Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has encountered a rocky launch on Steam, garnering "Mixed" user reviews shortly after its August 6 release. Players are reporting a range of technical issues, with specific complaints targeting mandatory PlayStation Network (PSN) account linking, anti-cheat system roadblocks, and performance problems.
Despite anticipation for the fighting game, developed by Arc System Works and featuring a roster of Marvel characters, a significant portion of the Steam user base has expressed dissatisfaction. As of this writing, only 44% of the 2,561 reviews are positive. Prominent among player grievances are the requirement to link a PSN account, a policy that has previously caused controversy for other PlayStation-published titles on PC.
This PSN linking requirement has reportedly blocked access to the game in over 100 countries. Players have voiced frustration with this policy, with some comparing it to the situation with Helldivers 2, where Sony eventually rescinded a similar requirement after player backlash. However, Marvel Tokon's PSN account linking requirement remains in place.
Further technical complaints include issues with Linux support and performance. Some users have reported low framerates, with one reviewer stating that "45fps for a fighting game is embarrassing" and noting that other demanding fighting titles run better on their systems. Concerns about the game's compatibility with Linux and Steam Deck have also been raised, with players attributing these issues to the PSN integration.
Arc System Works has acknowledged the performance issues affecting PC players. The development team stated via the official Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls social media account that they are "actively investigating these reports" and encouraged players to continue providing feedback. The studio emphasized that player input is valuable for addressing the ongoing technical concerns.
Despite these launch-day problems, many negative Steam reviews also commend the underlying game design and mechanics. Several players praised the game itself, describing it as "Such a fun game" and an "INCREDIBLE game," while still criticizing the technical implementation and Sony's policies for marring the experience. Issues with the netcode and overall poor performance have been cited as negatively impacting online play.