Beginner’s Guide to MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls

The highly anticipated Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls will launch its open beta from July 24 to 26, available on PlayStation 5 and PC. This limited‑time window gives players a chance to test the game’s mechanics and polish before the full release.

Whether you’re a seasoned fighter or a newcomer eager to wield your favorite Marvel heroes, this guide offers essential tips to navigate the beta and master the core gameplay.

From selecting your first character to mastering basic controls, combos, and team dynamics, we’ve compiled a set of strategies to help you make the most of the open beta experience.

When choosing a fighter, consult the EASE OF USE rating displayed on the character selection screen. Characters with more stars are designed for intuitive play, making them ideal for beginners. Heroes such as Captain America, Ms. Marvel, and Wolverine are particularly friendly for newcomers, while Iron Man and Spider‑Man also offer approachable learning curves.

Conversely, characters like Storm and Danger present advanced playstyles that demand additional practice. A key advantage of Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is the ability to lock in a character for the duration of a match, allowing you to build deep familiarity and refine your tactics. We recommend starting with the hero you love most and gradually expanding your roster as you grow more comfortable.

Unsure how to construct a balanced team? Pair a close‑range powerhouse with a long‑range specialist. For instance, Wolverine’s aggressive melee prowess complements Iron Man’s potent ranged attacks, creating a versatile and synergistic lineup.

In the end, the most powerful squad is the one that reflects your personal hero preferences. Experiment, mix and match until you craft a lineup that feels unmistakably yours.

Unsure where to start? Dive into Startup Battle, a guided mode that unpacks the game’s core mechanics in a step‑by‑step fashion while you assume the mantle of Captain America.

Through hands‑on tutorials, you’ll master everything from basic attacks—Light (□), Medium (△), and Heavy (○)—to combos, skills, and character‑specific moves, all while progressing through two distinct learning paths: Basics, which hones individual character actions, and Assemble, which introduces team‑based mechanics and cooperative plays.

If you already have a fighting‑game pedigree, feel free to skip the Basics module and jump straight into Assemble. While mastery isn’t required immediately, Startup Battle offers the ideal foundation before stepping into full‑scale combat.

New players should first master the Link Attack system, a core mechanic that lets you chain attacks by repeatedly pressing the same button. This simple technique unlocks beginner‑friendly combos, with L, M, and H representing Light, Medium, and Heavy moves.

For example, a sequence of Light attacks—L → L → L → L—triggers a Skill and can even break the current stage. Three Medium strikes—M → M → M—activate a powerful Super Skill, while a trio of Heavy blows—H → H → H—unleashes an even more devastating Ultimate Skill.

Begin by mastering these basic chains to build a solid damage foundation. Once you feel confident, you can experiment with more complex pathways that offer greater strategic depth.

Coordinating with teammates unlocks additional combo possibilities, amplifying the thrill of the game’s cooperative combat. Yet, striking is only one side of the equation—defensive skills are equally vital for a well‑rounded playstyle.

Players can now lock into a solid defensive stance by holding the left arrow key, which triggers a full‑body guard that absorbs incoming strikes.

For a more agile defense, pressing the down‑left arrow key initiates a crouched guard, allowing characters to dodge low attacks while still blocking.

Once you’ve mastered these basic blocks, the game introduces two sophisticated counter‑measures that can turn the tide of battle.

By simultaneously pressing the square and cross buttons while not in a guard, you activate the “Assemble Counter.” The character steps back defensively, and if an opponent lands a hit during this retreat, the system automatically launches a swift counterattack. Alternatively, pressing square and cross while guarding summons the “Crossover.” This move brings a teammate into the fray to interrupt the enemy’s strike, creating a perfect opening for a retaliatory strike.