Latest news with #KazutoSekine
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls set for 2026 release on PS5, Steam, and Epic Games store
4v4 tag team format redefines Marvel fighting games Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls introduces a new 4v4 tag team format to the genre, offering players a fresh take on competitive gameplay. Arc System Works has focused on allowing players to master a single character while still participating in dynamic team-based combat. Characters can be summoned mid-battle for support or combination attacks, creating a multi-character fighting experience unlike traditional 2v2 or 3v3 systems. The system supports both traditional and simplified input methods, making the title accessible to newcomers while still offering the depth needed for high-level play. According to game director Kazuto Sekine, the team emphasized a balance between learning ease and gameplay complexity. Also read: PlayStation State of Play kicks off today - here's when it starts, how to watch, and what to look out for 'Performing a variety of actions with either traditional or simple inputs ensures anyone can engage competitively while enjoying the unique energy of multiple characters interacting in real time,' Sekine said. Iconic characters and anime-inspired visual style Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls features a playable roster of iconic Marvel characters including Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Storm, Ms. Marvel, Star-Lord, and Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes). Each character is reimagined with custom visual designs and gameplay mechanics to align with their narrative backgrounds while fitting Arc System Works' anime-inspired art direction. Live Events The character selection process prioritized recognizable figures while introducing new faces to the fighting game genre. 'We needed characters who represented Marvel's identity, but also brought diverse fighting styles,' said Arc Producer Takeshi Yamanaka. 'We also wanted to include characters never before playable in this genre.' Arc initially explored a Western comic-book shader style but ultimately shifted toward the studio's signature Japanese animation look after discussions with Marvel Games. This visual direction brings high-definition, stylized effects to cinematic Ultimate Skills and stage transitions, further enhancing immersion. Also read: The Witcher 4 release date: Ciri takes lead in stunning PS5 tech demo at State of Unreal 2025 | Details Dynamic stages and strategic transitions Stages in Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls include layered designs with hidden Marvel easter eggs and multi-zone layouts. Players will battle across shifting environments that feature real-time transitions, offering new tactical opportunities during matches. Each stage is designed not only for visual impact but for strategic gameplay. Shifts between stage zones can affect combat outcomes, allowing players to gain positional advantage or trigger special environmental effects. In addition to the visual elements, Arc System Works and Marvel Games plan to expand on gameplay content with more announcements leading up to launch. Further character reveals, stage details, and online features are expected as the release date approaches.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
PlayStation State of Play: Latest on Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls, Silent Hill f, Nioh 3, Final Fantasy Tactics
Sony's PlayStation State of Play on Wednesday delivered a 50-minute showcase of PS5 and PSVR2 titles, spotlighting Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, Silent Hill f, Nioh 3, and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. There were a lot of reveals in the June 2025 event, and we wouldn't want you to miss out on the highlights. Announced as a 4v4 tag-team fighting game developed by Arc System Works (Guilty Gear, Dragon Ball FighterZ), Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls features Marvel heroes and villains in a vibrant Japanimation style, set for release in 2026 on PS5 and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store). Gameplay: Players control one character at a time, with simple or traditional inputs for accessibility, per game director Kazuto Sekine on Characters like Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Storm, Ms. Marvel, Star-Lord, and Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes) have bespoke Normal, Special, Unique, and cinematic Ultimate attacks, inspired by Marvel lore. The 4v4 format emphasizes chaotic, screen-filling battles and unique team-ups, a nod to Marvel's comic legacy. Status: No specific release date; character reveals and additional content details are promised soon. A new horror title set in 1960s rural Japan, Silent Hill f follows teenager Hinako Shimizu navigating a fog-haunted Ebisugaoka filled with monstrous creatures. It releases on September 25, 2025, for PS5, PC (Steam), and Xbox Series. Gameplay: The trailer showcased terrifying combat against grotesque, jointed creatures and scarecrow-like monsters, with Hinako using improvised weapons like a manhole cover. The narrative hints at a dreamlike or psychological horror, with themes of isolation and transformation ('We made a promise to be together forever'). Status: Pre-orders are open, with no demo announced. Team Ninja's Nioh 3, a Soulslike sequel, was revealed for an early 2026 release on PS5, featuring a larger open world and intense boss fights, per A limited-time demo is available now on PS5 until June 18, 2025, per Gameplay Details: The trailer highlighted fast-paced, punishing combat with massive bosses, building on Nioh's samurai-inspired mechanics. The expanded open world aims to deepen exploration. Status: No exact release date; the demo offers hands-on access. A remaster of the 1997 classic, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles launches on September 30, 2025, for PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series, and PC. It includes Classic and Enhanced modes. Gameplay: The Enhanced version offers fully voiced dialogue, an updated UI, graphical improvements, and quality-of-life features like a 'Squire' difficulty setting, while Classic mode preserves the original. The tactical RPG retains its turn-based combat and Ivalice setting. Status: Pre-orders are available, with no demo announced.
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Marvel's New Fighting Game Looks Simply Awesome
PlayStation's State of Play livestream brought exciting news for fans of Marvel's fighting games, with a surprising twist. Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls—arriving in 2026 for PC and PS5—is coming not from Capcom, developer of so many past Marvel games in the genre, but instead from a different Japanese company, Arc System Works (Guilty Gear, BlazBlue). Also of note, the game is a 4v4 tag-team fighter, and features some snazzy tokusatsu-inspired designs for its large roster of familiar characters. The announcement trailer touting the collaboration between PlayStation Studios, Arc System Works, and Marvel Games gives you some eye candy to go with those details: PlayStation's official blog offers a few more details beyond that incredibly fun and high-energy teaser video: 'Generally, a team VS fighting game requires the player to learn multiple characters,' explained game director and lead battle designer Kazuto Sekine. 'But for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, you only need to master one character in order to play the game. We have designed the mechanics in such a way that you can perform a variety of actions with either traditional fighting game inputs or simple inputs. With the press of a few buttons, multiple characters can appear on screen to provide backup or attack together—creating a new and exciting team VS battle experience.' Those characters, the teaser and the blog post confirm, include Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Storm, Ms. Marvel, Star-Lord, and Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes). They will each feature 'a bespoke set of Normal, Special, and Unique attacks inspired by their abilities and powers in Marvel lore,' with special consideration given to the game's format as a specifically 4v4 tag-team fighter. Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls arrives next year. Will you be checking out based on this first extended glimpse?
