MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls Gameplay Explored in Official Gameplay Beginner’s Guide

For those curious about Arc System Works’ latest game and hyped crossover with Marvel Comics, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, ArcSys has given us an 11 minute breakdown of the system mechanics that will be available in the game. Though, keep in mind the game is still in development and still subject to change.

The video goes over some of the typical things you’d expect from a fighting game: hold back to block, hold down back to block low, up is jump, dash is two forward inputs, etc. Some of the atypical things to most 2D fighters, but Marvel vs. Capcom players will recognize are things like Super Jumps as well as launchers and assist calls. One thing that’s confirmed to be in the game is an easier input system similar to assist modes like Street Fighter 6’s Modern mode, with simplified assists for those who don’t want to learn motion inputs. Thankfully, motion inputs are still in Marvel Tokon, much to the relief of the majority of the older fighting game player base.

Also explained in the video are the unique system mechanics, including the Skill Gauge at the bottom of the screen used for metered variations of various special moves, as well as the Assemble Meter below the characters’ health bars, which fuels the various team-up and tag abilities you can use.

Speaking of tags, Tokon has a very unique approach to your teammates. Unlike other tag fighters, Tokon uses a single bar of health to determine the collective health of your squad of 4. And, and this might be the most contentious topic of the video, you don’t start a match with all 4 of your teammates. Instead, you start with a single teammate and their assist, and can “earn” additional teammates either by landing a throw or achieving a wall break while on offense, or the game will give you teammates for every round you lose (matches are 3 out of 5 rounds). An interesting variation on the assist mechanic made famous by past Marvel vs. titles, we’ll have to see how popular it is when we can all get our hands on a demo.

While we’re sure to get many more characters in Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, the initial 6 we’re seeing still give us plenty to look at and Tokon’s Twitter has given out their move lists for you to peruse and find your team. Give it a look!