Summary
Tekken 8is the next title in the long-running franchise. After eight years, the series is finally returning with a new entry that adds the Heat system, three new characters, and a new Arcade Quest mode.Tekken 8’s roster of 32 characters is by no means small, but the series has had upwards of 100 different playable fighters, meaning that some player’s mains from previous titles have been left behind. Plenty of returning players and newcomers alike will be searching for a main whenTekken 8is released at the end of January 2024. One of the strongest options out there is series staple Nina Williams.
Nina Williams is one of the few characters to have been featured in every mainlineTekkengame so far. This is important because of the way that each game in the series builds upon the previous one. Unlike most other franchises inthe fighting game genre,Tekkencharacters retain a lot of their attacks and combos between entries. This often means that returning characters are more complex than newer additions to the roster. Learning veteran characters is more daunting because of the amount of moves available to them, but it can come with some advantages as well. There are plenty of resources to help players learn Nina’s playstyle, and the character is super refined after approximately 30 years of consistent appearances.
Nina Williams Is a Jack of All Trades
Nina Williams is one ofthe strongest female characters inTekken. Her long history in the franchise has given her a diverse moveset that makes her extremely well-rounded. She has great reach with her pokes and is capable of ranged attacks with her guns, as well as powerful grabs. Nina’s biggest trade-off is that her defense is sub-par. She struggles to keep her opponent out, which can be problematic considering that she is strongest up close. to succeed with her, players will need to foster an oppressive offense that forces their opponent to remain defensive. Nina’s large list of moves gives her plenty of options to do just that, but it can be a double-edged sword.
Nina Williams Is Difficult to Learn
Nina Williamshas a huge list of abilities, meaning that mastery of the character requires lots of learning. This isn’t inherently a weakness, but it does mean that Nina is considered one of the more difficult characters to play inTekken.Learning her is a process that will reward the player with the ability to use one of the series' most unique characters proficiently, but it requires a degree of commitment that may be too much to ask of some players. The flip side of this is that her complexity offers a tremendous amount of freedom and expression to those who stick with the character.
Who Should Play Nina Williams
Nina Williams is a strong choice for players who want a well-rounded character with a focus on offense. She is also the perfect fighter for players who want a wide array of different options from their character. Nina’s difficulty will make her more approachable for veterans of the series, especially those who have spent time playing her in previous entries, but the addition ofSpecial Style controlsmakes her easier to pick up than ever before. On top of Special Style,Tekken 8’s Arcade Quest mode and new tutorials all work to make the game easier to learn than previous entries, so new players shouldn’t hesitate to try out any character.
Nina Williams is one of the most iconic characters inTekkenand will reward players who invest the time necessary to learn her with a unique gameplay experience. For those who fear that Nina may be too difficult or want to try out a less aggressive character,Asuka Kazamais a defense-oriented fighter who is easy to pick up but still offers tremendous depth.Tekken 8’s launch roster includes 32 fighters, so even if Nina isn’t a strong fit, there is a character in the roster for almost every playstyle.
