Tekken 8 Review
Since its inception in 1994, Tekken has remained a staple in the realm of fighting games, blending intense, exaggerated action with a distinctively playful style. Three decades after its initial release, Tekken has consistently evolved, and Tekken 8 is a testament to this ongoing development. Created by Bandai Namco Studios and Arika, Tekken 8 offers a barrage of high-quality 3D fighting experiences, featuring engaging modes for all kinds of enthusiasts. It boasts a dedicated story mode, an “Arcade Quest” mode, enhanced online multiplayer, and an incredibly useful replay system, making Tekken 8 one of the standout entries in the franchise.
Divine Showdown In the Tekken narrative, the situation has escalated to an extreme level, with the conflict between Jin Kazama and his villainous father, Kazuya Mishima, reaching absurd heights. The story initially explodes into action, then settles into a familiar rhythm with a new King of the Iron Fist Tournament, but it soon descends into delightful madness.
Tekken 8’s Iron Fist Tournament Arena The Tekken 8 storyline spans over a dozen chapters, and halfway through, any semblance of realism is thrown out the window. Tekken, which once emphasized the authenticity of its combat, now fully embraces the eccentricity of anime-style storytelling. Despite its completely illogical plot, Tekken 8’s campaign was engaging enough to keep me hooked for around 3 to 4 hours, although it does feel somewhat stretched towards the end.
Tekken 8’s Akuma Character Episode Conclusion In the main campaign, players are given smart opportunities to control various fighters, but each character gets their moment in the spotlight in the Character Episodes mode. These brief, non-canonical narratives feature 5 battles and personalized ending scenes, often culminating in a quirky or comedic twist. While the quality of the episodes varies, overall, it’s a fun way to delve into additional stories while continuing to participate in intense combat.
More Intense, Quicker, Superior Tekken’s unique 3D fighting style has been honed over time, reaching near perfection in Tekken 7. In Tekken 8, not much has altered, but there’s a clear focus on increased aggression due to several new gameplay mechanics. Fighters can now trigger a “Heat” gauge once per round, providing several advantages for a limited time, and can be capped off with a special Heat move.
Tekken 8’s Lili vs Kazuya In a manner similar to the “Fatal Blow” system in recent Mortal Kombat games, Tekken 8 introduces a powerful “Rage Art” special move that can be used when health is low. These two mechanics together result in the familiar Tekken combat (including tornadoes that lead into air juggling), but it’s faster, more aggressive, and involves a greater element of risk and reward.
Tekken 8’s Ghost Battle Tekken 8 boasts an impressive lineup of characters, offering a diverse range of fighting styles. It includes several classic fighters like Paul, Law, and Kazuya, and new entrants Azucena, Reina, and Victor are all unexpectedly enjoyable to play. Azucena is an eccentric brawler with a love for coffee, while Reina utilizes her inner Mishima technique for powerful combos. Victor is the only new character that I have mixed feelings about, but the vast majority are thrilling to play as.
Arcade Royalty One of the standout new modes in Tekken 8 is “Arcade Quest”, where you customize a virtual avatar and journey through in-game arcades to become the ultimate Tekken champion. With chibi character models, enjoyable rankings, and personalized skins for each character, the mode is brimming with character.
Tekken 8’s Arcade Quest Mode Arcade Quest serves two functions; it simulates the experience of becoming a competitive Tekken player in the real world, and it’s also an excellent training ground to master new characters and prepare for online play. You can participate in tournaments, practice with different characters, and generally have a blast doing it. I found the concept and implementation of Arcade Quest very enjoyable, although I must admit that the associated “storyline” is somewhat lackluster.
To cut to the chase, the online play in Tekken 8 is delightful. Barring encounters with opponents with unstable connections, the online multiplayer offers everything you could desire from a competitive Tekken experience. You can organize player match lobbies, engage in ranked play, participate in quick matches, or even enjoy the much-loved Tekken Ball! All these features are accessible through menus or the “Tekken Player’s Lounge”, which serves as a basic online hub.
While it may seem trivial, the replay system in Tekken 8 is truly extraordinary. It not only provides expert advice and analysis on your replays, but also allows you to seamlessly transition into training mode from a specific replay to enhance your gameplay. The replay system is intricate, remarkable, and an incredibly effective training tool that deserves mention. Compared to most fighting games, where replay systems range from mediocre to excellent, Tekken 8’s is arguably the best I’ve encountered in a long while.
Tekken 8 consistently showcases its iconic 3D fighting formula in the most optimal manner, with stunning visuals, powerful audio, and a wealth of excellent content. New gameplay mechanics like the Heat gauge promote more assertive fighting, making matches thrilling and fast-paced. The roster of 32 fighters offers a wonderful blend of familiar and new faces, and each fighter is a pleasure to master, thanks to modes like Character Episodes and the replay system.
VERDICT
In essence, Tekken 8 represents the pinnacle of contemporary Tekken. It’s a pleasure to play, whether you’re a casual button masher or a seasoned air juggle expert. You can immerse yourself in a substantial amount of single-player story content, refine your skills with some truly impressive tools, or engage in online combat with a variety of multiplayer modes. If you’re a fan of the Tekken series or fighting games in general, Tekken 8 is a must-have for your collection.