Inside the first couple of minutes of Tekken 8’s story mode, I used to be whooping on the display screen as I watched the enduring Jin Kazama sprout wings, throw three vehicles at his dad along with his thoughts after which proceed to physique slam him by way of a skyscraper. I knew that if the sport has began on this foot, I used to be in a for a great 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 utterly 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 search out the world’s best fighter. Contestants from nations all around the world will compete, and people who fail will face horrible penalties until Jin places a cease to his antics, all of the whereas combating to rediscover his personal devilish powers. There may be extra to this story, in fact, however one that you simply’ll completely need to expertise for your self. Don’t fear, for those who’re not updated with the story up to now, Tekken 8 presents a collection of brief movies that’ll catch you up on the principle plot.
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A mixture of 32 outdated and new characters grace the roster this time; the Mishima household is out in pressure, capers between Paul Phoenix and Marshall Legislation are plentiful,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 smooth chief of the UN unbiased forces Victor Chevalier, and the fierce Reina, with mysterious ties to the Mishima household combating fashion. It’s the right mixture of recognizable personalities to ease lapsed gamers again in, standing alongside thrilling new choices that slot brilliantly into Tekken 8‘s explosive narrative.
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On high of the principle 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 outdoors of the Mishima battle is infinitely joyous. Spoiling any of those cutscenes can be a disservice to the discerning Tekken fan, so I’ll allow you to uncover them, however I’d suggest you make a beeline for Legislation’s for a style of how wacky it could actually get.
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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 kind of participant. The primary few fights with Jin felt like moving into an outdated 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. Should you don’t have that primary familiarity, the brand new Particular Type Mode is right here to help newcomers and returning gamers one step additional – urgent LB switches your controls to a a lot less complicated fashion, and permits your character to carry out complicated, highly effective strikes with much less must memorize and hit the best buttons, which is a large, welcome win for accessibility.
Whereas a sturdy single-player expertise has been provided up, it’s Tekken 8‘s multiplayer and aggressive modes that can entice many gamers. The web space seems 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 educational and problem that pits you in opposition to more and more tough computer-controlled foes, whereas the brand new Tremendous Ghost Battle mode allows you to tackle fights in opposition to an AI that can replicate your playstyle as a way to provide help to enhance. Tekken has a extremely aggressive multiplayer scene, so this addition makes for a pleasant entry into on-line play for the uninitiated.
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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 battle, with choices to rematch, swap characters or just wander away after a shameful defeat. It’s a smooth, interactive system that replicates the texture 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 possibly can discover the plaza, spectate different battles, or spend a bit of time customizing your avatar or Tekken fighters.
A well-known mode additionally makes its return – Tekken Ball. First launched in Tekken 3, the item 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 influence of the hit. It feels precisely as I keep in mind it; and its inclusion seems like one more nod again to basic Tekken.
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The Tekken workforce has constructed an unbelievable step up for this iconic collection, and it’s the right time to leap again in. Dedicated gamers will discover extra of the sport they love; a belting story, trendy and fulfilling fight, wrapped up in quite a few breathtaking settings and phases. That is Tekken at its perfect; high-voltage, endlessly pleasant and pushed to absolutely the 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 specific battle within the Story Mode hits a crescendo because the electrifying riffs of Jin’s theme, first heard in Tekken 3, erupt into the sector. Should you’re a long-time fan, or an off-the-cuff onlooker from the ringside, Tekken 8 sees you, and it’s saying ‘welcome dwelling.’
Fist Meets Destiny on January 26. Tekken 8 is offered on Xbox Sequence X|S.
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TEKKEN 8
Bandai Namco Leisure America Inc.
The TEKKEN collection 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!