Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Review - A Deep Dive into the Mechanics and Fun
As an avid fan of fighting games, I was excited to dive into Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, a 4v4 tag team game that promises to bring the excitement of Marvel superheroes to the arena. Having played the open beta, I can confidently say that Tokon is a lot of fun, with a unique take on tag fighting that adds a layer of complexity and strategy. Here's my breakdown of what makes it stand out and why it's worth checking out.
A Fresh Take on Tag Fighting
Tokon takes the traditional 4v4 tag fighting game and twists it with a clever mechanic. Instead of each team member having their own health bar, all characters on a team share the same lifebar. This change is a welcome one, as it simplifies the UI and prevents the pitfall of matches running too long due to one fighter taking too much damage. It also removes the barrier of entry for new players, as you don't need to master multiple characters to be competitive. You can be a strong player with just one character, but there's a lot of value in crafting a well-synergized team.
The game encourages a strategic approach, allowing you to adapt your gameplan piece-by-piece. For instance, if you struggle against a particular opponent, you can swap to a better-suited character. This system feels designed to cater to players who want to learn at their own pace, starting with a small foundation and building upon it.
Assist System: A Double-Edged Sword
One of the most intriguing aspects of Tokon is its assist system, which adds a layer of complexity and depth. However, it can also be overwhelming for newcomers. Every match starts with only two characters available, and the remaining fighters need to be unlocked by performing specific actions. This unlocks another bar on the Assemble meter, which governs the ability to call assists during specific moments.
The assist system is hyper-specific, with each character having a unique assist. This leads to a lot of variety in gameplay, but it can also be finicky. You have to be precise with your assist calls, as they can cost meter if used incorrectly. The active tag system, which allows you to switch control to your assist character, feels more restrained compared to other games, which can make it less fun on the offensive side.
Stylish Characters and Deep Mechanics
Despite the assist system's quirks, Tokon shines when it comes to character design and gameplay. Every character oozes style and authenticity, from Spider-Man's web-zipping to Storm's weather manipulation. ArcSystem Works has done an excellent job of making each character feel unique and fun to play. The game's mechanics are deep and require a lot of practice, but the learning curve is rewarding.
What's Next?
I've only scratched the surface of what Tokon has to offer. The game promises a 10+ hour original story mode, teaching and training tools, and a gigantic online lobby. I plan to test the PC performance on live servers and provide a more comprehensive review early next week. Stay tuned for my full analysis and don't miss out on the fun that Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has to offer!
