Operating systems: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Tekken 8 is a game full of rage. That’s probably not surprising for a series that has allowed players to abuse each other with an assortment of strange characters for the past thirty years – imagine space ninjas, kangaroos, pandas, and wooden training dolls, in addition to the typical cast of martial artists found in fighting games – but with this most recent installment, aggressive play is truly at the core of the experience.
The new Heat gauge system, a secondary bar beneath your character’s health that, when engaged, puts you into Heat State and grants you a small window of boosted power to, ideally, beat the tar out of your opponent, is the pinnacle of this. The game teaches you how to launch an enemy into the air and then land an unblockable Heat-powered strike, so this isn’t something to be utilized sparingly. You begin each round with a full bar of Heat ready to unleash. Although playing Tekken 8 is all about speed and fury, there are some disadvantages to that.
The roster feels somewhat unbalanced as a result of the Heat system and, more broadly, the emphasis on aggressive play. Characters whose greatest qualities have historically been speed or skill are quickly overpowered by the slightest mistake, as long-standing power players become even more unstoppable. That may get pretty annoying, especially if you’re partial to a character who doesn’t ‘feel’ like a warrior using force.
Tekken 8 might be the most feature-rich game in the history of the franchise.
In an attempt to alleviate this, Tekken 8 also presents a more straightforward ‘Special Style’ control scheme. While Special Style simplifies combos and special moves to a single button push, default controls maintain the series’ well-established method of one face button controlling one limb for punches and kicks. Though it can’t hope to map the vast array of attacks that a regular Tekken fighter has access to, it’s completely optional—fear not, purists—and might aid players in adjusting to the game’s new tempo. It’s also excellent for reintroducing the game to returning players or new ones who may need some time to pick it up.
Aggression is encouraged by heat, yet heat also has tactical uses. You get many advantages when Heat is active, such as the ability to do possibly match-ending chip damage to your opponent when they are blocking. The fighting system has also been tweaked to include the ability to recover health and give skill a chance to take the place of brute power. It will be interesting to watch how the competitive world responds to these improvements as Tekken 8 releases.
However, if you’re playing the game alone, there’s a ton of content available to keep you busy as you learn its nuances. One of the longest and most complex story modes in the series to date, this one culminates in a very dramatic story about the fight between Kazuya Mishima and his son Jin Kazama across generations. This is the first Tekken game to use Unreal Engine 5, and it looks amazing for it. The story also channels the unwavering spirit of Tekken 8’s combat style throughout, with many breathtaking moments.
In addition to the Mishima family drama, each of the 32 characters in the game’s launch roster receives a special “episode” that explains their history and involvement in the most recent tournament. These are brief—each having five battles and a different ending—but they do a fantastic job of developing the increasingly bizarre plot. Consider it a standalone “Tekken Cinematic Universe,” where the IMAX experience for the main tale is complemented with character-focused shorts on the streaming series.
Arcade Quest, Tekken 8’s most peculiar new mode, is reminiscent of Street Fighter 6’s World Tour mode. In a similar manner, you’ll make an avatar and explore the globe to become the greatest fighter; however, in this particularly meta twist, you’ll be exploring video gaming arcades to become the world’s top Tekken 8 player. Arcade Quest is a good companion mode on its own, with a respectably long campaign to finish and lots of avatar customization cosmetics to unlock along the way, even though it basically functions as an enhanced tutorial. Sadly, this complete break from the game’s visual aesthetic is startling, especially when you’re quickly alternating between the realistic Tekken 8 combat and the cartoonish arcades. Avatars and supporting characters are reminiscent of Nintendo’s basic Mii figures. Fortunately, there’s also a traditional arcade mode.
Perhaps the most feature-rich game in the series’ history, Tekken 8 brings back the beloved mini-game Tekken Ball, which is similar to volleyball but is played in a contact sport. It also offers an extensive online multiplayer experience. Everything depends on the new Heat system and emphasis on aggression, which, although generally a move in the right direction, may need more adjustment than anticipated from seasoned players and feel a little too harsh for those who are brand-new.