The Tekken workforce care lots about their sequence’ story, proudly telling guests to a latest hands-on preview that it holds the world document for the longest-running single story in video video games. Starting virtually 30 years in the past, the saga of the Mishima clan and the King of Iron Fist Event has taken many twists and turns (dropping members of the family right into a volcano has by no means been extra dramatic), and Tekken 8 guarantees the boldest, most cinematic model but.
However Tekken 8 has a secret – it successfully comprises two story modes this time, on very totally different topics.
As you’d count on, the core new Story mode continues the story of Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, father and son rivals, every with actually devilish powers, and the creation of a brand new King of Iron Fist Event. And don’t fear, should you aren’t in control on how we bought right here (and there’s lots to make amends for), you possibly can watch digests of each story within the mainline Tekken video games earlier than you head in.
It’s clear that Bandai Namco are going all-in on Story this time round – this mode is extra cinematic than ever earlier than, with cutscenes weaving fights collectively seamlessly. And it wastes no time in getting in control – the story begins with Jin driving a bike up a skyscraper, earlier than throwing it on the helicopter Kazuya is driving.
Subtlety will not be on the agenda for Tekken 8 and that’s no dangerous factor – in simply 4 chapters, I took lead character Jin from a multi-stage battle in opposition to Kazuya (remodeling into Satan Jin alongside the way in which), noticed Kazuya shoot the world’s satellites out of the sky, and arrange a event to determine not simply who’s the strongest fighter, however which nations get to outlive his superpowered onslaught. It’s gratifyingly over-the-top, and has lots of enjoyable with introducing characters outdated and new to spar with Jin alongside the way in which.
What shocked me extra is that Tekken 8 successfully comprises a complete different story mode within the type of Arcade Quest. This new mode is part-tutorial, part-story, and half problem gauntlet, asking you to create a chibi-like avatar, and take them by way of a hyper-stylized tackle the world of Tekken 8’s arcade scene. It’s a fantastically light-hearted affair, teaming you up with a bunch of would-be Tekken champions, combating their means by way of more and more robust opponents to the highest of the sport – and it additionally acts a paean to the shrinking arcade business, recalling halcyon days hunched over coin-op machines.
It’s an ideal mode for newcomers to the sport, providing helpful tutorials on the sport’s primary programs, its new Warmth system (which presents one-per-round particular assaults to create extra aggressive battles), character customization, and extra. It additionally introduces the brand new Tremendous Ghost Battle mechanic, which sees an AI opponent studying your fashion of play throughout a number of modes, and providing fights that not solely take a look at your mettle, however might expose weaknesses in your sport, serving to you to enhance organically by way of trial and error quite than pure guesswork.
As I say, it’s clear that the Tekken workforce care as a lot about their tales as their mechanics – which keep rooted in Tekken’s traditional 3D fighter fashion, however make a number of modifications to extend aggression and maintain issues spicy, from the brand new Warmth system, to an elevated deal with partitions, destructibility and scene transitions. And for individuals who simply need to immerse themselves in a narrative, the brand new Particular Fashion Mode is the proper help. By tapping LB in any struggle, your common buttons grow to be super-powered, performing combos and specials with a lot easier inputs, and permitting you to see the very best of your chosen character with out having to grow to be a grasp.
There’s way more I didn’t get to attempt in my time with the sport – notably, together with a mode that features storylines for all 32 playable characters, providing even extra story – nevertheless it’s already clear that Tekken 8 has many tales to inform.
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!