Preventing Souls Interview – PlayStation.Weblog

MARVEL legends, bring together! Coming to PlayStation 5 in 2026, MARVEL Tōkon: Preventing Souls is a 4v4 team-based combating recreation created in partnership with Arc Machine Works — famend for Responsible Equipment and Dragon Ball Fighter Z — PlayStation Studios, and MARVEL Video games.

The sport has captured the eye of each combating recreation fans and MARVEL fanatics alike. We spoke with Arc Machine Works Manufacturer Takeshi Yamanaka, Recreation Director and Lead Struggle Dressmaker Kazutoshi Sekine, and SIE PlayStation Studios XDEV Senior Manufacturer Reed Baird in regards to the recreation’s standout options, distinctive components, and the debut of Spider-Guy and Ghost Rider as playable characters at Tokyo Recreation Display 2025.

From Japan to the sector – a tribute to MARVEL and its fanatics

PS Weblog: How was once the name MARVEL Tōkon: Preventing Souls selected?

Yamanaka: A beam of sunshine flashes between the characters after they’re swapped, and we interpreted that gentle as a “soul,” which galvanized the inclusion of “Preventing Souls” within the name. Then again, “MARVEL Preventing Souls” on my own didn’t seize the Jap id we needed to put across, particularly when some of the venture’s targets was once to ship one thing particular from Japan to an international target market. That’s why we added the Jap phrase “Tōkon,” because of this combating spirit.

With heroes and villains in a position to sign up for forces, is the sport supposed to be an epic but chaotic crossover of MARVEL characters?

Yamanaka: I will be able to’t divulge specifics simply but, however each and every personality has their very own detailed lore and backstory. As for why heroes and villains can staff up, we’ll have extra to proportion in long run updates.

What was once maximum vital to you when bringing MARVEL characters right into a combating recreation?

Yamanaka: We made certain to recognize each and every personality via holding their iconic components that fanatics know and love. On the similar time, our objective was once to show off our distinctive Jap point of view and the Arc Machine Works id throughout the designs. MARVEL Video games spoke back maximum strongly to Iron Guy and Hurricane. With Hurricane, I consider we have been in a position to ship the imaginative and prescient they have been hoping to peer from Jap creators.

What did you prioritize on the subject of presentation?

Sekine: We gave the nature make a selection display a recent, unique glance, drawing on each American comics and Jap shōnen manga for inspiration. Suits that conclude with a degree transition or an excellent transfer are offered in a manga panel taste, growing a novel impact not like anything else earlier than.

Spider-Guy and Ghost Rider have been made playable for the primary time. What was once the idea that at the back of Spider-Guy’s design?

Sekine: Our aim with Spider-Guy was once to faithfully seize his defining characteristics whilst making him actually stress-free to play. We needed to make him simple to pick out up, reflecting his position because the “pleasant community” hero. We fine-tuned the best way he performs, and I sought after to verify we come with Spidey Sense*, which hasn’t ever seemed in a combating recreation earlier than.

*On this recreation, Spidey Sense permits Spider-Guy to evade assaults and throws whilst mechanically hanging again.

What about Ghost Rider?

Sekine: Ghost Rider’s standout mechanic is the “Vengeance Gauge,” designed to resemble a tachometer. When the gauge overheats, Ghost Rider turns into susceptible, but if it hits the purple zone, his skills develop more potent. The program encourages Ghost Rider — generally a long-range fighter — to transport in shut. Managing the gauge is difficult, however the exhilaration of getting into the purple zone completely captures his fiery spirit.

Reed: That more or less mechanic is strictly what makes Arc Machine Works stand out. Hurricane, which you discussed previous, additionally fights in tactics we’ve by no means noticed earlier than, which may be very thrilling.

How has the comments been from previous demos and the closed beta take a look at (CBT)?

Yamanaka: We’ve gained a large number of comments, and I didn’t be expecting it to be so overwhelmingly sure. After all, we additionally gained positive complaint, and we can use that to make significant enhancements.

Sekine: At EVO, the demo stations have been at all times packed, which spoke volumes about how cherished MARVEL is and confirmed how neatly this recreation is assembly the ones expectancies. The gamers’ pastime is what helps to keep us going.

Yamanaka: A father stood via as his children performed, their faces sparkling with giant smiles. As a writer, seeing folks benefit from the video games I labored on is profoundly rewarding.

Finally, do you will have any phrases for fanatics having a look ahead to the sport? Are there different main points you’d like them to search for?

Reed: I am hoping enjoying this recreation will develop into a beloved reminiscence for gamers. I nonetheless consider being deeply moved via combating video games when I used to be a child. We’ve poured a large number of love into this venture, and with the theme of “from Japan to the sector” in thoughts, we are hoping to succeed in fanatics all over the place the sector.

Yamanaka: We put substantial idea into the position of track in combating video games, so I’d love for gamers to concentrate on the soundtrack. Concentrate carefully to how the track shifts because the combat unfolds.

Sekine: The CBT proved that battles run easily on-line, and the degree designs are a spotlight in their very own proper. Our purpose is to give MARVEL in a brand new gentle whilst additionally evolving the team-based combating style. The sport is filled with hidden treasures, and we will be able to’t look ahead to gamers to find them.