Tekken 8
REVIEW: TEKKEN 8
has taken the series to new heights with breathtaking next-gen visuals
and a deservingly higher budget than its wildly successful predecessor, TEKKEN 7.
In addition to upgraded visuals harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 5, TEKKEN 8 features a fully
immersive story mode blending action with cinematics in addition to a plethora
of superbly designed modes and features. Of course, returning
fan-favorite fighters will receive a ton of upgrades, new moves, insane new
combo possibilities, and more personality than they've ever shown before. Also, TEKKEN 8
is the first game in the entire series to
launch first on consoles! What a time to be alive...
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A
brilliant fighting game starts with a brilliant roster. 10/10
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Character facial expressions and voiceovers have been completely
redone in TEKKEN 8, providing a truly next-gen level of polish and detail unrivaled
by any prequel. In addition to a TON of new moves for returning characters, a variety of classic attacks have also been reworked, with
many new and retouched animations, and brilliantly retooled to compliment TEKKEN 8's new Heat system. A
variety of new stages, including "wide open" stages with walls, are
not only visually impressive but give TEKKEN 8 a fresh feel and
experience. Wall Breaks and Floor Breaks return in TEKKEN 8's new
battlegrounds, featuring awesomely cinematic stage
transitions and new ways to incorporate the stages into combos and strategy.
"Aggressiveness"
is a key word used to describe TEKKEN 8's updated pace and gameplay
system. While core aspects of tried-and-true 3D game engine and moveset nuances
from TEKKEN
7 remain, TEKKEN 8's all new system mechanics are designed to
make the game fun and immersive to watch as well as compete in for all levels of
players. TEKKEN 8 introduces a new
gameplay system called "Heat" — promoting aggressiveness and
offense in a variety of new ways. When characters activate Heat, they have
access to new special techniques as well as powered-up versions of their
trademark attacks. Techniques like Heat Smash and Heat Rush can be
used to apply tremendous pressure on the opponent and extend combos with
explosive damage and style.
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Vibrant
new arenas and exciting, fleshed-out character designs.
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TEKKEN 8 feels spectacular and is satisfyingly FAST-PACED. As someone who generally feels "less is more" when it comes to
changing major things about TEKKEN's gameplay, the Heat System eventually
sold me on
its compelling depth and what it adds to each character. Returning characters are
easily the most
exciting, charismatic, and flashiest versions of themselves to date... so that's a win from
the start. Thankfully, the huge movesets we've come to love and expect from
TEKKEN are back and better than ever (and each character has a TON of new moves and combo routes to
master). Pro Tip: DO NOT limit yourself to spamming 10-20 of a character's
moves in TEKKEN. That's not how this game works. Learn each character's full
moveset (and practice defending against characters' full movesets). Sure, it
might feel like a lot of work to some... but winning is more fun than losing.
You'll thank me later.
I've never seen a 3D fighting game series evolve character movesets so
brilliantly and beautifully. It's a risky business changing the characters
"too much"... as such changes can really hinder a dedicated player's
enjoyment of using that character (or perhaps their enjoyment of the entire game
if they only use one or two characters). I've never seen a fighting game retool
returning characters' moves so well. In addition to a plethora of new moves and
stances per character, each moveset is like a "greatest hits" version
with many classic moves returning and retooled. This, alone, is fan service.
This is brilliant game design on many levels. Early on, some hardcore players
might feel that aspects of movesets or mechanics have been
"simplified" in T8... but simplified definitely seems like the
wrong word. To put it clearly: T8's vast movesets manage to be more
dynamic and exciting than ever, all while "simplifying" certain
commands to make it easier for the player. Multi-hit strings and combos are not
only easier to perform technically on a controller or fightstick, but easier to
remember (due to the streamlined commands)! That makes using multiple characters
in T8 easier than ever... and that's actually really great news for all
levels of Tekken players. Again, brilliantly designed smart changes.
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Stellar
character animations, movesets, and room for player expression.
