REVIEW: Tekken 8 is the best fighting game of this generation t3531

2024 celebrates 30 years since the franchise Tekken made its debut in arcades around the world, competing with other titles that were also fighting for their place in the market, such as Virtual Fighter da SEGA. Now, in its most recent chapter, the fighting game seeks to reinvent itself without, however, losing the legacy that has captivated generations. u3s8

What was this trajectory of evolution like? Does Tekken 8 has the potential to rival other fighting games in the same category, such as Mortal Kombat 1, which are the highlights of this generation? Find out everything in the analysis showmetech!

History 6r4t5f

Tekken It is, above all, a fighting game. Therefore, you should not embark on this journey expecting a complex story. It exists there only to justify why several different and unique characters fight. However, for those who have followed the franchise for a long time and appreciate its narrative, it offers a satisfactory result.

Before starting the Story Mode journey, the game presents small summaries that try, as far as possible, to update players on the entire mythology of the game so far. However, for newcomers, it may seem a little superficial when trying to summarize 30 years of the franchise in a short time, but within these limits, it still manages to fulfill its role.

However, the subsequent events, in which we follow a scene of Jin Kazama trying to defeat his father in an attempt to redeem himself for his past sins – without success – to a scene in which an Italian exorcist has a serious argument with a panda, may seem meaningless. However, Tekken It's like this: a story that sometimes embraces the ridiculous, but that, at the same time, entertains those who follow it.

Despite the various twists and turns and other absurd events, which can confuse a beginner trying to understand the purpose of everything that appears on the screen, Tekken 8 It also brings some themes relevant to current times, such as mental health and valuing the lives of the characters. Therefore, even if you are in the game just to press different buttons on the controller and face enemies, whether online or offline, it is worth following the story and having fun with its metaphors and twists.

But my two tips, especially if you're new, are this: First, don't take the story too seriously. The second tip is that, if the fights are difficult, take the time to play Arcade Mode which, in addition to being a tribute to arcades, also serves to teach you about combos and how to take advantage of the gaps offered by enemies. It's a great way to get some tutorials and get better acquainted with the fighting game.

Gameplay 106d5e

If story isn't the strong point of fighting games, gameplay is where their focus is and that, I'm happy to say, is Tekken it does very well. I'm no veteran or the biggest fan of the genre, but I have a certain affection for the franchise, as it was one of the first games I came across when I got my PlayStation 1. So, deep down, my experience with the gameplay is not that of an experienced gamer who knows all of a character's combos or something similar.

However, despite this, I found the game very receptive to newcomers. But before that, it's worth a brief explanation of how I see fighting games: they have legacy gameplay, where the characters' combos don't undergo major changes between one game and another, just small refinements that make them better. That said, for a veteran, naturally, getting used to the controls is easier than for someone who is playing for the first time and if you enter online mode, you will notice how clear this difference is. Especially when taking one of the biggest beatings of his life from someone playing King.

Fortunately, the game has some simple commands for newcomers to understand and feel like they are making progress. Although this is not necessary to compete against the best in online mode, where you still need to memorize and learn more complex combos, it is still enough for a layman, for example, to feel satisfied while improving his skills.

Now, regarding other aspects of the gameplay, it is worth highlighting that Tekken 8, different from its main competitors in this generation, such as Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, is not a 2D fighting game, but rather a 3D one. What does that mean? There are greater possibilities in your character's movement, you are not limited to just moving forwards and backwards, but you also have a feeling of depth on the map, as you are able to move in other directions while applying your combos. I find both styles fun, each with its own proposals and complexity, but I had a lot of fun with the format of Tekken.

The implementation of controls that represent different limbs of the body – two for kicks and two for punches – simplifies access to basic movements, while combining buttons and directions on the analog stick or directional pads unlocks more powerful combinations. This approach makes the game accessible to those, like me, who used to mash buttons randomly in fighting games but now feel motivated to learn and execute successful combos.

The ability to chain sequences into combos, through Special Mode, makes combos easier and more accessible with just one button, instead of trying to memorize combos. This is particularly important for beginners, who can feel a tangible improvement in their skills even without mastering the more complex movements required in online mode. 

Furthermore, it is worth highlighting mechanics of “Rage"and "Heat” are vital innovations in Tekken 8. The system "Heat", activated by the right control button, temporarily elevates the fighter's abilities, allowing devastating blows and ensuring that regular attacks cause damage even when blocked. On the other hand, the system “Rage“, improved since tekken 6, increases the power of moves when health is low, culminating in a “rage art“, a spectacular special move. These mechanics add an exciting layer of tactics and game-changing, especially at critical moments in the fight.

It is also worth highlighting that the game was tested on PlayStation 5, so throughout my experience I had the convenience of playing on a controller; Due to the complexity and reflex to press the buttons, I don't see myself playing it on the keyboard. So, anyone considering buying it for PC, it's worth considering also purchasing a joystick if you don't have one, just to make your experience easier against other players.

Characters 5n456s

This point is not to talk about the characters' story itself, but rather how they are different and unique in the mechanics of fighting games. Tekken 8 shines in the variety and depth of its roster, which features 32 fighters. Each boasts lavish detail and beautiful animation, brimming with personality and style as they fight.

Therefore, veteran characters like Paul Phoenix and Jin Kazama, along with newcomers like Victor and Reina, guarantee a diversity that avoids the feeling of repetitiveness. Each one, whether Nina Williams in her violet fringed dress or Jin Kazama showing off his muscular shirtless body, presents a unique style that ranges from martial realism to almost magical attacks.

