Rory Norris admits he’s never been comfortable with traditional fighting games, but the Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls beta caught his eye at Sony’s 2025 State of Play and prompted a test run. The title’s biggest draw is its “universal controls” system, which replaces character‑specific combos with a single set of inputs that work for every hero.
All characters share the same light, medium and heavy attacks, whether standing, crouching or airborne, and the sequence automatically strings together into preset chains. The right bumper triggers each hero’s signature move, the right trigger handles skills, while triangle/Y and circle/B perform grabs and X/A plus the left trigger swap teammates. This streamlined layout contrasts sharply with the intricate button sequences required in games like Mortal Kombat, making basic execution far more approachable.
Despite the shared core moves, each superhero retains distinct abilities—Captain America’s shield can be bounced for ranged damage, Spider‑Man’s webs grant ceiling hangs, Wolverine can enter a berserk state for extra damage, and Green Goblin’s glider returns after launch. The four‑hero tag‑team format encourages players to blend these powers, hinting at deeper strategic layers once the basics are mastered. Norris suggests the universal combat could be the genre’s “Trojan horse,” inviting newcomers to give fighting games a serious try.
