After a six-year wait since 2017’s TEKKEN 7, the series finally returns with its hotly anticipated eighth mainline entry, TEKKEN 8. Few games have shaped my view of gaming, like the TEKKEN franchise. It is hard to deny just how important the series is, especially in the fighting game community. TEKKEN has long stood as one of the major pillars of the fighting game world, and with the latest entry, it is looking to usher new players into its bombastic universe.
TEKKEN is the game I first got to experience competing against my friends on the original PlayStation, and one I have followed ever since. While I may not be someone who has ever dreamed of fighting in a tournament, it is a game I can’t help but pick up anytime I have a chance. So, I was excited when I had the chance to experience TEKKEN 8 in LA before The Game Awards.
Now running on Epic’s cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5, TEKKEN 8 represents a massive graphical leap for the series and looks absolutely brilliant. Intricately detailed character models and environments immerse players in the heat of battle like never before. Spectacular special effects and destructible stages add a new level of dynamism to the trademark TEKKEN combat. That is not even touching on how well the overall presentation looks, making this one of the most vibrant entries in the series.
“TEKKEN 8 represents a massive graphical leap for the series and looks absolutely brilliant.”
Underneath the slick new presentation, TEKKEN 8 retains the exceptional feel and balance of gameplay that the series is known for. Subtle tweaks based on player feedback over years of TEKKEN 7 competition refine the combat mechanics to emphasize aggression and momentum.
The addition of the new Heat system also spices up the action, providing temporary bursts of offence power without overcomplicating the flow. And let us not forget the return of TEKKEN Ball to give a low-key way to experience the series in a slightly less intense setting. This game is packed to the brim with content, and Bandai Namco can only show so much in a single play session, but I will try my best to dive into what makes this installment so exciting.
With content spanning an epic Story Mode continuing the decades-long Mishima family conflict, deep character customization options, and robust tutorials and training tools, TEKKEN 8 shapes up to be the most well-rounded and accessible entry in the revered 3D fighting franchise yet. Faithful expansion of the proven formula should resonate with the passionate longtime fanbase, while lowered barriers to entry provide those fighting game curious compelling reasons to finally give the game a shot.
Starting with the story, TEKKEN 8 wastes no time in immersing players in an epic battle that has been years in the making. We start off strong with Jin riding a motorcycle up a skyscraper into a helicopter, only to have a fight with Kazuya Mishima, and we are only five minutes into the demo. From there, we get a lot more depth to the story that players will experience when they pick up the game and dive into the banana story that the series has created up to this point. It is one that, while completely insane, is so engrossing that I was sad to have to put the controller down when I reached the fourth chapter.
The environments and backdrops have received similar visual upgrades to carry the epic battle forward. Stages like the Urban Square feel lived in and full of personality, with flickering neon lights reflecting in puddles on the street, glass shatters during brawls, and dynamic weather seamlessly transitioning as you fight to take down opponents. The team clearly put effort into modernizing this entry, and the results are staggering.
The visual enhancements extend to the hard-hitting effects that give TEKKEN its signature feel. Devastating blows carry real visual impact, while special moves dazzle with colourful lightning and energy effects. Environments also destructibly react to the carnage, with chunks of stone and wood exploding from walls and floors during intense exchanges.
TEKKEN 8 represents a new high watermark in graphical presentation for fighting games, from the detailed character renderings to the reactive, destructible stages. The visuals stay true to the series’ gritty, hard-hitting roots while expanding the spectacle considerably. Fights feel more alive and energized with the enhanced visual feedback. Casual spectators will be dazzled by the graphics even if they don’t understand the underlying gameplay systems.
“The new Special Style of fighting makes it much more accessible, especially for people who may be new to the style of gameplay.”
This brings me to one of the smartest moves the team has ever made to bring in new audiences: the new Special Style of fighting. If you have played TEKKEN for years, don’t worry; the complex series of combos are still alive and well, but much like we saw with Street Fighter 6, the TEKKEN team has added a new fighting style to the game that makes it easier for new players to jump in and get a feel for the mechanics. It won’t make you an expert overnight, but it makes it much more accessible, especially for people who may be new to the style of gameplay.
The team has also brought a new Heat system to the series, and from my experience, it adds a fun dynamic I did not expect to the trademark TEKKEN combat flow. Once per round, fighters can activate a temporary powered-up state that grants access to new attacks and combo opportunities. This creates exciting back-and-forth swings as opponents strategically leverage their Heat to overwhelm defences and steal rounds. It is incredibly powerful, looks visually impressive, and feels fantastic when you pull it off.
Other adjustments double down on rewarding aggressive play. The pushback on blocking has been reduced, along with tweaks to float states and recoveries. This makes it easier to continue offence after attacks are blocked, rather than having to reset to neutral. New combo enders add bonus damage for ending juggles against a wall or with a signature tailspin.
It remains to be seen whether all of these changes will sit well with longtime players, but from my experience at least, everyone at the event was excited to at least try out these features. The changes make fights feel more dynamic and aggressive compared to TEKKEN 7‘s methodical spacing game. Newcomers, in particular, seem well-equipped to apply constant pressure. And that’s before we even get into the Arcade Quest story mode, which adds a fun, meta twist to learning everything TEKKEN 8 has to offer.
TEKKEN 8 aims to be the most content-rich entry in the series yet, with modes and options tailored towards players of all backgrounds and skill levels. The Arcade Quest mode is a testament to that and gives new players who want to learn the many aspects of the TEKKEN style of fighting a fun twist to progression, firmly based in the fighting game community that loves the series.
The Arcade Quest mode offers an old-school ladder-style challenge. Players battle through various AI opponents of increasing difficulty to earn rewards and rise up the leaderboards. You get to build your own avatar and rise through the ranks of arcade bars to eventually take down anyone as you learn the systems behind the game. It reminds me of Xbox Arcade back in the days of the Xbox 360, and it does a great job capturing the world the advanced players may have experienced firsthand.
Even with all the additions to the game, TEKKEN 8 is still very much a game of skill, and you will need to practice if you want to take on your friends and reign supreme. Thankfully, you are given all the tools to succeed built right into the game, thanks to practice modes and the new Super Ghost Battle, where you are given the opportunity to fight an AI version of yourself that learns very quickly how you play. You can even learn about ways you can improve and adjust your style based on what you did in fights, giving you an AI coach that is working to help make you the best you can be.
If that were not all, TEKKEN 8 allows for deep character customization, with expanded options compared to TEKKEN 7, where you can craft your perfect fighting out of the extensive roster. New categories like life bars and gauge panels can be customized along with extensive wardrobe and accessory offerings. I only got a bit of time with the content, but it was incredible the extent you could adjust every aspect, including the look of the flames when you are prepping for a major attack.
With robust single-player content, multiplayer battles, and creative customization, TEKKEN 8 shapes up to be the most well-rounded TEKKEN package yet. Veterans will sink hours into the various modes while newcomers can ease into the experience at their own pace. TEKKEN 8 strikes an admirable balance between innovation and tradition. Faithful refinement of proven mechanics should resonate with the passionate fanbase, while next-gen visuals and lowered skill barriers provide curious newcomers the perfect entry point.
