Zelda games though. You raid dungeons during the day and sell your loot in your shop at night
Wizard with a Gun.
A near little isometric game with coop and ability to shape the base to your liking between all the run-ins to get resources. It’s pretty awesome and honestly underrated.
Shame the dev studio closed, but it’s still available to buy on Steam
Aliens: Dark Descent doesn’t get talked about enough. Your down time includes sending marines to therapy because sometimes the screaming just doesn’t stop.
Nine Sols
The Four Seasons Pavillon acts as a hub, allowing you to interact with the characters there, and as you advance through the game, more characters show up, you find and bring back items you find in the world (not quest, just exploration rewards sprinkled about) and give them to the characters there to unlock side quests, character interactions, health upgrades, aesthetic changes to the area (think of it evolving over time) and the game really lets you take your time and bond with all these characters.
Dungeons of Hinterburg. It’s an action RPG indie title where you go to vacation in the Alps. During the day, you travel out to different areas, explore, get magical powers, and challenge dungeons. At night, you explore the town, prepare for the next day, and hang out with people in the town doing different activities.
Not sure if its exactly what you want, but Battle Brothers is a mercenary warband game and between battles you travel around, buy gear, find contracts, new men, and so on. Wartales is similar.
Though closer to Xcom is probably Jagged Alliance 3.
If you like mechs and turnbased then Battletech by Hairbrained Schemes is also something with management in between missions. There are some great mods for this too.
Back in the day I had this idea of people hanging out between combats and you could go and do stuff, side-missions that were totally different from the main game. It was inspired by visiting empty BF3 servers and walking around Paris’ streets alone and looking at buildings, thinking of potential tenants and such. Silly thing to remember! Feel free to use it in your game lol.
Anyway, the answer that comes to mind is Wolfenstein: The New Colossus. Some people hated its “breathers”, but I enjoyed them a lot.
Scarlet Nexus has this, where in between missions you go to your hide-out where you can talk with teammembers, give them gifts, learn more about them, pick up sidequests etc.
Dragon Age Origins has something a bit similar but unforced. You have a camp with campfire for your team and you can go there anytime between travels to talk with them, give them gifts, etc.
You will find yourself go back to that camp very often voluntarily (instead of going from objective to objective or questmarker to questmarker) just to see if there are new cutscenes happening or new dialogue options.
Hades.
Not really the same type of game as the ones you mentioned but after every run you get to socialize with all the characters and push forward their narrative arcs in a really natural narrative pace.
Metaphor: ReFantazio, mainly because it’s heavily inspired by Persona’s formula. If you like Atlus games, the game can be summed up as: Digital Devil Saga 3: Etrian Persona Tensei
The older Monster Hunter games! Between quests you manage your farm, craft new gear, eat food, buy and sell items etc.
Darkest Dungeon has you invest in your hamlet or your “heroes” between missions.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Midnight suns was very fun but way too much downtime in between missions.
Phoenix Point. It is a game from the developers of the original X-Com.Has somewhat similar combat and includes base building.
Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy is like this. Underrated game, imo.
Spellforce => SpellForce 3 Reforced
Persona is the father of these types of games
V rising
Man. I enjoyed the heck out of Midnight Suns, but that dorky ass collar they made your character wear was annoying.
Any Total War, Warhammer being the coolest
Midnight Suns was such a fun game sad it probably won’t get a sequel
As someone who isn’t that big into Marvel, I loved Midnight Sons, particularly because of the downtime in the Abbey. While I don’t think think it was aiming for this, it really felt like the closest we’ve gotten to having a proper “magic school video game”.
This war of mine
if you’re looking for tactics, phoenix point, xenonauts 2, phantom doctrine, lamplighters league
Maybe Hogwart’s Legacy? You can kinda build a base and have your own sanctuary for beasts
Do we count Yakuza?
Midnight suns was such a wonderful surprise
Ended up being one of my games of the year.
And yakuza games are king of this
Persona is sort of the gold standard here imo with social sim and skill progression opportunities between missions.
That said, turn-based RPGs seem to be the type of genre where you either enjoy them or they’re not for you.
SCARLET NEXUS is MOSTLY “downtime” missions, getting gifts for party members to build bonds to make their attacks more powerful
Battletech
Back on the Argo to do repairs, sift through salvage, buy mechs and train up your mechwarriors then pick your next mission or destination on the star map for some tranquil warp jump animations
Battle gameplay is a mix of old proper Battletech table top and XCom style turn based combat