TEKKEN 8 Review

A series with a rich lineage (30 years strong!), players can get ready for the next battle with the release of Arika and Bandai Namco’s TEKKEN 8. New characters, new modes, and a new engine power this King of Iron Fist Tournament – does it prove to be a worthy contender?

TEKKEN 8 Review

Striving for accessibility, TEKKEN 8 is the perfect entry for both newcomers and veterans alike.

Never played a TEKKEN title before? No need to worry – there is an extremely solid foundation that lets players gradually get the hang of things. For those who don’t play fighting games too often, the Special Style mechanic will quickly become your best friend. Boiling the system and combos down to a few select buttons, it gives players the chance to grasp the overall flow of this 3D fighter, seeing how juggles, combos, and counters all come together. For those who’d like to try out the main system, it can just as easily be disabled at the press of a button.

Want to up your game? No need to worry – there’s a wealth of content here that’ll get you up to speed. The industry standard Replays, training, versus, story mode, arcade modes, and Character Episodes are all present and accounted for, but they are tried and true for a reason and will be most welcome for those still starting out in the fighting game genre. There’s even fun content like Tekken Ball, which has players bouncing a beach ball (or an iron ball for the masochistic) in what could possibly be the most violent game of volleyball to date.

Rather, the real star of the show for neophytes is TEKKEN 8’s new Arcade Quest mode. For those who can’t make it to Dave & Busters or Round 1, this mode simulates the arcade experience and serves as a battleground. No need to worry about a daunting atmosphere; after creating a cutesy avatar, players can set off to improve their skills. It’s a very gradual process, but we do appreciate the presentation and system present here – and we’re sure newcomers will appreciate it as well.

Let’s say you’ve been playing TEKKEN since 1994, knowing the difference between Lee and Law, Jin and Jun. TEKKEN 8 covers this oh-so-important demographic with a number of new wrinkles that differentiate this title from the rest of the pack. The three newcomers – Victor Chevalier, Azucena Milagros Ortiz Castillo, and Reina – bring a number of subtleties that let players use samurai swords, caffeinated mixed martial arts grabs, and other radical moves.

There’s also a number of returning characters in its roster, with many fan favorites and deeper cuts in the mix. Not everybody made the cut – we’re still languishing the removal of Robert “Bob” Richards – but players will likely find somebody they click with among its 30+ character roster.

With TEKKEN 8’s focus on aggressiveness, the focus is less on a game of chicken and more on a game of action. For instance, those that pull off a Power Blow will be able to briefly stagger an opponent and rush through – a thrilling feeling that never gets old!

There’s also Rage Arts super moves that kick in when one’s health gets low; while returning from TEKKEN 7, they are far more streamlined and quicker this go-around, making us want to actively go on the offensive when the chips are down.

Perhaps the biggest draw for those looking to up their game is TEKKEN 8’s online modes. An improvement over TEKKEN 7, we enjoyed chilling in the TEKKEN Fight Lounge online lobby, taking part in both Ranked and Quick Matches. There are ways to filter by rank restrictions, connection quality, and even platform, so those looking to optimize their experience can most certainly do so.

TEKKEN 8 hits hard with what could quite possibly be the best TEKKEN entry to date. Fresher than newcomer Azucena’s signature coffee blend, this title does everything in its power to make this King of Iron Fist tournament worthy of all players.

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