Despite this rich selection of characters, I still miss some nostalgic names like Gon and Mokujin from Tekken 3, which was one of the games in the franchise that I had the most with. So, for me, these absences are notable, but that would be complaining with my mouth full, as the cast was well selected and I had fun with everyone.

Tekken Ball 4u1i1d

As I talk about the game, you can tell that I have a special affection for the third game in the franchise and this new game from Bandai Namco manages to please me in different ways, the main one being the return of one of my favorite modes: Tekken Ball. The characters go to the beach to show off their fighting skills, while hitting a ball that deals damage when it hits the opponent. It's a fun minigame that can serve as a distraction when you're stressed out online or just want to play something to relax.

Although he seems to be a little different from how he was in the Tekken 3, the mechanics are still fun, and it's funny to see a panda bear competing in this mode against a woman with pink hair, who is actually an android.

Online mode 1q3p5d

Despite all the new features and improvements in the offline mode, the main highlight of a fighting game nowadays, or any other genre that aims to penetrate the competitive market, lies in its online possibilities. No game can stay relevant for long or preserve a stable player base if these functions are weak or unstable. From my experience, Tekken 8 it also offers more than satisfactory results in this mode.

My internet connection is good and, whether playing via Wi-Fi or cable, my online matches had no performance issues – I faced other players online and, most of the time, I ended up getting beaten by the more experienced ones, with rare moments of glory for me. Even with the crossplay between consoles and computers enabled, I faced little instability.

Of course, that doesn't mean my experience was completely problem-free. On some rare occasions, I have faced more serious problems, such as slow matches or even disconnections on one side. However, considering that it is a game connected to the internet and dependent on several factors for good performance for both players, the result is positive. I've seen many launches focused on online that were much worse in this regard.

Perhaps the biggest problem with connections occurs when players decide to create their own Lobby to play with friends in a closed group. This is a big problem that, although occasional and capable of being corrected with updates, causes discomfort for those who just want to have fun with people they know.

Graphics and Sound 2wp1k

There isn't much to add about the graphics of the game: Tekken 8 stands out in every way possible. The fights and cutscenes in the story mode are impressive, especially in PlayStation 5, where it was played for this review. Both in of general quality and art direction, which, compared to its predecessor, shows a significant evolution in all aspects. Therefore, it is notable that the characters display more personality, whether in their fluid movements or in their expressions during fights.

Another detail that makes Tekken Even more fun and attractive is the complexity and countless possibilities to customize your characters as you wish. Playing online, I noticed some cosplay interesting, but it is when researching the tool's potential online that one realizes its true capacity.

For example, Jin Kazama, protagonist of the eighth game, has already been recreated as Leon Kennedy from resident evil or even David Martinez, famous character from the animation set in the universe of Cyberpunk, Edgerunners. Of course, these are some of the more serious characterizations, but the customization tool also allows for fan jokes, like turning Paul Phoenix into Sponge Bob Square Pants. Just be a little creative with the possibilities to make the most of it!

The most impressive thing is that, in a generation of consoles that promised to games at 60 FPS with good performance, but that often fail to achieve this goal, Tekken 8 plays this role masterfully. Obviously, there are current games more beautiful and realistic than the fighting title from Bandai Namco, but few achieve its overall quality and optimization. In this way, it stands out not only among the most beautiful of its genre, but also among the releases to date.

Naturally, the compliments are not just restricted to the graphic aspects of Tekken 8, Because the Bandai Namco also did an excellent job composing the game's soundtrack. The songs are engaging and, even if some aren't to your liking, you can still customize which melodies will be played during the game, having access to different sounds produced over the 30 years of the franchise.

Hardware Requirements 6q111f

If you choose to play on your computer, here are the minimum and recommended requirements for it to work on your machine:

Components	Minima	Recommended
Operational system	Windows 10 64 bit	Windows 10 64 bit
Processor	Intel Core i5-6600K/AMD Ryzen 5 1600	Intel Core i7-7700K/AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Memory	8 GB of RAM	16 GB of RAM
Video card	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti/AMD Radeon R9 380X	Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070/AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
DirectX	12 Version	12 Version
speech	Broadband internet connection	Broadband internet connection
Storage	100 GB of available space	100 GB of available space

Price and availability 1s705x

Now available on the market, Tekken 8 can be purchased from R $ 269,90 on Steam, for those who want to play on the computer. For PlayStation 5, the starting value is R$349,90 on PlayStation Store and, finally, Xbox fans can also purchase for R$349,90 at the Microsoft Store.

Is Tekken 8 worth playing? 1t2k1d

In a niche genre, where each person has their preferred style of fighting game, it is difficult to say that one stands out as the “definitive”. However, if it were necessary to choose, Tekken 8 could receive this title during the current generation of consoles. The game is a natural evolution of its formula, which has been improved over these 30 years, and there is no other Fighting Game 3D that sures what was presented here. Fluid combats and welcoming gameplay for beginners and laypeople are its main highlights. Adding to this the quality of the online mode and a story that fulfills its role, the Bandai Namco presents us with one of the company's best products.

In general, even with all the innovations and corrections to previous problems in the franchise, the developer still manages to maintain the essence of the series in a very consistent way. Tekken 3 may have established many pillars for the 3D fighting game genre when released in 1997, remaining the best for many years, but the eighth game in the franchise manages to be superior and more complete in different aspects, taking the new position on the throne . So whether you're a newbie looking for the ideal fighting game to hone your skills with a character, or a veteran who still re combos, Tekken 8 it's the perfect choice.

It's also worth highlighting that we're living in golden years for fighting game fans in general. With so many great titles on the market, there is plenty of content for players to enjoy for years to come.

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Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim