Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is currently plagued by a problematic PC port, leading many players to seek unconventional solutions for its significant performance issues. The game's Steam reviews reflect this dissatisfaction, with a 40% approval rating largely attributed to widespread stutters and frame drops that render the game nearly unplayable for some.
In response to these technical difficulties, players have shared a range of peculiar fixes. One widely discussed, albeit unverified, suggestion involves running the Epic Games Store (EGS) in the background, even for those playing the Steam version. This workaround is thought to improve the integration of Unreal Engine 5, which Marvel Tokon utilizes and which communicates with Epic Games' backend services. Player responses to this particular fix are divided, with some claiming it resolved their issues and others reporting no change.
Another unusual tactic for tackling microstuttering involves using the Riva Tuner Statistics Server (RTSS) software to lock the game's framerate to precisely 59.9 frames per second. While RTSS is known for its framerate limiting capabilities, the specific necessity of this exact figure to rectify the problem is puzzling to many.
Beyond these unconventional methods, more standard troubleshooting steps are also being recommended, such as utilizing the game's "Set Graphics Automatically" feature and manually reloading shaders. However, it remains unclear how effective any of these solutions are, with the possibility of placebo effects being a concern.
The issues extend beyond single-player performance, significantly impacting the multiplayer experience. The netcode's tendency for "one-sided rollback" means that even if one player's PC is running the game flawlessly, a match can still stutter on their end if their opponent is experiencing technical problems.
This situation has prompted notable reactions from the fighting game community. Prominent streamer Maximiliian Dood reportedly uninstalled the PC version mid-stream to switch to the PlayStation 5 version. The online tournament series Tampa Never Sleeps has even banned PC players from its Marvel Tokon brackets. Some players on PS5 are disabling crossplay to avoid potential issues with PC players, effectively isolating them from the online ecosystem.
Player reception to Marvel Tokon's core gameplay is mixed. While the visuals and character-specific playstyles are generally praised, some critics point to the game's slow central movement and combo execution. The hope among players is that Arc System Works and Sony will address the PC port's instability, allowing discussions to shift from technical workarounds to the game's balance and design.