Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls - Is This the Marvel Fighter We've Been Waiting For?
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Jeff got hands-on with Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls at EVO 2025, finding a potentially solid fighter with a good mix of characters and gameplay, but remains cautiously optimistic about the full release and online features.
Right, so Marvel's jumping back into the fighting game ring, and this time it’s with *Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls*. I had a cheeky hands-on at EVO 2025, and fair dinkum, it’s got me cautiously optimistic.
IGN South Africa dropped the gameplay announcement trailer during the State of Play 2025, and the initial buzz was…well, mixed. Another Marvel fighter? We've seen that before, haven't we? But after getting my mitts on it, I reckon there’s something genuinely interesting brewing here.
First things first: the gameplay feels solid. Think *Street Fighter* meets *Marvel vs. Capcom*, but with a dash more…weight. Characters don't just float around like balloons; they feel like they actually *exist* in the space, which is a bloody nice change. The combat system is approachable but offers a surprisingly deep layer of tactical play. No mashing buttons here, mate. You’ll need to think about your combos and spacing.
The character roster, at least in the demo, was intriguing. We had the usual suspects – Iron Man, Captain America – but also some deeper cuts like Moon Knight and Squirrel Girl. Squirrel Girl unleashing a horde of squirrels on Doctor Doom? Yeah, that happened. It's that perfect blend of Marvel silliness and serious fighting chops that actually works.
Now, let's talk visuals. The game looks gorgeous. The character models are sharp, the animations are fluid, and the special effects are eye-popping without being overwhelming. It's a far cry from some of the earlier Marvel fighting games that looked like they were rendered on a potato.
But here's where my skepticism kicks in (gently, mind you). Will the full game deliver on the promise of the demo? Will the character roster be diverse enough to keep players engaged long-term? And, perhaps most importantly, will the online netcode be up to snuff? Because let's be honest, a fighting game is only as good as its online experience.
*Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls* has the potential to be something special. It’s got the looks, the gameplay, and the Marvel IP behind it. But it’s going to need to stick the landing with a solid roster, robust online features, and a commitment to ongoing support. If it can do that, we might just have a new contender for the fighting game throne.
Based on my brief encounter, I'm cautiously optimistic. Keep your eyes peeled, gaming mates – this one could surprise us all. Just remember, this all started with a video from IGN South Africa at EVO 2025, so credit where credit's due!
Tags: fighting games, marvel, evo 2025, gameplay, impressions
Original article: IGN South Africa