Summary
For established fighting game franchises such asMortal KombatandStreet Fighter, the key to their longevity is their ability to evolve over long periods. Over the years,Tekkenhas proved its ability to do this just as well as its counterparts, consistently reinventing itself for each new generation. With the series now approaching 30 years old,Tekken 8represents perhaps the biggest leap forward in the series sinceTekken 3, with the implementation of new mechanics and systems that represent exciting new ways to play. Numerous unwritten rules will help players both old and new on theirTekken 8journeys.
While the series has had something of a reputation for being more defensive than some of the others in the genre,Tekken 8has a much bigger emphasis on aggressive play, disregarding all previous notions. This bold new approach adds speed and an increased sense of urgency that was occasionally lacking in previous installments. While mechanics such as air juggling are still super important, some ofTekken 8’s new gameplay elements are designed to allow beginners to quickly bring themselves up to speed.
Tekken 8 Has Several Unwritten Rules to Get to Grips With
Use Tekken 8’s Offline Modes to Experiment With as Many Characters as Possible
For players who intend tofight online inTekken 8, choosing a mainis undoubtedly one of the most difficult decisions they’ll have to make. Thankfully, the latest iteration ofTekkenis by far the best at helping players make the right call, thanks to a suite of beginner and practice modes on offer. Players are able to put each character through their paces in various offline modes, from standard Arcade to more nuanced Practice modes, where players can even focus on specific moves they find difficult to pull off. The game also offers Ghost Battles, in which the latest AI technology is used to replicate the playstyles of real players. This is the closest a player can get to playing online, without actually battling real humans, so it is ideal for practicing.
The ability to quickly switch between characters in practice modes, as well as pinning specific move instructions to the screen rather than having to go into menus and move lists every minute or so, allows for a free-flowing form of practice that players will benefit from. It’s no longer necessary to sink hours into a character to get a feel for their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally,Tekken 8also encourages players to learn the move set of their opponents, as well as their main. Knowing every opponent’s move set inside out allows players to know exactly what to expect, whether they are up against aTekkenveteran like Paul Phoenix, or the mysterious newcomer, Reina.
The Heat Meter and Rage Arts Are Both Essential to Tekken 8’s Combat
Tekken 8brings back Rage Arts, a mechanic where players close to death can trigger a powerful move to try and even the odds, and they are just as important now as in the game’s predecessor. Using these Rage Arts is as simple as pressing a button, and timing them correctly can be the difference between winning and losing. Waiting for the opposition to attack before triggering the move is often the best way to ensure it isn’t blocked.
Knowing every opponent’s move set inside out allows players to know exactly what to expect, whether they are up against aTekkenveteran like Paul Phoenix, or the mysterious newcomer, Reina.
Heat is a new mechanic inTekken 8, and is represented by a second meter underneath the health one. Players can trigger Heat once per round, and it allows for more powerful moves, as well as causing chip damage when the opponent blocks. Similarly to Rage Arts though, the opponent can block attacks while in Heat mode, so choosing the right time to trigger it is imperative. As players become more familiar with different characters' move sets, it will become more apparent how and when they should use Heat to maximize its effectiveness. Utilizing both tools effectively will help players emerge victorious more often.
Tekken 8
WHERE TO PLAY
Tekken 8 brings the fight to the latest generation of consoles, powered by Unreal Engine 5. Feel the power of every hit in Tekken 8, the latest entry in the legendary fighting game franchise from Bandai Namco. Utilising the power and realism of Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 pushes the envelope for fighting games by taking full advantage of the power of the latest generation of consoles. Ground-breaking new features, breathtakingly detailed character models and dramatic environments make this one of the most visually stunning and immersive titles in the genre yet. Tekken 8 picks up after the gruesome battle that ended in Heihachi Mishima’s defeat in Tekken 7, focusing on a new rivalry, pitting father against son as Jin Kazama stands in defiance against Kazuya Mishima in a city-shattering face-to-face showdown.
