In 2024, the Tekken series will mark its 30th anniversary since its debut in 1994, initially in arcade halls and later on the original PlayStation. At that time, Namco aimed to provide a unique alternative to the established brawlers from Capcom and SNK, the leaders in the genre. The goal was to innovate with a more accessible combat system by eliminating complex quarter-circle and half-circle backhand movements. Reflecting on my background with Street Fighter, The King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown, The Last Blade, and Garou Mark of the Wolves, I initially viewed Tekken less favorably due to its gameplay and visual style. However, over 30 years, perspectives have evolved along with the series itself. Today, is Tekken 8 the peak of what Namco began? Is it the definitive brawling game?
In 2024, the Tekken series marks its 30th anniversary since its debut in 1994. Initially met with skepticism for its seemingly simplistic combat system and less appealing visuals compared to contemporaries like Street Fighter and The King of Fighters, Tekken sought to stand out by eliminating complex input movements. Over three decades, the series has undergone significant evolution in both gameplay mechanics and visual aesthetics. With the recent release of Tekken 8, it is now being regarded as the definitive pinnacle or quintessential representation of the franchise established by Namco.
Exploring the various menus on the presentation screen, one quickly realizes that Bandai Namco has not held back on quantity, offering numerous modes designed to provide players with ample content. One of the major new features in Tekken 8 is its Story mode, which aims to catch up and offer a more comprehensive and deep narrative experience, particularly after Mortal Kombat successfully integrated genuine storytelling into its fighting games. Everyone is pursuing this approach, and Tekken 8 is no exception. With its roster of characters centered around the Mishima family’s dramatic internal conflicts, there is ample material to work with. At least for those who enjoy over-the-top, almost cringeworthy stories. It’s fair to say that the intricate web involving Kazuya, his father Heihachi, and descendant Jin often veers into B-movie territory, a trend that continues in Tekken 8.
Beyond this significant narrative misstep, which clearly indicates it is high time Katsuhiro Harada hires proper scriptwriters, Bandai Namco has taken care to nicely package all elements of Story mode. With numerous cutscenes, polished transitions, staging, and a few twists, there’s enough content to please the fans. While we are still far from what NetherRealm Studios offers with Mortal Kombat, at least we can appreciate the effort. The only issue that remains, which has persisted for some time now, is that each character speaks in their native language, leading to chaotic conversations when they interact. For instance, one character may speak English, another responds in Japanese, and a third interjects with French phrases, while an animal contributes sounds – it’s clear Tekken never takes itself seriously. Thankfully, this hasn’t changed, but it doesn’t prevent the cringe factor.
Tekken 8’s story will incorporate references to Dragon Ball Z, The Matrix, Final Fantasy, particularly recent entries, as well as Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac. This blend is so exaggerated that it becomes humorous. The shift from a B-series to a Z-series is executed with such nonchalance that it is impossible not to laugh heartily.
If the family Mishima stories have not piqued your interest, you can choose the Arcade Quest mode, where you create an avatar to explore arcade halls and engage with all the tutorials provided. Honestly, if you have been playing Tekken for several years, this Arcade Quest mode may not be particularly engaging, especially given that Bandai Namco has opted for a chibi-kawaii style rendering with avatars resembling Nintendo’s Miis. It truly does not align with the Tekken spirit, and it is unclear why character customization options are limited to chibi styles when a more detailed rendering akin to Street Fighter 6 would have provided greater depth.
NOOBS & EXPERTS, HANDS-ON
For Tekken 8, the fundamental and most engaging aspect remains intact: the gameplay and the renowned combat system. In this 2024 release, Harada aimed to create an experience that is both satisfying for players and entertaining for spectators. To accomplish this, he chose a more aggressive, raw, and visually spectacular approach. As someone familiar with NeoGeo and The King of Fighters, I find this direction particularly appealing. While I have always favored offensive gameplay over the zoning tactics of Street Fighter, achieving the right balance is essential. Tekken 8 may currently lack that equilibrium, especially in certain combos that could benefit from refinement. It is still early to make definitive judgments as the game was recently released, but updates might address some technical imbalances. Consequently, passive players might find themselves overwhelmed and disoriented by the game’s rapid pace, which can sometimes be too swift for comfort. Additionally, it remains relatively easy to continuously harass an opponent on the ground or in the air, a feature that may seem unfair yet is characteristic of Tekken’s gameplay tradition.
Bandai Namco has designed their game with the eSports scene in mind, aiming to create epic and chaotic moments for spectators. The gameplay is structured around this new approach, and environments have been adapted accordingly, allowing players to destroy certain decorative elements. This destruction can open up combo opportunities, including aerial ones, and alter the environment similarly to how it is done in Dead or Alive. Therefore, Tekken 8 features a genuine destructive aspect that proves quite enjoyable.
For those who are keeping up with the latest developments in the Tekken universe, Sophie Laurent’s piece on “Tekken 8: Raven and Azucena (from Peru) Unleash Gameplay Trailers at EVO 2023” is a must-read. Published on August 6, 2023, this blog post details Bandai Namco Entertainment’s exciting reveal of two new characters during the prestigious EVO gaming tournament. Raven, a returning ninja from the UN Intelligence Bureau, and Azucena, an agile Peruvian fighter with a penchant for coffee, promise to add fresh layers of depth and intrigue to Tekken’s already complex roster. Discover more about these intriguing additions and the anticipation surrounding Tekken 8’s release by checking out Sophie’s insightful post [Read the article]. As we eagerly await the release of Tekken 8 in January 2024, Sophie Laurent’s insightful piece on Players for Life provides a refreshing look at what players can expect from this highly anticipated game. From the strategic postponement to its innovative avatar customization options and multiplayer hub, Sophie dives into how Bandai Namco is positioning Tekken 8 to capture both new fans and seasoned veterans. If you’re curious about how Tekken plans to navigate the competitive landscape of fighting games and set itself apart with unique features, be sure to check out her article [Read the article] for an in-depth preview. As we delve into the rich history and evolution of Tekken, it’s exciting to see how the series continues to innovate with each new release. For a closer look at one of the latest developments in Tekken 8, be sure to check out Carlos Mendoza’s piece titled “Tekken 8: Feng to be Included, New Closed Beta as Well,” published on September 20, 2023. In this post, Carlos reveals that Bandai Namco has announced a Tai Chi specialist named Feng will join the Tekken 8 roster at launch in January 2024. Players also have the opportunity to test out Feng during an upcoming closed beta from October 20-23, 2023, across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S platforms ([Read the article]).