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TEKKEN 8's innovative "TEKKEN Lounge" online lobby and reworked
Ghost AI system are incredibly exciting new elements that take
the series to a new technological and social level. Now that we live in a world
where crossplay is standard in fighting games, it's faster and easier than
ever to meet up with friends in a TEKKEN Lounge lobby no matter what platform
they're on.
The Ghost system is also very interesting.
Being able to fight anyone's ghost character(s) —
which actually behave like them
offensively and defensively — is a hugely innovative step in the fighting game
genre.
You can even fight your own ghost and learn how to improve various aspects of
your play-style. This is next
level. With robust training options and in-game frame data, hardcore players can
rejoice. TEKKEN 8
makes it easier than ever to "get good" (or at least get better).
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Tekken
8 shines with insane particle effects using Unreal engine 5.
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TEKKEN 8's Arcade Quest
is catered to beginners and new players, offering a light-hearted presentation
and approach, yet a fun and replayable experience for a player of any age or experience
level. This mode gets you acquainted with your player avatar and inspires you to
customize their appearance, as you'll meet other avatars representing players
who specialize in certain characters. Interestingly, each opponent in Arcade
Quest uses a particular character and has a distinguishable play-style (in
addition to character customization), keeping the energy and experience fresh
throughout the entire mode. Arcade Quest also opens up Super Ghost Battle,
where you'll find the CPU Ghosts of players you previously fought against.
Thanks to the excellent CPU opponent AI, this is a fantastic offline mode to
hone your skills against specific match-ups that you want to replay (and new
ones to be had).
Arcade Quest is actually a really smart mode, because it teaches new players how
different TEKKEN players can be — even
when they're using the same character. Arcade Quest acts as a
"Tutorial" of sorts. As the player visits different themed arcades
(all beautifully designed with cool throwbacks to past arcade history and TEKKEN
games) to face new opponents, they'll constantly receive new tips shown on
screen to help them progress and understand the new mechanics —
all while unlocking new avatar gear, character / profile customizations, and
more. It's a non-stop action and fun single-player experience (something
fighting game fans have been begging for for decades). Cleverly, the Arcade
Quest experience and player avatar cohesively mesh right into TEKKEN 8's online
lobby, the TEKKEN Fight Lounge.
TEKKEN 8's
presentation is easily the best in the series to date, packed with feature-rich
modes that must be explored to be appreciated. There are so many new modes and so much to do!
The return of TEKKEN 3's
legendary TEKKEN Ball mode? I put 80+ hours into the game and haven't touched
TEKKEN Ball yet. There are numerous other modes I haven't touched yet, and that
says something. What a launch!
Customization mode, a series standard since TEKKEN
5, has been elevated in T8 with improved options, lots of new
stuff, and a much faster and friendlier user-experience over TEKKEN
7's. The Color Edit mode alone is the best-to-date, allowing players to change
layer upon layer (upwards of 15-20) for each and every default costume (all
superbly designed, by the way). Even better... Bandai Namco cleverly incorporated
many cool and useful user-created mods from TEKKEN 7 into TEKKEN 8!
Entertaining
"shared" outfits between related characters, excellent new hairstyle and facial hair
options, the best Color Edit Mode in a fighting game to date, and countless other user-friendly options that
modders themselves created for the PC version of TEKKEN 7, are now in TEKKEN 8 by default. That's
brilliant game design. Giving passionate fans what they want from the
start?
The absolutely kickin' soundtrack, all new character voiceovers, and the
relaxing Jukebox
mode (featuring 100s upon 100s of the best fighting game
tracks on Earth) is simply a dream come true and allows players to customize TEKKEN 8's audio
experience
to their liking. The tracks even smoothly transition into one another in various
modes. And similarly to the timeless SFIII: 3rd Strike, each stage in T8 has two
versions of each soundtrack. And man, there are some bangers. T8 has one
of my favorite soundtracks to date. Sound and music in a Fighting Game = worth
Something. (This review is still in progress.)
