Tekken 8
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The marvelously swashbuckler reality ofTekkenis primed for the next generation , andScreen Rantwent hands - on with the newest incarnation of the King of Iron Fist tourney for this prevue . Arriving almost seven long time after the last installment , Tekken 8sees the historical 1 - v-1 fighter series running swimmingly on Unreal Engine 5 and adulterate with subject matter for patient fans . Its key signature weighty gameplay feel responsive and exact , and an increase emphasis on tutorial mechanics makes the biz feel more welcoming to newcomers than ever .
Tekken ’s last outing hit abode console and PC back in 2017 , whenTekken 7introduced its own fresh features to the franchise and expanded on the gonzo narration ; in a presentation withScreen Rant , manufacturer Michael Murray reflect on the series’Guinness World Recordsacknowledgment as the " longest - running video game storyline , " now approaching its 30 - year day of remembrance with no reboots . Screen Rantwas able to try out the first few story chapter ofTekken 8at a preview case in Los Angeles , with the story focalise on Kazuya ’s Logos Jin Kazama , a keyTekkenprotagonist since the late 90s .
Two of the developers behind the forthcoming Tekken 8 share their thoughts on the biz ’s new mechanics , Arcade Mode , and what will surprise players .
We pass approximately three minute withTekken 8 , which included a sample of Arcade Quest , a newfangled mode which frames the game ’s on-line functionality as an interactive social lobby , consummate with its own bespoke narration . As with the previous installing , Tekken 8features different game mode , purchasable cosmetic for individual fighters , interactive stage gimmicks like destructible floor , and a dynamite soundtrack , include new rendition of former favorites . And yes , Tekken Ball wee its return here , and can even be played online this clock time .
Devil Genes and Weird Machines
SummarizingTekken ’s multigame lore is bootless by this point , but freshman should gestate a creatively saucy stew of apocalyptic prophecy , mad science , external incarnate intrigue , and emotional family line drama . By the start ofTekken 8 , Kazuya Mishima reigns as the head of both the Mishima Zaibatsu and G Corporation , war megacorps that have devastated the planet in servicing of a long - run transmitted feud ( and , somehow , save the public ) . Kazuya Mishima ’s “ devil gene ” was exposed to the world after the events of the previous game , and his son Jin Kazama has sic his sights on taking earnest previous papa out of the picture .
Of naturally , this beingTekken , it ’s the perfect clock time to roll out the King of Iron Fist tourney ; even amid global pandemonium and devastation , the vernacular people stay on appeased by fierce bread and circuses . With Jin contending with other fighters and his mystical evil interiority in adequate measure and Kazuya ’s truest goals still obscured , Tekken 8presents another elevated spark framed by massive band pieces , funny relief , and last - minute rescues , interspersed with 1 - v-1 bust in showy surroundings .
highlighting of the first chapter ofTekken 8 ’s story mode include Jin blast Kazuya through every floor of an office edifice from the top down , hook peeks of raw fighter outfit during tournament brackets , and the right introduction of new characters like Reina , who attended Jin ’s former eminent shoal . Kazuya leave an explosive picture where he lasers down every military orbiter as some severe commentary on humanness ’s overreliance on knock-down weapons , then denote the King of Iron Fist tourney in full devil form , which could be a series first .
Why would humanity fill area can at the call of its outstanding villain ? Will Jin get his devil gene groove back in time to get ahead the tourney , or can he come through without it ? Where ’s Heihachi in all this , in a franchise where “ dead ” is never rightfully dead ? The first chapters , as expect , raise more idiotic head than result , butTekken ’s signature storytelling is elicit on all cylinder , and the inclination to constantly one - up the interest with an out - of - left - force field story beat – often folded into playable matches – is on full display , though we only nonplus to play a mere fraction of the accomplished story .
“We Have Arcades at Home”
In an interesting twist , Tekken 8features two broader narratives – inclusive of the individual character episodes , which were not made available to try out in this prevue – with the 2nd story a gentler slice - of - life sentence tale about a budding newcomer on the arcade fighting game prospect . Here , players design their own unparalleled avatar and locomotion to several dissimilar arcades around the world , competing in one - offTekken 8matches and bracketed tourneys , work up up to a championship to dethrone a cocky arcade jockey .
The styling of the Arcade Quest modality is also how Bandai Namco mean for players to sniff out existent on-line matchups in the Tekken Fight Lounge , hold their incarnation with any selected accessories and cosmetics . The theme calls back to the prosperous Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of actual - life story arcades , and the Arcade Quest story features supportiveTekkenplayers eager to learn the various biz mechanics over time .
Does that make it good than a simplify menu for online play ? That is n’t quite clear , and we were n’t able to test online functionality in the trailer or experience the madness of a player lobby visualized as a mass ofTekkenavatars jostling for next game . In certain way , Arcade Quest feels like a pared - down counterpart toStreet Fighter 6 ’s large-minded World Tour style , with geographic expedition and dialog adding colour to the experience and every NPC a attached mega - rooter of the secret plan in query .
It also seems like players are expected to play through the story modes , hit a challenge wall , then swap over to Arcade Quest to bone up onTekken ’s basics . The design serves tutorials , publicity , a public anteroom search , and a single - histrion story all wind into one . The single - player portion features flying - loading matches with Greco-Roman ( sadly unplayable ) Namco colonnade secret plan run on cabinet in the screen background .
Rage and Heat
play through the small sample ofTekken 8 ’s story mode and Arcade Quest run to matches which did sense jolly quicker than those inTekken 7 . Maybe that ’s a result of the plot ’s Heat Mode , which utilizes a special bar accessible from the start of a peer and bears some obvious comparison toStreet Fighter 6 ’s Drive Gauge .
