New Tekken 8 Game Takes the Fighting Genre to a Whole New Level
Tekken 8 marks the return of the legendary series from Bandai Namco that, just like NetherRealm Studios did with Mortal Kombat 1, fully transitioned to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC to achieve a higher level of technical quality. This is evident in the graphic quality of Tekken 8, produced with Unreal Engine 5 and absolutely superb, making the explosive gameplay even more impressive.
Tekken 8 arrives 6 and a half years after the release of Tekken 7 on consoles and PC, as a way to refresh the series and position it for many more years of activity. With a fresh look, new characters, and an important new mechanic, Bandai Namco hopes to reaffirm the series’ position as one of the most exciting 3D fighting games. In short, I would say they succeeded because Tekken 8 is like riding a bike, but with a new and shiny bike, explosive speed, and tons of fun. Even if you’re not faced with anything really new in the experience itself, you still feel a huge sense of joy.
Heat System and Gameplay
Starting with gameplay because it is the most important element. Tekken 8 is probably the most impressive fighting game of all time in terms of graphics, with a cast of new characters that are a blast to discover, but the most crucial aspect is the gameplay. Tekken 8 was designed to provoke aggression, a greater focus on offensive posture, and that is noticeable with the new mechanics.
With 29 fighters returning from previous games, you have 3 new faces, and I would say Victor, Azucena, and Reina are the most intriguing in this Tekken 8 lineup. The 29 familiar faces come with adjustments and minor differences in their move sets, but they greatly reinforce the sense of familiarity in the experience. For many, this is a positive point, as you can pick a character you already know and explore the specifics of combining their combos with the new mechanics, but exploring the trio of newcomers was my greatest delight. With a focus on aggression, three new faces, the Heat system, and the combo extender called Tornado, Tekken 8 manages to position itself as a familiar experience for veterans, but with interesting novelties.
Story Mode
This gameplay will be used to triumph in various game modes, and if Tekken 8 is a game designed for the long term through its online component, Bandai Namco has created good single-player content, where you find this Story Mode. Bandai Namco presents you with a kind of totally crazy CG movie, it almost looks like the Fast & Furious series in Tekken version, fun to play and lasting about 4 hours.
The CG scenes alternate with the combat scenes, and the use of Unreal Engine 5 ensures phenomenal graphic quality. At many moments, there is even the sensation that the quality of the fights is superior to the CG scenes. In the midst of this 4-hour interactive movie, there is a very special chapter that pays homage to Tekken Force, but the gameplay needs improvements and leaves you with a bittersweet feeling, making you think that a full Tekken Force mode could exist in Tekken 8.
Character Quest
In addition to the “interactive movie” in Story Mode, where you fight with characters chosen by Bandai Namco (mainly Jin), you have the Character Quest, which is like the traditional and classic “Arcade Mode.” Here, you have 5 fights with the character you choose, and in the end, you have that spectacular final CG ending that you love so much in the Tekken series.
As usual in the series, the endings of Paul, Kuma, Law, and Bryan are truly crazy and even silly, to bring a smile to your face, but the endings of other characters are more serious and epic. Additionally, only in the Character Quest, after completing the Story, will you be able to find out the whole truth about Reina and who she really is.
In Tekken 7, as with previous games in the series, there is a greater depth to character customization. However, Bandai Namco has revealed a surprisingly limited component in this new game. Players have the ability to change the fighters’ hair and clothing, but the options are restricted. For example, you can only choose from a limited number of hair styles and cannot mix and match different pieces of clothing. This means that you cannot, for instance, wear a different jacket while keeping Jin’s original pants.
Despite these limitations, players can still create alternative and interesting versions of characters, such as Old Man Paul or Victor as Leon from Resident Evil 2 remake. While the customization options are unexpectedly limited, there are still some interesting choices available.
Graphic Quality
With Tekken 8 transitioning to Unreal Engine 5, the game boasts superb graphic quality. The visuals are stunning, with gameplay that surpasses many CG scenes found in Story mode. From visual effects and colors to character detail (which dynamically changes during fights), Tekken 8 sets a new standard for fighting games in terms of graphics.
The Story mode showcases this high quality, offering a cinematic experience that is further enhanced by the game’s beautiful locations and interactive elements. From the vibrant streets of Paris to dynamic details on the fighters themselves, Tekken 8 impresses with its attention to graphical detail.
Conclusion
Tekken 8 may initially feel like a familiar experience, but its phenomenal quality sets it apart from its predecessors. The new fighters, stunning graphics, engaging Story mode, and traditional Arcade mode all contribute to an enjoyable gaming experience. With a focus on community engagement in the 3D space, Tekken 8 promises a thrilling journey filled with fun and excitement.
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