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Page Updated: |
August
1st, 2024
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Developer(s): |
Bandai
Namco |
Publisher(s): |
Bandai
Namco |
Designer(s): |
Katsuhiro
Harada
Chief
Producer
Michael Murray |
Artwork
By: |
Hiroaki,
Junny, Jbstyle, Wolf Marker |
Platform(s): |
PlayStation
5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
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Release Date(s): |
January
26th, 2024 |
Characters: |
Kazuya
Mishima, Jin Kazama, Jun
Kazama,
Azucena, Victor Chevalier,
Reina, Paul
Phoenix, Marshall
Law, King, Lars
Alexandersson, Jack-8, Nina
Williams, Ling Xiaoyu, Leroy
Smith, Asuka Kazama, Lili
Rochefort, Hwoarang, Bryan
Fury, Claudio Serafino, Raven,
Yoshimitsu, Steve
Fox, Leo Kliesen, Sergei
Dragunov, Kuma, Shaheen,
Feng Wei, Panda,
Lee Chaolan, Zafina,
Alisa Bosconovitch, Devil
Jin, Eddy Gordo, Azazel,
Lidia Sobieska, Heihachi
Mishima |
News
Links: |
July
2024: EVO 2024: Heihachi Mishima Revealed for TEKKEN 8
July
2024: TEKKEN 8 x Nike Collaboration Announced
July
2024: TEKKEN 8 x Chipotle Collaboration Announced |
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Featured Video:
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Related Games: |
TEKKEN
7, TEKKEN 7:
Fated Retribution, TEKKEN,
TEKKEN 2, TEKKEN 3,
TEKKEN 4, TEKKEN
5, TEKKEN 5: Dark Resurrection, TEKKEN:
Dark Resurrection, TEKKEN 5: Dark
Resurrection Online, TEKKEN 6, TEKKEN
6: Bloodline Rebellion, TEKKEN Tag Tournament,
TEKKEN
Tag Tournament 2, TEKKEN
Advance, TEKKEN Hybrid, TEKKEN
3D: Prime Edition, TEKKEN Revolution,
Dead or Alive 6, Street Fighter 6,
Soul Calibur 6, Mortal
Kombat 1, Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown |
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Gameplay
Engine
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10 / 10
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Story
/ Theme
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9.5 / 10
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Overall
Graphics
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9.5 / 10
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Animation
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9.5 / 10
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Music
/ Sound Effects
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10 / 10
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Innovation
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9.5 / 10
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Art Direction
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9.0 / 10
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Customization
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10 / 10
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Options / Extras
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10 / 10
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Intro / Presentation
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9.5 / 10
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Replayability / Fun
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10 / 10
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"Ouch" Factor
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10 / 10
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Characters
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10 / 10
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BOTTOM LINE
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10 /
10
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Review based on Steam version
(4K)
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Early
Review: |
TEKKEN 8
is a luxury fighting game. This artistic masterpiece of a game not only rewards dedicated
and pro players (in countless ways), but offers the most inviting, accessible,
and user-friendly TEKKEN experience for newcomers and casual players, to
date. The beautifully diverse roster, flashy movesets and deep character
updates, plethora of modes, excellent rollback-powered online, and outstanding "quality of
life" practice
options make TEKKEN 8 "THE Fighting Game" of 2024.
Following the record-breaking and incredibly successful run of TEKKEN 7,
Bandai Namco knocked another one clean out of the park... and it's not just a homerun, it's a grand slam. There's
just too much to love and too much to do in TEKKEN 8.
I'm deeply proud to be a competitive TEKKEN player and to have experienced the full
evolution of this legendary series, deeply attentive and invested in every
sequel, for decades. Even during times when it seemed like "many others" in the gaming
community were more stimulated elsewhere. I've stuck with it throughout the
years, and I know I'm not alone... because the success of TEKKEN
continues
to make my brain spin. It even brings a tear to my eye, it really does. It
brings me great joy to see this legendary series elevated to new heights. TEKKEN
8 goes above and beyond what's required for a great fighting game. It's
a game that raises the bar
in many areas.
