If you’re a fan of fighting games, you’ve never had it so good as you do right now. The whole genre has had a real second wind over the past 12 months. Thanks, in part, to three major fighting franchises seeing new instalments released. And the last of this trio being Japanese developers Bandai Namco Studios and Arika’s Tekken 8. brings its more arcade combo-fuelled brand of brawling bang up to date.
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If you are keeping count, this is the eighth canon release in the series, and tenth overall entry to wear the Tekken name.
Tekken Tale
Odds are high you’ll head to the games story mode to get a taste of what is to come and you will not be disappointed. Titled ‘The Dark Awakens’, it takes place six months after the events of the past game.
The Dark Awakens focuses on the final confrontation, between father Kazuya Mishima and son Jin Kazama.
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The Dark Awakens is very much an over-the-top offering that takes the idea of a family feud to a whole new level. Jin aims to kill his father and end the chaos within their family lineage. Oh, and to make sure he’ll have no more family strife, he’s also going to try end the world.
It’s a solid tale, if a little melodramatic at times. But, Tekken 8 touches on some surprising subjects. Like redemption, atonement, guilt, and tackling your fears. However, the pacing of the tale is sometimes off, and I feel this is due to the size of the cast.
Tekken Roster
The game’s story features 32 characters. Each has their own narrative that contributes to the overall story. However, some tales take more of a back seat to others, or feel like they are dropped in to tick a box.
This all said, The Dark Awakens serves as a perfect showcase of what Tekken 8 is all about. Giving you a taste of its brand of fighting and a look at its very healthy line-up of fighters, before you get stuck into the more traditional fighting modes.
Tekken the Marduk
Fighting is buttery smooth with each character feeling different, but having an undercurrent that flows through the core design, along with a few new tweaks and improvements in the mix as well.
Like Rage Burst, Power Crush and Heat Smash. Powers which add extra layers to the rich tapestry of its systems and feeds into the more aggressive vibe to the game.
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The best place to learn a fighter is in Arcade Quest. This is an offline spin on what you can expect from the online side of the game. Where you rank up and fight evermore challenging battles, all while getting a better understanding of your fighter of choice and building strategies around their move set.
Down Online
Once you feel ready, you can take your skills online to really find out how good you are. Tekken 8 online is a very slick offering.
It takes the form of a chibi-filled arcade, that is broken into different areas. It’s fun to navigate but never gets in the way of your next fight. Where if you want a fight, all you have to do is run up to a cab and throw down a challenge. Or take a seat and wait for that challenge to find you.
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Tekken 8 online is where most fans will spend hours and where the next generation of bedroom bawlers will be forged. Dreams will be made and smashed in equal measures.
There is also a fun customisation system to go all the other fighting game modes, bells and whistles. Plus, ‘Tekken Ball’, the series’ unique spin on volleyball, gets its own playlist if you are looking for something easier going.
Fighting Fit
Visually,Tekken 8 is stunning. From the cinematic story mode, to the way the wind moves Paul’s scruffy hair. It’s gorgeous to just take in. And that’s before you get to the flashy special moves that fill arenas with blasts of colour and particle effects.
Sound is also very good in Tekken 8. There’s an energetic sound track, that gets you going before, and during, each scrap. Additionally, all of the characters sound the part. Extra points awarded for ‘The Dark Awakens’ seeing each fighter talking in their native tongue during cutscenes and the like.
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Tekken has always been seen as the series that is easy to play and hard to master. And this is something that Tekken always had over its fighting brothers. Tekken 8 is no different, delivering a fun time for casual players and a new challenge with true hidden depths for long-time fans and pros.
Tekken 8 is a hell of a return for a legendary series. And is a game that looks set to go more than just the distance on the revitalised fighting circuits.