Marvel Tokon: Fighting Soulsis Arc System Works’ answer to theMarvel vs. Capcomseries, filling the void thatMarvel vs. Capcom: Infiniteleft almost 10 years ago. After the success of Marvel Games projects in other genres – from Insomniac’sSpider-Manseries to the popular hero shooterMarvel Rivals–Marvel Tokon: Fighting Soulsis bringing these beloved comic book characters back to the arena in a new tag fighting game.
The way thatMarvel Tokonis handling tag battles is perfect for an IP centered around teams and alliances like Marvel. It has already proven its potential to be one of the mostinnovative approaches to tag fightingin the genre, bolstered by its cast of Marvel heroes and villains. However, there is one team of heroes established in the Marvel universe that would fitMarvel Tokon’s gameplay more than any other: the Fantastic Four.
Marvel Tokon’s 4v4 Tag Battles Revolutionize the Genre
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Soulsis introducing an interesting premise. Many tag fighting games give players the option of 2v2 or 3v3 battles, both of which have been adopted byMarvel vs. Capcomin the past. Upping the ante,Marvel Tokonuses a 4v4 system, differentiating itself from other titles in the genre. While this could be daunting, the development team has assured fans that they will not be expected to fully learn the movesets of all the characters on their team, but the potential to do so is still there for competitive players.
Tag battles aren’t new territory for Arc System Works, either. 2018 saw the release of two tag fighters from the company,BlazBlue: Cross Tag BattleandDragon Ball FighterZ, which are 2v2 and 3v3 fighting games, respectively.Marvel Tokonis an evolution of Arc System Works’ previous games, innovating the genre to allow for a team of up to four playable characters at a time. Though the methods of tagging in these other characters remain unknown, it will undoubtedly allow players of all skill levels to showdown against the Marvel cast in a cinematic and spectacular fashion.
4v4 Fights are the Perfect Entry Point for The Fantastic Four
Marvel’s First Family’s First Fighting Game
The 4v4 tag system may seem peculiar at first, but there could be a good reason for this number. Specifically, this number of characters in a single team could open the doors for the Fantastic Four to join. While there have been somegames featuring the Fantastic Four, Marvel’s first family has yet to make an appearance in a fighting game. Since this game would allow for each member to appear in a single team, this could be the perfect way to introduce them to the genre.
It is confirmed that Doctor Doom will be playable inMarvel Tokon, to the delight ofMarvel vs. Capcomfans. His inclusion in past Marvel fighting games has made him iconic, so much so thatDoctor Doom’s foot dive was referenced inFortnite. He has become a fan favorite among fighting game fans, but as a primary antagonist inFantastic Fourcomics, the omission of the series’ heroes is noticeable. Including all four of them inMarvel Tokonto face off against Doctor Doom could be rewarding for players and comic fans alike.
If the Fantastic Four make their fighting game debut inMarvel Tokon, there are some fighting game archetypes that they could each fill. While players may draw similarities between Ms. Marvel and Mister Fantastic, their playstyles could be differentiated byKamala’s ability to manipulate her mass, meaning Reed’s moves can focus more on his elasticity. The Thing could also add some much-needed diversity to the cast ofMarvel Tokon, as his stature would make him the perfect grappler.
The Human Torch could function much like Storm appears to, using his elemental powers to zone opponents out and control space. Invisible Woman’s invisibility could present problems for both the player and opponents, but could be a major benefit as an assist. Her shielding abilities could also give the team more defensive options.
Tokon Could Use The Fantastic Four’s Newfound Popularity
The Fantastic Four has made a major comeback in recent years, making its Marvel Cinematic Universe debut inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepson June 14, 2025. General audiences are likely already familiar with these heroes, and whileThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsis not an origin story, the movie will get fans acquainted with their powers and personalities. To take advantage of the excitement about the movie and the increasing popularity ofThe Fantastic Fourcharacters, they could be included inMarvel Tokon’s roster.
Marvel Rivalsalso gave The Fantastic Four a boost, with the game’s first season being centered around these heroes. After staggering the release of each member, players are now able to use each of them within one team. The groundwork set byMarvel Rivalsto include the Fantastic Four in a gamehas made the family special again, making it a great opportunity to add them toMarvel Tokon’s cast.
The Fantastic Four have taken a much more prominent role in Marvel comics recently. In particular, Reed Richards is a major character in the Ultimate Universe comics, acting as both a hero and a villain.One of Mister Fantastic’sMarvel Rivalsskins is The Maker, allowing players to take on the appearance of the villain during matches.Marvel Tokoncould similarly draw inspiration fromThe Ultimatescomics for a Doctor Doom recolor, but to fully emphasize the importance of The Fantastic Four, they could all be added as unique fighters instead.
Marvel Tokon’s new approach to tag battles helps the game to stand out among others in the genre, granting access to a new way to play with 4v4 tag battles. To make the best use of this, making the Fantastic Four playable would really bring the idea of a 4-person team home. There is a lot of pressure on the Fantastic Four right now, but if done right,Marvel Tokoncould use the team to its advantage.
