The pre-launch open beta for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has commenced today, July 24th, offering players a chance to experience the game's superhero combat before its full release early next month. The beta will conclude on July 27th. Alongside the beta launch, developer Arc System Works has revealed that Phoenix Cyclops will be the first fighter added as post-launch downloadable content in autumn.
The open beta is accessible to all players and runs for 72 hours, concluding on July 26th at 11:59 PM PT and July 27th at 7:59 AM BST / 2:59 AM ET. Players will need an internet connection and a PlayStation account to participate, though a PlayStation Plus subscription is not required. The necessity of a PlayStation account has been a point of discussion, potentially influencing the availability of the Steam version in certain regions.
During the beta, participants can engage in battles across six different stages and will have access to 15 of the 20 fighters planned for the full launch, including notable characters like Blade, Iron Man, Black Panther, and Magneto. The beta also features an open lobby, a training mode for familiarizing oneself with the controls, and the first three chapters of the narrative-driven Amazing Guardians storyline within Episode Mode.
Phoenix Cyclops, the first announced DLC character, is part of a planned 'year one' set of additions that will also include a new stage. Arc System Works producer Takeshi Yamanaka described this iteration of Cyclops as drawing inspiration from his Phoenix Five appearance from Avengers vs. X-Men, featuring a new visual design and infused with the power of the Phoenix Force. Yamanaka added that this Cyclops will possess powerful Optic Blasts and hand-to-hand combat skills, amplified by the Phoenix Force, suggesting a formidable addition to the roster.
Players interested in joining the open beta can download it from the Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Steam page.