Pow, right in the beta

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls' pre-launch open beta has opened its doors today, July 24th. It's set to run until July 27th, so offers a chance to end your week with some superhero graps prior to the game's full launch early next month. Meanwhile, Arc System Works have revealed the first fighter set to arrive as part of Fighting Souls year one batch of post-launch DLC in autumn. It's Phoenix Cyclops.

July 24th 8AM BST / 12AM PT / 3AM ET until July 26th at 11:59PM PT and July 27th at 7:59AM BST / 2:59AM ET are the start and end times for the 72 hour-long beta, as outlined by Arc System Works on Steam. You don't need to register or have a PlayStation Plus subscription to play the beta, however, you will need an internet connection and a PlayStation account. The latter's been a talking point in the run up the game's release, since it's most likely behind the lengthy list of countries the Steam version of it isn't available to buy in.

If you do delve into the beta, you can expect scraps across six locations featuring 15 of the 20 fighters that'll be on offer at launch, including the likes of Blade, Iron Man, Black Panther, and Magneto. There's also the option to chill in the open lobby, start off with a training fight to ensure you've gotten to grips with the controls, and play the three first chapters of the narrative-driven Episode Mode's Amazing Guardians storyline.

Alongside the beta's launch, Arc System Works have revealed the first new fighter set to arrive in Fighting Souls post-launch via DLC. Phoenix Cyclops is one of four characters coming with a new stage as part of the 'year one' crop of additions penned in for autumn, that's fall if you're from across the Atlantic, this year.

"This version of Cyclops draws inspiration from his Phoenix Five incarnation from Avengers vs. X-Men, sporting a bold new look infused with the fiery cosmic power of the Phoenix Force," Arc System Works producer Takeshi Yamanaka wrote of the fighter. "In addition to powerful Optic Blasts and exceptional hand-to-hand combat abilities that define the character, this Cyclops also possesses the Phoenix Force, so expect Scott Summers to bring the heat!"

You can grab the beta via Fighting Souls' Steam page by pressing the big green download button.