Fighting Souls mixed reviews due to poor PC performance and access issues

When the titans of fighting game development collide, fans brace themselves for a spectacle. That’s exactly what happened when Arc System Works decided to take on the Marvel universe with their new title, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. The anticipation was huge, especially given the legacy of series like Marvel vs Capcom, and the promise of a truly massive crossover.

From an overall critical standpoint on Steam, the reception has been mixed, largely due to the challenges encountered during the PC port process. While the core concept is undeniably appealing, bringing this high-octane experience to PC has presented some significant technical hurdles for players.

The game launched its open beta accompanied by reports of performance hiccups, which led developers to implement fixes. However, these adjustments haven’t fully smoothed out the rough edges experienced by many users.

One immediate roadblock facing players is access itself. Because the game requires a PlayStation Network login, it is understandably restricted geographically, limiting availability in regions without PSN coverage. This means that fans worldwide are locked out of purchasing and playing in several countries.

Adding another layer of complexity, those who manage to play report ongoing technical frustrations. Players online have voiced concerns about micro-stutters and dropped frames, issues that impact the experience for all users, particularly those with crossplay enabled on consoles like the PS5.

The troubles extend beyond simple performance; players seeking access on alternative platforms have found themselves hitting walls. Users attempting to launch Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls on devices like the Steam Deck, or Linux-based systems, report being completely blocked from starting the game. This has led some community members to express frustration that the game seems aggressively hostile to the Linux community, despite precedents for other Arc System Works and Sony titles running smoothly on those platforms.

For a title that thrives on PC performance, these port issues represent a significant hurdle. Despite the excitement surrounding this major crossover, the current state of the PC experience suggests that while the potential is immense, the journey to full smooth gameplay is still underway.

Arc System Works has been transparent about these challenges. They have acknowledged the reports of performance issues and confirmed that their team is actively investigating the concerns raised by the community, emphasizing that player feedback is crucial in this process.