The PC version of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has reportedly been cracked, with players claiming the pirated version runs significantly better than the official release. The game has faced widespread criticism on Steam, holding a "Mixed" user score with 47% positive reviews, largely due to performance problems.
Players have cited issues such as inconsistent frame rates, frequent crashes, and online play disruptions, even on hardware exceeding the developer's recommended specifications. These problems have led to speculation that digital rights management (DRM) software, often employed by publishers to prevent piracy, is negatively impacting the game's performance on PC. The PlayStation 5 version of Marvel Tokon has not encountered similar issues, further fueling this theory.
According to reports from sites tracking game cracks, the DRM protection on Marvel Tokon was bypassed approximately 11 days after its release. Shortly after, a Reddit user shared their experience, stating that a cracked version of the game achieved a stable 60 frames per second on high settings. This user also noted that the preloading of game shaders, a requirement for a smooth experience in the official PC version, was unnecessary in the cracked build. While this player still encountered minor stutters in menus and during super moves, other users on forums like ResetEra have corroborated claims of improved performance with the unofficial version.
The same Reddit user pointed out that even without the DRM, other background processes could still affect performance in Marvel Tokon. These include multiple instances of Sony's SDK, utilized for PlayStation Network integration, and the Easy Anti-Cheat software, both of which may contribute to additional performance drains.
While Sony likely implemented DRM to curb piracy and protect against data mining, the effectiveness of this measure is questionable. Players have already managed to access and leak game files, revealing unannounced characters. Notably, Deadpool himself references character leaks in an in-game dialogue. The DRM appears to have failed in its primary objective of preventing unauthorized access while simultaneously degrading the experience for legitimate PC customers.
Publishers sometimes opt to remove DRM from games post-launch, though this process typically takes months or even years. The continued performance issues in Marvel Tokon could potentially impact its player base and overall popularity if a resolution is not found promptly.