Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has launched with severe PC performance problems, prompting high-profile creators and many players to switch to PlayStation 5 while developer Arc System Works investigates
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has encountered significant technical problems on PC during its launch week, with widespread reports of poor performance and instability. The situation escalated when Maximilian Christiansen, better known as Maximilian Dood and widely recognised within the fighting game community, publicly uninstalled the game live on stream after only two days of play. His decision has brought further attention to the PC port's troubled state, raising questions about the game's future on the platform.
PC Performance and Player Frustration
Players on PC have reported persistent stuttering, frame drops and general instability since Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls released on 6 August 2026. While the PlayStation 5 version appears to be running smoothly, the PC edition has quickly developed a reputation for technical shortcomings. Maximilian Dood's livestream, in which he described the PC port as "really s**t" and ultimately removed it from his Steam library, has become a focal point for player frustration. He cited the lack of cross-progression as an additional barrier, noting that switching to PlayStation 5 would require unlocking all content again from scratch.
Steam user reviews reflect the scale of the problem. Within days of launch, the game's overall rating dropped to "Mixed" with only 44% positive reviews across all languages. As Arc System Works acknowledged the issues and promised to investigate, the situation deteriorated further, with the positive review percentage falling to 41% overall and just 39% in English, now categorised as "Mostly Negative".
Developer Response and Platform Divide
Arc System Works has publicly committed to investigating the technical issues affecting the PC version, but no substantial fixes have been delivered as the first weekend concludes. The developer's response has not yet reversed the negative momentum, and there is no confirmed timeline for a patch or update to address the most severe problems. In the meantime, the PlayStation 5 version remains unaffected, with players and creators reporting stable performance and smooth online matches.
Maximilian Dood has since streamed the PlayStation 5 version, describing his experience as "wonderful" even in matches with higher latency. He has stated that he will avoid the PC version entirely until meaningful improvements are made. The lack of cross-progression between platforms means that players who switch must repeat all unlocks and progression, further discouraging those affected by PC issues from returning in the short term.
Launch Timing and Player Impact
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls launched simultaneously on PC and PlayStation 5 on 6 August 2026. The game, published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and developed by Arc System Works, is a 4v4 superhero tag fighter featuring a roster of Marvel characters. The PC version's technical problems have overshadowed its release, with the negative reception on Steam and high-profile player departures dominating discussion. The absence of cross-progression and the lack of a clear update schedule have left many PC players uncertain about whether to persist or move to console.
For those interested in broader franchise developments, recent updates such as the integration of multiple Final Fantasy VII spin-offs into the ending of Final Fantasy VII Revelation have also prompted discussion about how major publishers handle post-launch support and narrative continuity. For more on this trend, see our coverage of how Final Fantasy VII Revelation is tying together its spin-offs.
What Remains Uncertain
At present, Arc System Works has not provided a detailed roadmap or timeline for resolving the PC port's technical issues. It is unclear whether future patches will fully address the stuttering, frame drops and instability reported by players. The absence of cross-progression remains a significant limitation, and there is no indication that this feature will be added in the near future. Until a substantial update is released, the PC version's reputation is likely to remain under pressure, with many players opting for the more stable PlayStation 5 experience.
Understanding cross-progression is essential in this context. Cross-progression allows players to carry their unlocks, achievements and progression across different platforms, reducing friction when switching devices. Its absence in Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls means that players who move from PC to PlayStation 5 must start over, which can be a major deterrent-especially when technical issues force a platform change. As more games adopt cross-progression, its presence or absence increasingly shapes player decisions and the long-term health of a game's community.
