Amidst the talk about 2023 being the Grand Slam year for VS Fighting games, there is both truth and falsehood. Yes, because Street Fighter VI and Mortal Kombat 1 were released within a few months of each other, and no because Tekken 8 will only be released in 2024. So, while January 26, 2024, was close, it turns out that another contender, King of Fighters, whose KOF 15 was released in 2022, was missing. And yes, for someone like me who grew up with NeoGeo, KOF is a cornerstone… But let’s get back on track, what will change with Tekken 8, which is arriving on PC and consoles 9 years after Tekken 7? What won’t change? A detailed preview a month and a half before the game’s release.
The first thing that needs debunking when starting this Tekken 8 video is whether the game is as beautiful as Katsuhiro Harada claimed a year and a half ago during its announcement. Remember, on September 14, 2022, the producer of all Tekken games claimed that Tekken 8 would be as beautiful as the images shown in the teaser. Some believed his words, while others like us had some doubts, and it is undeniable that Harada was exaggerating a bit. No, the final version of Tekken is not as beautiful as the images from the very first teaser, BUT Tekken 8 is still a huge visual spectacle. I invite you to admire the images I captured so that you can see that the game benefits from being developed exclusively for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Furthermore, to achieve such incredible visuals, it is worth mentioning that the developers chose the Unreal Engine 5, and it is immediately apparent. The textures are detailed and abundant, the environments are rich in detail, the colors are vibrant, and the visual effects enhance the beauty of the game. So, it may not reach the level of the teaser or Mortal Kombat 1, which I find visually superior, but Tekken 8 is still a graphical benchmark, and there is a significant improvement compared to the previous Tekken 7.
BRUTAL & SAVAGE
What truly changes with Tekken 8 is its brutality and aggressiveness. Never before has an installment placed such emphasis on this destructive aspect, which will give an advantage to the player who is more offensive. For someone who grew up with KOF, this is a dream come true, whereas pro Street Fighter players who always play defensively might be thrown off. Indeed, in Tekken 8, everything pushes the player to play aggressively, at least in the first few hours of gameplay, because that’s how you get the hang of it and discover the more mainstream side of this installment. Yes, Tekken 8 has also simplified its combat system to continue appealing to the maximum number of players, especially the general audience. But simplicity does not mean that fighting game specialists will not find enjoyment in it. Just like Street Fighter 6 a few months ago, it’s clear that the developers have found the right formula to bring beginners and experts together under the same gameplay. Easy to play, hard to master, although Tekken 8’s combat system is still less complex than that of Street Fighter.
INTENSE HEAT
With Tekken, there has always been less need to perform quarter-circle and half-circle motions, making it more accessible. But with this 8th installment, there is an added powerful and aggressive element to the mix. The idea is to have fun while playing, but also while watching as a spectator. Clearly, Harada designed his game for the eSports scene, aiming to create epic and thrilling moments. Not only does the gameplay revolve around this new approach, but the environments have also been adapted accordingly. Now, it will be possible to destroy certain elements of the scenery, which will open up new combos, especially aerial ones, and also change the environment similar to Dead or Alive. So, Tekken 8 has a real destructive aspect that is truly enjoyable.
Another game mechanic that proves Tekken 8 prioritizes aggressiveness above all else is the Heat Mode, which is divided into two different options: Heat Burst and Heat Engager. Basically, by pressing R1 when the blue meter allows it, the player can enter a special mode for a few tens of seconds. Either unleash a more powerful attack by briefly freezing the screen or boost their character and gain access to additional moves. Some experts argue that there is an imbalance in the Heat Mode, as certain characters are more advantaged than others through this mechanic. However, when it comes to the Rage Arts, introduced in Tekken 7, they are the same for everyone this time, with the same command. Simplification to please the general audience, and that’s not a bad thing. On the other hand, in terms of presentation, Bandai Namco has made a huge leap forward, with visually stunning and devastating attacks. Regardless, it’s quite impressive.
Our hands-on session also allowed us to play the first 4 chapters of the Story mode, but to avoid any spoilers, we are not allowed to show content beyond Chapter 1. Nevertheless, the story continues from the events of Tekken 7, and we will obviously continue to follow Kazuya Mishima’s destructive desires as he continues to despise humanity. This time, however, he will have to contend with new characters, such as a certain Victor Chevalier, founder of the United Nations Independent Forces, voiced by Vincent Cassel. Victor Chevalier is simply the first French character in the franchise, as Lili de Rochefort is actually from Monaco. He is also the one who founded and trained the Raven Force. Victor Chevalier is by far the character I spent the most time with during this preview session, not only because he exudes class with his haute couture outfit, but also because he is equipped with knives and incredibly fierce optical weapons.
TEKKEN BALLS
We also discovered the Arcade Quest mode, which allows players to explore the game through a social hub where they create their own cute personal avatar and roam through arcade rooms to complete challenges and learn the basics of the game. It’s a bit like Street Fighter 6’s World Tour mode, but without the free-roaming aspect of an open map. It’s cute, but not particularly interesting, especially if you already know the basics of Tekken and are over 20 years old – let’s be realistic. Another game mode that is not particularly exciting in Tekken 8 is the Tekken Ball mode, which makes its grand return. The objective is to deplete the opponent’s energy bar by hitting them with a ball, knowing that certain angled shots deal more damage. Honestly, it’s not worth it, as it is neither funny nor fun nor exciting. Finally, to wrap things up, Tekken 8 will offer a whopping 32 characters at launch, which is quite satisfying, with most of them being well-known fighters from the series who have evolved over time. I’m specifically referring to Paul and his new hairstyle. He’s almost unrecognizable.
