Review of Tekken 8
I can clearly recall my first gameplay experience with Tekken 3, when I chose Jin and instantly became enamored with the fighting game genre and the series. Nearly 20 years have passed since then, and Tekken 8 is set to wrap up one of the longest-running narratives in the franchise when it launches on the next platform generation.
However, does Tekken 8 manage to differentiate itself from the others, or do its recently introduced mechanics seem like a lost opportunity?
The Greatest Main Story of Tekken to Date
The Dark Awakens, the game's Main Story Mode, is where we start. I am happy to report that the main plot of Tekken 8 surpasses both of its predecessors in every way. Fans are treated to an equally extravagant but far more skillfully crafted storyline that manages to deliver a concise experience that, when combined with the amazing presentation and the excellent soundtrack we have all come to expect from Tekken, can occasionally send shivers down your spine. After the chaotic mess that was the main scenario campaign of Tekken 7, the idea of having Akuma canonically join the story even left the drawing board.
Some of the finest combat moments in the series are also included in the tale, and they strongly reminded me of those in Tekken: Blood Vengeance. To be honest, I'm overjoyed that Tekken has finally gone full Dragon Ball.
The tale seemed hurried in most places, despite the fact that it gives certain of its characters—Jin, Kazuya, and Lars in particular—strong character arcs. Because of this, several of the mid-story scenes seemed a little forced, particularly the ones with the newer characters, considering how little they had interacted before. The fact that certain characters were almost ignored while others were reduced to needless comedic relief was also rather frustrating. The fact that a plot requires a bit more buildup to really take off is something I believe creators should keep in mind when planning the potential future Tekken game.
The Best Defense Is a Good Offense
With the conclusion of the game's tale, fighting is now the primary course. Since Tekken 8 introduces the new Heat System concept and the ability to deliver chip damage, aggressiveness is the order of the day. Similar to Rage, when under Heat, players may unleash new combinations and fashionable strikes. The game's emphasis on pushing and controlling the speed of the fight is further divided by this, along with the addition of the ability for players to instantly restore portions of their health by executing certain combinations.
Even if they seem a bit drastic on paper, I don't think the adjustments severely affected the game's vibe. As an alternative, they offered a breath of fresh air and a new motivation for those who want to become experts in situational movements and defensive techniques. In addition, Tekken 8 offers the option for more casual players to toggle on Special Style by pressing L1/LB. Once the capability is operational, basic inputs will allow you to execute preset combinations and signature moves.
Tekken 8 has a massive starting pool of 32 characters, most of them have very different playstyles, in typical Tekken fashion. In addition, the game has more customization capabilities than its predecessor, allowing users to create a broad range of unapproved crossovers and, in some circumstances, some very awful creations.
An Additional Level of Practice
The foundation of every fighting game, like any martial art, is the idea that you can only fully comprehend a character's foundations and style by practice. With an emphasis on that, Tekken 8 offers one of the most comprehensive practice modes I've ever seen in addition to a much more comprehensive playback system that lets you retake parts of battles.
In addition, a brand-new mode dubbed Super Ghost Battle made its debut in the game, letting players battle AI characters that react to information gleaned from their playstyle and the playstyles of other chosen players. It goes without saying that the style was the star of the show and redefined the genre. As a longtime fan who is not very good at it, utilizing it let me see the weaknesses in my own play, learn how to counter certain techniques in actual fight situations, and get free practice against players with high rankings.
Arcade Quest, Ranked, and a Pleasant Comeback
The reintroduction of Tekken 8's traditional Ranked mode, where players compete to become the best and win the coveted title of God of Destruction, is the game's major draw for most players. Additionally, you may participate in unranked matches by accessing the Tekken Fight Lounge or the menu. As the primary gathering place for the game, the lounge allows users to create avatars and communicate with one another. For me, the Fighting Lounge was a tremendous advantage, even if it may not have been significant to others. In addition to enabling more intimate player interaction, the mode manages to infuse the game with a little of that classic, all-time favorite arcade atmosphere.
Following that is Arcade Quest, or as I like to refer to it, Tekken 8 101, which serves as an introduction to the lounge. The game's unimpressive single-player experience and its introduction to some of its most important concepts and ranking system make up this mode.
Aside from the Story Mode, Tekken 8 offers players who want to play largely offline the return of the regular Arcade Mode seen in the majority of the genre's games. Every one of the 32 playable characters in the game has a Character Episode available for those who want a more in-depth look at their favorite characters. As usual, you may engage in 1v1 couch co-op matches with buddies. Although the game's Versus option provides about everything you might desire in a typical couch co-op setting, I can't help but bemoan the absence of the 8v8 option that was a mainstay of previous Tekken titles.
The beloved Tekken Ball mode, which can be played online, alone, or in casual co-op, is also returning in Tekken 8. In essence, Tekken Ball aims to reduce your opponent's health by striking them with a beach ball, much as in Tekken 3 and Tekken Tag Tournament 2. The mode isn't very appealing, but it's still a fun way to bring back fond memories and a clever method to get people who don't usually play fighting games to join you in Tekken.
The Conclusion
With an exceptionally well-polished fighting system, stunning visuals, a surprisingly well-crafted narrative mode, a few unique elements, and a ground-breaking new game mode, Tekken 8 provides the complete Tekken experience by going above and beyond.