Fighting games can become a wall of character-specific commands, timing windows, and increasingly painful losses. MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls takes a friendlier route in its current beta, giving every hero the same basic attack structure while leaving plenty of room for character-specific play.
A hands-on account published by PC Gamer highlighted how the system lowers the initial barrier without turning every member of the roster into the same fighter. Light, medium, and heavy attacks work consistently whether a character is standing, crouching, or airborne. The same inputs also lead into preset attack chains.
One basic sequence begins with L → M → H → Down → H → M → H → Down → H. It sends an opponent upward, continues into an aerial string, and finishes by bringing them back down. The shared structure means players can switch between heroes without memorizing an entirely different set of commands each time.
Simple inputs, different heroes
The controls cover more than basic attacks. The right bumper handles a character’s special attacks, while the right trigger activates skills. Triangle/Y and Circle/B are used for grabs, and X/A plus the left trigger control team-switching actions.
That layout makes it possible to move from Wolverine to Captain America without rebuilding muscle memory from scratch. The game still asks players to learn spacing, timing, and matchups, but the first step is less about remembering a long list of fighter-specific commands.
The heroes also retain their own identities through their abilities. Captain America can throw his shield and call it back for another hit when the timing is right. Spider-Man can swing around the arena and hang from ceilings. Wolverine enters a Berserk state through certain moves, adding extra damage to his attacks. Green Goblin can send out his glider before it returns to him shortly afterward.
Those tools become more important in the game’s four-hero tag-team format. Teammates can jump in with follow-up attacks after certain combos when enough charge is available, and players can also swap characters manually. Learning a single hero is only the beginning. The deeper challenge comes from connecting four distinct kits into one working team.
That balance gives MARVEL Tōkon an inviting starting point without removing its higher-level options. New players can focus on the shared controls and automated strings, then gradually add special attacks, assists, swaps, and timing-based extensions as they become comfortable.
The presentation helps sell the idea, too. The bold comic-book visuals and sharp character designs make even a messy match feel lively. For players who have bounced off traditional fighters because the controls felt too demanding, the beta offers a more approachable way into the genre without making the roster feel interchangeable.
The beta is now underway, giving players a chance to see whether the shared-control approach works for them. Tell us what you think in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls
Developed by Arc System Works
Assemble your team of legendary Marvel characters in the ultimate 4v4 tag team fighter from PlayStation Studios, Arc System Works and Marvel Games.
Immerse yourself in the Marvel universe like never before with an iconic roster of heroes and villains, authentic stages, and intuitive gameplay mechanics. Experience the thrill of fast-paced over the top action with stunning anime-inspired visuals, where every battle is a unique and exciting team VS battle experience.
- Genre: Fighting
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
- Modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Split screen
- Release: 2026-12-31
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Studios, Marvel Games
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Age Rating:
ESRB RP
