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Tekken, after a nine-year hiatus, returns with Tekken 8, launching a powerful offensive against competitors like Street Fighter VI, Guilty Gear Strive, and King of Fighters XV. Released in January 2024, with a Season 1 DLC package already announced, Tekken 8 arrives at a time when rival developers may be experiencing some post-release fatigue. This raises the question: does Tekken 8 live up to the hype?

Tekken 8 Key Art

An Aggressive Offense

The Tekken series is renowned for its aggressive gameplay. Unlike the free-flowing combat of Guilty Gear, the strategic depth of Street Fighter, or the chaotic combos of King of Fighters, Tekken emphasizes relentless offense. Tekken 8 embraces this tradition, expanding and refining it further. While the core gameplay remains familiar to Tekken 7 veterans, the introduction of the Heat system replaces the Rage mechanic, marking a significant shift in the series’ combat dynamics.

The Heat System

The Heat system isn’t just about increased damage output; it fundamentally alters character abilities. Jun Kazama, for example, transforms into a rush-down powerhouse with Heat activated, while Jin’s attacks gain altered properties, becoming easier to combo or even unblockable. Activating Heat is a strategic decision, empowering characters for a minimum of 10 seconds, extendable by landing hits and knockdowns. This encourages constant pressure on the opponent, adding another layer of decision-making to the already intense combat.

Tekken 8 Heat Activation

When facing an opponent with activated Heat, players have three primary options: activate their own Heat to counter, adopt a defensive posture, or increase offensive pressure to overwhelm the opponent before they can capitalize. Each character’s unique properties influence these tactical decisions, creating remarkable depth in the gameplay. Mastering your own character’s moveset and understanding your opponent’s are just the first steps towards becoming the King of Iron Fist.

Tekken 8 Mid-Combat

The inclusion of Heat Engager moves further enhances the strategic element, allowing characters to activate Heat during specific attacks, potentially leading to devastating combos. Understanding these nuances, both for your own character and the entire roster, is crucial for success.

A Diverse Roster

Tekken 8 boasts a substantial launch roster of 32 characters, each representing diverse fighting styles. Alongside familiar faces are newcomers like Victor Chevalier, Reina, and Azucena. Victor, a versatile weapon-wielding assassin, and Reina, inspired by Heihachi Mishima, offer fresh and exciting gameplay options. Reina, in particular, presents a compelling alternative to established characters like Jin and Kazuya, blending Mishima-style power with Taido techniques.

Tekken 8 Character Select

High Replay Value

Beyond its core online competitive mode, Tekken 8 offers substantial single-player content. The story mode, presented cinematically, effectively introduces the world of Tekken to newcomers while also engaging veteran players. Arcade Quest provides a lighthearted, accessible mode where players navigate a virtual arcade world, learning the game’s mechanics and earning in-game currency to customize their characters. This serves as an engaging tutorial disguised as a unique game mode. The comprehensive Training mode further demonstrates the developer’s commitment to accessibility, offering detailed information and practice scenarios for players of all skill levels.

Tekken 8 Combo Execution

Room for Improvement

Despite its strengths, Tekken 8 has some shortcomings. While iconic characters like Jin, Kazuya, King, and Lee retain their distinct identities, many others feel less memorable, potentially blending together for those unfamiliar with the series. The character designs, while visually impressive, don’t always effectively communicate their fighting styles. The Heat system, while innovative, also raises balancing concerns, with some characters feeling overly reliant on its activation to reach their full potential.

Tekken 8 Character Close-up

Conclusion

Tekken 8 delivers a powerful and engaging fighting game experience. The Heat system adds a dynamic new layer to the combat, while robust single-player content ensures high replay value. Although character differentiation and balance could be improved, Tekken 8 successfully reclaims its place among the fighting game elite. With its focus on aggressive gameplay and deep mechanics, Tekken 8 is a must-have for fighting game enthusiasts.