Arc System Works heads to EVO Nice with Marvel Tōkon, Strive, and HxH — here’s the real draw

Why ArcSys at EVO Nice Actually Matters

Arc System Works is planting a flag at EVO Nice 2025 (Oct 10-12) with a booth at the Palais des Expositions, and it’s not just another show floor pit stop. Hands-on with MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls (targeting 2026), stations for Guilty Gear -Strive-, and Hunter x Hunter NEN x IMPACT featuring freshly announced DLC Neferpitou-that’s a smart cross-section of where ArcSys is headed: prestige IP, a live-service anchor, and a fan-favorite anime fighter still finding its competitive identity. This caught my attention because ArcSys historically turns EVO showings into signal flares for what comes next.

Key Takeaways

• Marvel Tōkon being playable tells us ArcSys wants feedback early on a high-pressure license.
• Guilty Gear -Strive- remains the competitive baseline-expect long lines and sharp builds.
• Hunter x Hunter’s Neferpitou DLC is the right kind of hype: a top-tier series villain with setplay potential.
• ArcSys will post the booth activity schedule on their social channels-watch for timed demos and mini-events.

Breaking Down the Booth: What You Can Actually Play

First, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. We don’t have a blow-by-blow system breakdown yet, but the fact it’s playable in 2025 for a 2026 release says ArcSys is confident enough to let the FGC kick the tires. The obvious question: is this a team fighter evoking the Marvel vs. Capcom legacy, or a tighter one-on-one with ArcSys’ modern pacing? If it trends toward the latter, expect something closer to the clarity and readability of Strive but draped in comic-book swagger. What I’ll be looking for on the floor: snapback or tag-style pressure, assist or follow-up call systems, and whether ArcSys’ signature wall mechanics show up in any form. If they keep it grounded and clean, the online spectator experience could be stellar—huge for long-term esports legs.

Guilty Gear -Strive- needs no intro at this point. It’s still one of the most watchable fighters out there and the de facto ArcSys entry point for a lot of players. The booth stations are a chance to feel current balance on good setups and test character comfort if you’ve been away since the last patch. I expect ArcSys staff to be gauging casual-to-competitive conversion—how quickly a new player can get from “Roman Cancel confusion” to coherent offense. If you’re already a Strive lifer, use the time to lab niche punishes you can’t replicate at home due to setup constraints.

Hunter x Hunter NEN x IMPACT comes with a crowd-pleasing hook: Neferpitou as newly announced DLC. It’s an easy win for hype, but the real value is whether Pitou adds a fresh archetype. If ArcSys leans into their canon abilities—surgical “Doctor Blythe” utility and puppet-like control—expect setplay that forces scramble decisions and resource traps. My bet? A stance or install that flips between support and rushdown, with conditioning tools that punish mashers. If you test Pitou at the booth, pay attention to wake-up pressure routes and how safe their kit feels after blocked specials; that’s your early tell for tier trajectory.

The Real Story: ArcSys, Marvel, and Expectations

ArcSys taking on a Marvel-licensed fighter is a big swing with baggage—in a good way. The Marvel name immediately invites comparisons to Marvel vs. Capcom, one of the most beloved chaos engines in fighting game history. But ArcSys’ recent design philosophy favors visual clarity, strong netcode, and match flow that’s exciting without devolving into spaghetti every round. If Tōkon pursues that path, it could carve its own identity instead of chasing MvC nostalgia. That said, anything with “Marvel” on the box needs a roster that feels iconic and a systems layer that lets creative players pop off. EVO Nice is where we start to see if the moment-to-moment gameplay leaves room for that creativity.

Netcode and crossplay questions will matter more than whatever stage they bring to the demo. Strive set the standard for ArcSys with rollback and solid crossplay; players will expect the same baseline for both Tōkon and NEN x IMPACT. You won’t feel netcode on a convention setup, so ask reps directly. If they dodge, that’s a red flag. If they commit, that’s a green light for long-term community support.

What Gamers Need to Know (and Do) on the Show Floor

Lines will be brutal for Marvel Tōkon—hit the booth early or during big main-stage matches when traffic dips. Expect provided hardware at stations; bring your muscle memory, not your stick. If you only have time for one demo, prioritize the game you can’t play at home yet (Tōkon), then swing back for Pitou in NEN x IMPACT if queues allow. For Strive, treat it as lab time: confirm new frametraps, check jump arc changes, and stress-test your anti-airs against real humans.

ArcSys says the booth activity schedule will be posted on their social channels, which usually means timed challenges, mini-tournaments, or show matches. Those are prime moments to catch high-skill play that reveals systems faster than casual queues can. If you’re recording, focus on neutral interactions (how players earn turns) and post-hit advantage; those clips will tell you more about a game’s health than a flashy super ever will.

Finally, don’t be shy about feedback. ArcSys has a track record of iterating between showings—DBFZ and Strive both benefited from early community signal. If Marvel Tōkon has readability issues or NEN x IMPACT’s UI gets noisy during Nen activations, say it. The booth is the best place to make that noise heard.

TL;DR

ArcSys is bringing a meaningful slate to EVO Nice: a first real taste of MARVEL Tōkon, a steady Strive showcase, and Hunter x Hunter heat with Neferpitou. Watch for system clarity, ask about rollback and crossplay, and time your lines around the booth’s posted schedule. This isn’t just sizzle—there’s real signal here for where ArcSys is pointing the genre next.