The ones who know... know. Me? I've been a TEKKEN player for 3 decades.
It's an amazing feeling to see a game I love evolve to this new level. T8 subtly
yet proudly sprinkles in bits and pieces from EVERY SINGLE PREQUEL that came before it. The fan service
is off the charts (and only those who've studied every single sequel will get
every reference). You can tell that the developers truly enjoyed themselves while
making this game... a near-perfect fighting game not only for the fans and hardcore competitive players, but
for every fighting game player.
TEKKEN 8 is such an enthralling and addicting game that I have
no shame in admitting it's release has (and will continue to) greatly reduce the time I spend with all other
video games. Speaking of one game I'll (unfortunately) be playing less, I
believe
Street Fighter 6
deserves a 10/10 for its unparalleled innovation, awesome presentation, and
brilliant character evolutions... and I've enjoyed the hell out of SF6 over the past 7 months. However,
as a competitive player, I will (sadly) most definitely be shifting my focus to TEKKEN
8... another brilliantly designed one-of-a-kind fighting game worth getting
good at and
deserving of a 10/10. TEKKEN 8 packs an over-abundance of content
and more than a few reasons to play it for years.
Following the most successful
modern installment to date (TEKKEN 7), whose unprecedented competitive longevity broke all
kinds of records in the fighting game genre, TEKKEN
8 has huge shoes to fill. TEKKEN 8 brings the most
dramatic changes to the series in a very long time. The Heat
System alone shakes up the foundation of TEKKEN's core gameplay, offering
exciting and frantic new elements that make TEKKEN 8 feel and look
completely new for all players (not an easy task).
Honestly, I've been playing "good ass TEKKEN"
online with Rollback since
2011 (in TEKKEN Tag Tournament 2).
While imperfect, I always used a wired connection and enjoyed great online matches
with skilled players for the better part of a decade. As
advertised, TEKKEN 8's improved rollback netcode and UI takes the online
community to new heights. Including SF6 in this next comment, "I've been waiting for a fighting game online mode this good for a
very long
time." All this to say... I'm trying to finish up this review as fast as I can, so
I can go back to playing TEKKEN 8 online with friends.
As a fan who has been wholeheartedly enjoying the TEKKEN
series since the very very beginning —
ALL the way back when the original arcade cabinet / PS1 version was "new"... it's
practically indescribable for me to have experienced the epic and beautiful evolution of
TEKKEN's characters, gameplay mechanics, and overall vibe. The series has come such a
long way and in such dramatic fashion... and I feel so lucky to have been a
part of it, as a fan, content creator, and (most importantly) a passionate and dedicated player of this
particular series for
"most of my life".
We can all think of certain video games that have impacted our lives in one way or
another. Competing in countless TEKKEN tournaments since the TEKKEN
5 days, creating influential video content, and playing high-level TEKKEN
with friends (and random strangers online) is what I love. TEKKEN
is Life. TEKKEN has always
been one of my all-time favorite fighting games to play long-term, for various reasons. Bearing
witness to the game's growth in popularity in the competitive scene, along with the distinct and dramatic
evolution of the characters and gameplay systems, has been an absolute pleasure.
I will be playing TEKKEN 8 for a very long time. This is only the
beginning.
On the subject of the post-launch TEKKEN Shop update which added a
"Fight Pass" and new cosmetic content to the game (AKA
micro-transactions)... this does not surprise me one bit. Put yourselves in
Bamco's position. If my main competition was successfully using
micro-transactions for the better part of a decade (NetherRealm Studios
and Capcom, looking at you)... making plenty of money doing so... why wouldn't
Bandai Namco join the bandwagon add this to TEKKEN 8? What's the benefit
of them not doing it? To quote Raven, "it's just business".
Purchasing a Fight Pass or TEKKEN Shop cosmetic items isn't required at all to
enjoy the game. Besides, it's a great way to support Bandai Namco's continued
support of TEKKEN 8 into the future. Support games you like, people.
~TFG
Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen
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