Tekken 8 ’s Heat lets players initiate an overcharged fighting vogue which is high - risk of exposure and high-pitched reward , creating scuttle for brutal damage during activation , particular attacks that deplete chunks of the meter , and a extra Heat Smash which cash in out any remain Heat . Misusing Heat can leave behind actor vulnerable , in two ways so if their antagonist has yet to respond with their own Heat , though characters have a few different method to extend or replenish their active reserves .
Used wisely , Heat can change by reversal a peer around on a dime , with connected attacks wholly devastating a health legal community . scrap legal injury is alive during Heat , so it ’s not a matter of simply immobilize incoming attacks , either , though aBloodborne - same regeneration mechanic yield the opportunity to return some spend health as well .
Along with Rage Arts making a return – special cinematic attacks only uncommitted at low-pitched health – Heat offers a new strategic layer toTekken 8that will take some time to get used to . Teasing out Heat feels essential and should become central to the game ’s meta , and all character seem to have special moves and combos that flux straight into warmth to devastate any neglect cube attack .
32 Characters In The Roster
A trio of raw characters and the next JACK modeling fortifyTekken 8 ’s roster , and we pass fourth dimension with Peruvian MMA belligerent Azucena , high - tech Gallic super - undercover agent Victor , and the aforesaid violet - hairy Reina . All three seem viable and overpowered in properTekkenfashion , with Victor lead the most dramatic face with his pressed wooing , cybernetic sword , curved underhanded CQC knives , and even a straight - up handgun .
Azucena – whose backstory involve a passion for coffee and the desire to share it with the world – does n’t have any such appurtenance , but her fighting style is chock - full of mix - ups and feint , including a bogus - out mid - combo clap and a dancing taunt which mechanically dodges attack . We struggled a bit to get the rhythm of her gameplay , buther unique tricks could prove withering in competitive matches , and she ’s much more playfulness to watch in gambol than , say , Steve Fox .
Another potential Mishima kin member joins the fray inTekken 8 , with Reina potentially presenting as Heihachi ’s undercover love child educated in Mishima Karate . Reina may apply the conversant warriorlike artwork as a cornerstone , but is much more limber than her founder , and wields a massive explosive Rage Art that end matches with cinematic grandness .
Multiple Gameplay Modes - And Tekken Ball
Tekken 7featured multiple gameplay modes andTekken 8brings a surprise inclusion which was first revealed back in September : Tekken Ball . The special modality originally appeared inTekken 3 , offer a creative twist on volleyball and dodgeball that combine actual character reference attacks and a expectant floaty sphere that focus damage between combatants . Tekken 8 ’s personification of the plot feels much smooth than what ’s derive before , with special moves and jazz group add increase effect and damage to the ball , along with Rage Arts and Heat attacks . In exercise , it feels quite similar to Technos ' classicKunio - Kunsports plot , like Nintendo’sDodge Ballseries .
While we could n’t try out its online functionality , the opportunity to betroth thisTekkenfan - favorite against players around the man should be a treat toTekken 8players and suitable of a competitive circuit on its own . Yes , Tekken Ball does feel a picayune janky by design , but it has plenty of potential , and experiencing how dissimilar approach change the nature of the ball affords the experience some unexpected depth .
Beyond that , there ’s reason to suspect that a few surprises were left under wraps in our trailer . Will there be a new heartbeat ‘em up way hidden inTekken 8 , as found in several other game in the serial ? What about extra unlockable characters or skins ? We expect that Bandai Namco has keep more than a few trick up its sleeve for the full release .
Final Thoughts on the Preview
We sense like the three hours of the event represented a simple sample of the completeTekken 8experience . Other constituent that synchronize the historic serial publication alongside present - day fighters include the car combo car-mechanic , a gameplay assistance somewhat similar to dynamical control inStreet Fighter 6 . There , a simplified control strategy take into account histrion to focalise on spacing and timing in place of complicated clit sequences , butTekken 8improves upon it , with a uncomplicated press of the left bumper spark and deactivate it at will , which finger appropriately natural mid - fight .
With Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 set up to liberate just months aside , players may have to ask themselves which will be the right fighter for them .
It ’s hard to completely dismiss comparisons between the two series and their modern - sidereal day representative , butTekken ’s characterful presentation and update technical school could be a deciding agent . Tekken 8also boast a “ Ghost AI , ” which models the secret plan ’s AI to record and adapt its style based on player behaviour , leave in a much more reactive and adaptive training silent person . Along with the broad Arcade Quest , it ’s a secret plan feature article that further emphasize the notion of AI couple serving as a thoroughgoing training ground for take the fighting to human players online .
Tekken Ball presents a surprising and unexpected gain that feels like a right update to a fan - ducky , offering a nice schnorkel in between received battles , and will hopefully fulfill its own on-line fanbase and competitory circle . It also looks like part of the defaultTekken 8retail package , unlikeTekken 7 ’s Tekken Bowl DLC .
With the full release a small over a month aside , Tekken 8is an exciting prospect for fighting game fancier in 2024.With aone - of - a - kind story that continues to impress and bewilder , customization options and alternating gameplay modes , and the prominent launch roster and most fledgling - friendly tutorial track yet go steady in the serial , the new year ca n’t follow fast enough .
Tekken 8releases on January 26 , 2024 , for PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series X|S , and PC .
Source : Bandai Namco Entertainment / YouTube
