Dataminers may have given us a look at the future of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and it seems that Fantastic Four fans have a lot to look forward to. The well-known datamining group X0XLeak posted on X that they found Doctor Strange, Wasp, Gambit, The Thing, and Daredevil mentioned in the game’s files. Another image circulating on social media shows in-game files that mention Mr. Fantastic, Human Torch, and Invisible Woman.
X0XLeak also found mentions of Klyntar (the planet of the symbiotes), Sanctum Sanctorum, and Japan as possible stages. Klyntar could be linked to Venom or Carnage, who is already in the game. Sanctum Sanctorum would almost certainly be a Doctor Strange map. Finally, Japan could be tied to Peni Parker or any number of other Japanese characters like Psylocke (in the continuities where she isn’t a British woman).
As for how fans have responded, Daredevil seems to be the most positively received of the bunch. Somehow, he’s never appeared in a major fighting game. Eagle-eyed Daredevil heads have already noticed that Matt Murdock can be seen in the background of Tokon’s New York stage. Others are quite excited about the Fantastic Four. Considering that Marvel Tokon is entirely themed around teams of four, it seems possible the group could be released back-to-back for one of the game’s year-long seasons.
Gambit is a slick inclusion, with the character gaining a bit of popularity thanks to X-Men ’97, Marvel Rivals, and his cameo in Deadpool and Wolverine. Wasp is probably the most surprising inclusion, especially given how tiny characters are notorious for causing strange problems in fighting games.
An important caveat regarding the data leak is that even if these characters are in the game’s files, there is no guarantee they will be included in the final game. And even if they do appear, it may take years. Data leaks around Guilty Gear Strive (another game by Arc System Works) hinted at Jam Kuradoberi’s eventual inclusion, but she didn’t make her debut until five years into the game’s life cycle.
We already know that Marvel Tokon’s first DLC character will be Phoenix Cyclops. “Unleash devastating Optic Blasts, relentless close-range pressure, and the cosmic flames of the Phoenix Force. Scott Summers brings the heat to [Marvel Tokon]: Fighting Souls this Fall!” the post revealing the character reads. He’s the first of four characters coming to the game during its initial year, alongside a new stage. Many fans believe that the other three unannounced characters from this year’s season may have been revealed in a recent tie-in comic as Silver Surfer, Nova, and Thor.
While Marvel Tokon got off to a very rocky start, Arc System Works released a patch that has partially addressed performance issues on PC. Many users are still reporting issues on the platform, but it is a step in the right direction. Additionally, its core gameplay has increasingly won over hardcore players who initially dismissed it as overly simplistic or too slow. The game has the second-highest number of registrants at this weekend’s major fighting game tournament, CEO, where it will make its competitive debut in earnest.
