Tekken 8brings with it a host of modes outside of the traditional arcade-style formula, offering not one, but two story modes. The main story campaign inTekken8is ‘The Dark Awakens’. Taking place six months after the events ofTekken 7, its story is a continuation of the seemingly never-ending brutal father-and-son feud between Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazuma.
Check out the Tekken 8 launch trailer below!
Kazuya’s quench for power reaches its peak inTekken 8,and now he wants to rule the world in his devilish image. Naturally, Kazuya organises ‘The King of Iron Fist Tournament’. Depending on how each national representative performs in the tournament will determine the hierarchy in Kazuya’s new world. However, something tells me that Kazuya has an alternate motive and his son, Jin, aims to stop his father’s diabolical urge for world domination once and for all, but he may have to call upon a few friends to see it through.
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Bandai Namco
Outside of the two main story modes we have ‘Character Episodes’ which is kind of like a short-burst arcade mode rewarding the player with some entertaining back story and still-art images that are a lot more fun than they sound. Furthermore, there is also a traditional arcade mode with ‘Arcade Quest’, essentially a survival gauntlet. ‘Super Ghost Battle’ is a mode in which you battle against your AI. The more you battle against it, the tougher it will eventually become to defeat as it will learn your every move. This mode sounds more interesting than it actually is and I doubt it’s something I’ll likely revisit anytime soon.
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Bandai Namco
So how does the actual moment-to-moment fighting inTekken 8fare? Simply put, it feels sublime. I’ve been a fan of Tekken since the very beginning and while I enjoyedTekken 7, I couldn’t quite click with its gameplay as I struggled with its fluidity. Thankfully, that is not a problem withTekken 8. The combat is so smooth and easy to pick up, that you’ll be feeling like a Tekken pro within minutes and it feels like it’s constantly pushing players on the attack over defensive tactics, which I rather enjoy. For the most part, I prefer the 2D fighters likeStreet Fighter 6andMortal Kombat 1, but back in the day, I loved games like Tekken and Soulcalibur. Yet, not since 2002’sSoulcalibur IIhave I enjoyed a 3D fighting game as much asTekken 8, it feels satisfying to play that your ‘one more match’ can last hours.
Bandai Namco
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Two new mechanics introduced inTekken 8are the Heat and Rage systems. At any point in a fight, you can trigger your Heat and use it to unleash devastating combos for heavy damage on your opponent or you can use it as a defence mechanism which will give you a small health boost every time an opponent hits an attack while in a defensive Heat state. Keep in mind though, that your Heat can only be used once per round. As for the Rage system, this can be triggered when a player is on the verge of defeat, much like the Fatal Blow inMortal Kombat 1potentially turning the tide of the battle in dramatic fashion
Tekken 8is the most satisfying and fun 3D fighting game that I’ve played in years. Aside from its five to six-hour ‘The Dark Awakens’ campaign, there’s so much more fun to be had with the latest entry in the iconic arcade series from Bandai Namco whether it’s fine-tuning your skills locally against AI or friends, or daring to take on other players worldwide. 2023 blessed us with two of the best fighting games in years withStreet Fighter 6andMortal Kombat 1, nowTekken 8claims its rightful spot amongst the elite of its genre as it ushers in new contenders for its prestigious King of Iron Fist Tournament.
Pros:Super smooth gameplay, stunning visuals, fun and rewarding modes
Cons:Pre-rendered cutscenes let the real-time cutscenes down, a little
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Fans of:Tekken 7, Soulcalibur, Dead or Alive
9/10: Exceptional
Topics:Bandai Namco,Tekken,PC,PlayStation,PlayStation 5,Xbox,Xbox Series S,Xbox Series X
