Tekken 8 is the bombastic return you want

Within the first few minutes Tekken 8In story mode, I cheered at the screen as I watched the iconic Jin Kazama sprout wings, throw three cars at his father with his mind, and then body-hurl him through a skyscraper. I knew I would be fine if the game had started at that level. Tekken 8 is a wild, over-the-top callback to the absurdity of things like “ Tekken 3and you will absolutely love it.

Tekken 8The story mode follows Jin Kazama’s journey to defeat his father Kazuya Mishima, who is once again holding a tournament to find the best fighter in the world. Contestants from countries around the world will compete, and those who fail will face dire consequences unless Jin puts an end to his escapades while fighting to rediscover his own devilish powers. Of course, there’s more to this story, but it’s a story you’ll definitely want to experience for yourself. Don’t worry if you’re not up to date with the story yet, Tekken 8 offers a series of short videos that inform you about the main plot.

This time there’s a combination of 32 old and new characters on the roster; The Mishima family are out in force, the capers between Paul Phoenix and Marshall Law abound, and Kuma and Yoshimitsu are here to respectfully crush and slice their enemies. Tekken 8

also introduces the stunning Peruvian MMA fighter Azucena, the elegant leader of the independent UN forces Victor Chevalier and the fierce Reina with mysterious ties to the Mishima family’s fighting style. It’s the perfect combination of recognizable personalities to help former players get back into the game, as well as exciting new options that fit in perfectly Tekken 8is the explosive narrative.

In addition to the main story mode, each playable fighter has their own character episode, an easily digestible session consisting of five fights that rewards you with a short cutscene about what they were doing surrounding the events Tekken 8. This is an excellent return to the silliness of older Tekken installments; It’s endlessly enjoyable to watch these characters indulge in their own crazy escapades outside of the Mishima conflict. Spoiling any of these cutscenes would be a disservice to the discerning Tekken fan, so I’ll let you discover them, but I’d recommend you head straight to Law’s to get a sense of just how crazy it can get.

Getting back into a fighting stance can feel daunting, especially for someone who hasn’t played Tekken in a long time (myself included), but Tekken 8The controls are designed to feel intuitive and comfortable for every type of player. The first few fights with Jin felt like slipping into an old pair of shoes. Familiar moves and combos flew from the deepest recesses of my mind and landed with crystal clarity, as if I had never left. If you don’t have that basic familiarity, the new Special Style mode is here to support newbies and returning players a step further – pressing LB switches to a much simpler control style and allows your character to perform complex, powerful moves with Less effort to perform requires you to remember and press the correct keys, which is a big, welcome win for accessibility.

It did offer a robust single-player experience, but that’s it Tekken 8The multiplayer and competitive modes will delight many players. The online space feels like a whole new game in itself – you have to create a custom cartoon avatar before entering an online space. Here you’ll find Arcade Quest, a mix of tutorial and challenge that pits you against increasingly difficult computer-controlled opponents, while the new Super Ghost Battle mode lets you take battles against an AI that mimics your playstyle to help you improve you. Tekken features a highly competitive multiplayer scene, making this addition a nice introduction to online play for the uninitiated.

Once you’re ready to take on the world, those looking for a simple PvP experience can head to a number of different arcade machines; Two players can sit opposite each other and engage in a three-round battle, with the option to compete again, switch characters, or simply run away after an embarrassing defeat. It’s a sleek, interactive system that makes it feel like you’re hanging out in a real arcade rather than sitting in a static menu waiting for a game. If a player quits, you must practice your moves until you are matched with another player. In between games, you can explore the space, watch other battles, or spend a little time customizing your avatar or Tekken fighters.

A familiar mode also returns – Tekken Ball. First introduced in Tekken 3The aim of the mini-game is to defeat your opponent by throwing a large ball at them, using your regular moves to increase the power of the hit. It feels exactly how I remember it; and its inclusion feels like another nod to classic Tekken.

The Tekken team has made incredible progress for this iconic series and it’s the perfect time to get back in. Dedicated players will find more of the game they love; A gripping story, stylish and fulfilling combat, packed into a series of breathtaking locations and stages. This is Tekken at its best; High voltage, endlessly entertaining and pushed to the absolute limit of its own self-indulgent silliness.

But Tekken 8 has also turned his gaze to the back of the room, to the departed fans and the retired fighters. A special battle in Story Mode reaches its climax when the electrifying riffs of Jin’s theme tune are heard for the first time Tekken 3, break out into the arena. If you are a long-time fan or a casual ringside viewer, Tekken 8 He sees you and says “Welcome home.”

Fist Meets Fate on January 26th. Tekken 8 is available for Xbox Series X|S.