Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls aims to carve its own path in the fighting game genre, sidestepping direct comparisons to the legendary Marvel vs. Capcom series by focusing on a distinct team-based approach. Developed by Arc System Works, the game offers a fresh experience that appeals to both seasoned fighting game enthusiasts and newcomers drawn to the Marvel universe.
At its core, Marvel Tokon is a tag fighting game where players control a "point" character and can call in teammates for assist attacks or to swap out. A key differentiator is the inclusion of four characters per team, rather than the typical three. This emphasis on tagging is crucial, as individual characters can feel less impactful without coordinated team play. The game incorporates elements reminiscent of anime fighters with horizontal mobility and the verticality of Marvel vs. Capcom, but relies heavily on the assist system to unlock its full strategic potential.
Team Dynamics and Progression
Each match begins with two available characters, with the remaining two unlocked through losing rounds or performing a "wall break" in the game's corners. Unlike traditional tag fighters where teams dwindle, Marvel Tokon features a shared health bar, and players gradually gain access to their full roster. This slow build provides a sense of progression within a single match, escalating the action as more characters become available, leading to satisfying, multi-layered offensive sequences.
The game balances accessibility with depth. Features like autocombos and the ability to focus on a single point character make it approachable for beginners. Simultaneously, the system allows for complex team coordination, where players can strategically tag characters to exploit advantages or cover weaknesses, creating intricate offensive pressure. Resource management, including a meter for EX moves and supers and the "Assemble Gauge" for assists, encourages thoughtful decision-making during hectic battles. Players must weigh immediate damage potential against strategic goals like unlocking additional fighters.
Individual characters are designed with abilities that reflect their comic book origins. Captain America offers space control with his shield, Loki utilizes illusory clones, Black Panther provides speed-based pressure, and Spider-Man is presented as a highly mobile, mix-up-focused character. This attention to character identity enhances the strategic options available to players.
Presentation and Storytelling
Arc System Works' signature visual style is on full display, blending comic book aesthetics with anime maximalism. Character designs are sharp, and animations convey the impact of each attack, creating a visually striking experience. Deadpool, in particular, is noted for his in-game references and humorous one-liners. The game's presentation, a hallmark of Arc System Works titles, is a significant strength.
Beyond the core gameplay, Marvel Tokon includes an "Episode Mode" that offers a compelling narrative experience, a rarity in the fighting game genre. This mode features five distinct story arcs, each centered on a pre-made team of four characters. Delivered through a mix of anime cutscenes and motion comic-style illustrations, the stories are enhanced by strong writing from Kieron Gillen, providing satisfying character arcs and poignant moments that demonstrate a deep understanding of the Marvel IP. While the gameplay within these episodes is standard, the narrative content provides five to six hours of engaging single-player content.
Technical Difficulties Plague PC Port
Despite its innovative gameplay and strong presentation, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is significantly hampered by technical problems, particularly on its PC version. Even with post-launch updates, the game suffers from frequent crashes, including game-breaking errors that necessitate deleting save files. The inconsistent framerate is another major concern, as precise timing is paramount in fighting games. These issues persist even with high-end hardware and can negatively impact online matches, causing choppy gameplay for affected players regardless of their connection quality.
Matchmaking also presents problems, with players reporting lengthy wait times, especially in ranked modes. While a patch has offered minor improvements for some users, the PC port remains in an unacceptable state, requiring substantial work from Arc System Works and Sony to reach a satisfactory level. The game is available on PlayStation 5 and Windows PC.