We often hear from fighting game enthusiasts that 2023 is referred to as the year of the Grand Slam in VS Fighting circles. This statement holds both truth and falsehood. It is true because Street Fighter VI and Mortal Kombat 1 were released close together, but it is false because Tekken 8 won’t be available until 2024. So, while we came close on January 26, 2024, another significant title remains unaccounted for: The King of Fighters, with its latest installment, KOF 15, released in 2022. For someone like myself who grew up playing the NeoGeo, KOF holds a fundamental place. However, returning to the main topic at hand, Tekken 8 is set to arrive on PC and consoles nine years after Tekken 7. What changes can we expect? And what will remain unchanged? A comprehensive preview is due approximately one and a half months before the game’s release.
Brutal & Savage
What truly sets Tekken 8 apart is its emphasis on brutality and aggression. No previous installment has highlighted this destructive aspect as much, giving an advantage to players who adopt an offensive strategy. For fans raised on KOF, this shift may be welcomed, whereas pro Street Fighter players accustomed to zoning tactics might struggle initially. In Tekken 8, the game mechanics strongly encourage aggressive play, particularly during the initial discovery phase, which helps players develop skills and explore the more mainstream aspects of the game. Additionally, Tekken 8 has simplified its combat system to attract a broader audience, especially the general public. However, this does not mean that experts in brawling will be left behind; like Street Fighter VI did a few months ago, developers have seemingly achieved a balance that can cater to both beginners and seasoned players under the same gameplay framework. The game is designed to be easy to play but difficult to master, even though its combat system is less intricate compared to that of Street Fighter.
HEATWAVE
With fewer quarter-circle and half-circle back motions required, Tekken has traditionally been more accessible. However, with this eighth episode, there is an added powerful and brutal element. The intention is for players and spectators alike to enjoy the experience. Clearly, Harada designed his game with the eSports scene in mind to create epic and dramatic moments. In addition to the new gameplay approach, the environments have also been adapted accordingly. Now, it will be possible to destroy certain decorative elements within the scenes, which can allow for opening up combinations, particularly aerial ones, and changing environments similar to those seen in Dead or Alive. Therefore, Tekken 8 introduces a genuine destructive aspect that turns out to be quite enjoyable.
Another game mechanic that emphasizes aggression is Heat Mode, which comes in two variations: Heat Burst and Heat Engager. By pressing R1 when the blue gauge allows, you can enter a special mode for about thirty seconds. You can either trigger a more powerful attack by briefly freezing the screen or boost your character’s abilities to access additional moves. Some experts argue that there is an imbalance in Heat Mode as certain characters benefit more than others through this mechanic. Regarding Rage Arts, previously introduced in Tekken 7, they are now uniform for all characters with the same command input. This simplification aims to appeal to a broader audience, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, in terms of presentation, Bandai Namco has taken things to another level, with visually pleasing yet painful-to-endure attacks. In any case, it’s impressive. Our hands-on session also allowed us to play through the first four chapters of the Story Mode, but to avoid spoilers, we cannot reveal the content beyond Chapter 1. Nevertheless, know that the storyline follows Tekken 7’s events and continues Kazuya Mishima’s destructive desires, who still disregards humanity. This time, though, he must deal with new characters like Victor Chevalier, founder of the United Nations Independent Forces, voiced by Vincent Cassel. Victor Chevalier is not only the first French character in the franchise – as Lili de Rochefort is actually Monégasque – but also the one who established and trained the Raven Force. During this preview session, I spent considerable time practicing with Victor Chevalier, not just because of his fashionable high-couture attire but also due to his equipped knife and ultra-venomous optical weapons.
TEKKEN BALLS
Fighting game enthusiasts often claim that 2023 marks the year of the Grand Slam for VS fighting games, which is both true and false. It is accurate because Street Fighter VI and Mortal Kombat 1 were released within months of each other; however, it is inaccurate since Tekken 8 will not be available until 2024. Additionally, King of Fighters with its release of KOF 15 in 2022 was also a significant event, though for someone who grew up playing NeoGeo, KOF might seem more basic. Nonetheless, focusing on the upcoming release of Tekken 8 nine years after Tekken 7, it raises questions about what will and will not change. This detailed preview is provided a month and a half before the game’s release.
When Tekken 8 arrives next month in 2024, it will have been almost a decade since fans anticipated this new installment. By launching on new consoles, Bandai Namco has set several objectives: transitioning to the Unreal Engine 5 for next-gen visuals, simplifying gameplay to attract newcomers, maintaining technical depth to not alienate veterans, and making the game more brutal and wild to ensure spectacle. Each of these points has been successfully achieved, and it seems unlikely that Tekken 8 will miss its upcoming release in a few weeks. Everything has been refined and improved, leaving only the question of whether the rest of the content will match this quality. However, we can already dismiss the Tekken Ball mode, which holds no interest…
For those eagerly awaiting the release of Tekken 8, there’s some exciting news from Bandai Namco Entertainment. Carlos Mendoza delves into the announcement that Feng, a Tai Chi master with a striking presence and formidable skills, will be part of the game’s launch roster on January 26, 2024. Plus, fans can get hands-on experience with Feng during the upcoming closed beta from October 20-23, 2023, available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Don’t miss out on all the details about this new character and the opportunity to test your skills ahead of the official launch! (Check it out: [Read the article])
At EVO 2023, Bandai Namco Entertainment made waves by unveiling two new characters for Tekken 8: Raven and Azucena. As we gear up for the game’s release next year, these additions promise to bring fresh excitement to the roster. Sophie Laurent’s detailed account captures the buzz around these introductions, exploring the background of Raven from the UN Intelligence Bureau and the agile Peruvian fighter Azucena, who might stir some friendly competition with Lili over their differing beverage preferences. Dive into the intrigue by checking out [Read the article] and see what these new characters have in store for the fighting game community.
While we eagerly await the official launch of Tekken 8 on January 24, 2024 (the date has been corrected to reflect an earlier statement), Sophie Laurent provides an insightful preview at Players for Life, discussing how Bandai Namco’s strategic delay aims to avoid direct competition with other major releases and sets the stage for a dominant start in early 2024. The blog post delves into the fresh trailer that highlights Tekken 8’s multiplayer hub, complete with customizable avatars and tutorials designed to welcome new players. To learn more about this exciting development, be sure to check out Sophie’s article [Read the article].
