Inside the first jiffy of Tekken 8’s story mode, I used to be whooping at the display as I watched the iconic Jin Kazama sprout wings, throw three vehicles at his dad together with his thoughts after which proceed to physique slam him via a skyscraper. I knew that if the sport has began on this foot, I used to be in a for a very good time. Tekken 8 is a rambunctious, over-the-top, callback to the absurdity of the likes of Tekken 3, and also you’re going to completely like it.
Tekken 8‘s story mode follows Jin Kazama’s journey to take down his father, Kazuya Mishima, who’s as soon as once more internet hosting a event to seek out the world’s biggest fighter. Contestants from international locations throughout the world will compete, and those who fail will face horrible penalties except Jin places a cease to his antics, all the whereas combating to rediscover his personal devilish powers. There may be extra to this story, after all, however one that you just’ll completely wish to expertise for your self. Don’t fear, when you’re not updated with the story up to now, Tekken 8 gives a sequence of brief movies that’ll catch you up on the primary plot.
A mixture of 32 previous and new characters grace the roster this time; the Mishima household is out in pressure, capers between Paul Phoenix and Marshall Regulation are plentiful, and Kuma and Yoshimitsu are right here to respectfully squeeze and slash their foes to items. Tekken 8 additionally introduces the dazzling Peruvian MMA fighter Azucena, the glossy chief of the UN unbiased forces Victor Chevalier, and the fierce Reina, with mysterious ties to the Mishima household combating fashion. It’s the good mixture of recognizable personalities to ease lapsed gamers again in, standing alongside thrilling new choices that slot brilliantly into Tekken 8‘s explosive narrative.
On high of the primary Story mode, every playable fighter has their very own Character Episode, a digestible session consisting of 5 fights that rewards you with a brief cutscene about what they’ve been as much as surrounding the occasions of Tekken 8. This is a superb return to the silliness of older Tekken instalments; watching these characters take pleasure in their very own wacky escapades exterior of the Mishima battle is infinitely joyous. Spoiling any of those cutscenes could be a disservice to the discerning Tekken fan, so I’ll allow you to uncover them, however I’d advocate you make a beeline for Regulation’s for a style of how wacky it may possibly get.
Stepping again right into a combating stance can really feel daunting, particularly to somebody that hasn’t performed Tekken for a very long time (myself included), however Tekken 8‘s controls are constructed to really feel intuitive and comfy for each sort of participant. The primary few fights with Jin felt like entering into an previous pair of footwear; acquainted strikes and combos flew from the deepest recesses of my thoughts and landed with crystal readability like I’d by no means been away. If you happen to don’t have that fundamental familiarity, the new Particular Model Mode is right here to assist newcomers and returning gamers one step additional – urgent LB switches your controls to a a lot easier fashion, and permits your character to carry out advanced, highly effective strikes with much less must memorize and hit the proper buttons, which is an enormous, welcome win for accessibility.
Whereas a strong single-player expertise has been supplied up, it’s Tekken 8‘s multiplayer and aggressive modes that may entice many gamers. The net space looks like a complete new sport in itself – you’ll must create a customized cartoon avatar earlier than heading to a web based plaza. Right here, you’ll discover Arcade Quest, a hybrid of instructional and problem that pits you in opposition to more and more tough computer-controlled foes, whereas the new Tremendous Ghost Battle mode enables you to tackle fights in opposition to an AI that may replicate your playstyle with a view to aid you enhance. Tekken has a extremely aggressive multiplayer scene, so this addition makes for a pleasant entry into on-line play for the uninitiated.
When you’re able to tackle the world, these trying to find a easy PvP expertise can head over to a set of various arcade machines; two gamers can sit down reverse one another and interact in a three-round struggle, with choices to rematch, change characters or just get lost after a shameful defeat. It’s a glossy, interactive system that replicates the really feel of hanging out in an actual arcade, reasonably than sitting in a static menu ready for a match. If a participant quits, you’re left to practise your strikes till you’re matched with one other participant. In-between matches, you’ll be able to discover the plaza, spectate different battles, or spend slightly time customizing your avatar or Tekken fighters.
A well-known mode additionally makes its return – Tekken Ball. First launched in Tekken 3, the object of the mini-game is to defeat your opponent by thwacking a giant ball in direction of them, utilizing your common strikes to energy up the impression of the hit. It feels precisely as I bear in mind it; and its inclusion looks like yet one more nod again to basic Tekken.
The Tekken group has constructed an unimaginable step up for this iconic sequence, and it’s the good time to leap again in. Dedicated gamers will discover extra of the sport they love; a belting story, fashionable and fulfilling fight, wrapped up in quite a lot of breathtaking settings and levels. That is Tekken at its highest; high-voltage, endlessly satisfying and pushed to the absolute restrict of its personal rampant silliness.
However Tekken 8 additionally has its eyes on the again of the room, the lapsed followers and the retired fighters. One explicit battle in the Story Mode hits a crescendo as the electrifying riffs of Jin’s theme, first heard in Tekken 3, erupt into the enviornment. If you happen to’re a long-time fan, or an informal onlooker from the ringside, Tekken 8 sees you, and it’s saying ‘welcome residence.’
Fist Meets Destiny on January 26. Tekken 8 is out there on Xbox Sequence X|S.
TEKKEN 8
Bandai Namco Leisure America Inc.
The TEKKEN sequence is breaking into a brand new period!
The longest-running story in a online game franchise is coming again with state-of-the-art graphics and highly effective new rivalries.
Keep tuned for TEKKEN 8!