The Next Chapter of the Iconic Tekken Series Is Almost Here

A lot of the information regarding the various modes, roster and included fighters has already been revealed to a great extent and it is really worth it to mention that this time the main roster is not only extensive but also quite tight with multiple legacy characters as well as the inclusion of a few new faces to the fight to keep things fresh!

In this article we are going to dwell deeper into the upgrades, new mechanics, and improvements that the Tekken 8 gameplay is going to offer fans, as well as other interesting facts about the storyline and new introductions. So, put on your best fighting gear, position your stance for a big fighting experience and let’s begin our overview!

The continuation of the grand Tekken storyline

Although the fine details of the story have been shrouded in a cloud of mystery, through different trailers and footage it is clear that Tekken 8 stays true to the long-ago established formula of clan rivalry and father-son duels for power and redemption of the past mistakes during the crucial events that have lead to the present day battles. After coming back from a coma Jin Kazama must face up against Kazuya Mishima, both of whom are Devil gene holders, in an epic brawl of might and strength without restrain, all while Operation Lightning is going on and led by Commander Lars.

The action scenes are intense and full of impressive stunts, rich in explosions, pumping fists with dark devil energy and intentional and challenging provocations posed by both sides towards each other. What unfolds next is a series of rounds that showcase the beauty and the potential pure force of the matches to be expected in the title with some signature moves and outstanding effects between the opponents. There is also a choice-quick-time event included where you get to pick one of the options to dodge or punish making the outcome a bit different depending on your selection. Would the father and son clear out their differences and abolish their mutual hatred or would they carry on with the grueling fights until one of them is no longer able to continue and fall victim to the other? We are for sure going to find out as we complete the Tekken 8 Story mode!

A rich and extensive 32-character roster with their very own and unique styles

All the familiar and unknown faces included in the Tekken 8 gameplay have had a massive visual portrayal with stunning visuals and effects that would be distinct for each and every single one of them. There are some of the most popular favorites, returning characters and newcomers that would all be involved in the matches for players to enjoy and master. Having said that let’s have a more specific look over the participants!

Of course the aforementioned Jin and Kazuya (including their devil forms) are first on our list as the main plot revolves around them but also included are the popular likes of: Paul Phoenix, Marshall Law, Nina Williams, Yoshimitsu, Hwoarang Jack-8, King, Ling Xiaoyu, Brian Fury as well as Lars Alexandersson, Feng Wei, the bears Panda and Kuma (as individual fighters), Sergei Dragunov, the dessert falcon Shaheen, a very capable boxer in the face of Steve Fox, the truth seeking Leo, a very balanced Peruvian warrior named Azucena, the returning shadow agent Raven, the demon banisher Claudio Serafino, the noble fighting heiress Lili, high-spirited peacemaker Asuka Kazama, the Grandmaster – Leroy Smith, the living legend Victor Chevalier, Reina – a completely new character with a mystical sense of evil, the fan favorite from Tekken 6 Alisa Bosconovitch, as well as Lee Chaolan and Zefina also this entry in the Tekken series is going to mark the return of Jun Kazama, who has not been actively playable ever since the second part of the franchise! All of whom would go into fights on 16 different arena stages that would be included in the title!

As of the moment of writing this article these are the confirmed names on the list, but there would surely be more participants in upcoming DLC packs as the seasons start rolling-in, so we are pretty excited who would join the roster next!

A bunch of exciting new additions and mechanics to exploit in battle

Let’s review what is newly included in this entry in the Tekken series as well! The game is rumored to have a serious focus on “aggressive tactics” and would have some interesting dynamics as well as counters for players to use during fights.

The HEAT System is here to bring even more action

First of all we got the HEAT System mechanic that is brand new and would allow players to boost their strength immensely for its duration, but how does it work? Well, to understand that better you would have to monitor your Heat timer that could be used for 10 seconds per round. When activated your Heat timer is going to stop decreasing while you hit your opponent actively or they are down on the ground and if you are careful enough this could actually prolong your HEAT state for quite a bit.

You can and should activate your HEAT (with the R1 button) while setting up a slam or combo and this way you would get the ability to increase the aggressiveness of your character with their own unique flare and moves, thus dealing extra punishment and damage to your opponent for the limited timeframe. You absolutely consider the HEAT Engager and HEAT Smash as options too, as this would allow you to run faster towards your opponent and smash them harder with significant gains and advantage, but have in mind the moves are going to vary between the different characters, so you should study their possible chains and styles.

The Rage System is the decisive tool to use in tough moments

Next we have the Rage System, with it players enter a certain state when their health drops below a certain amount and it gets activated automatically, so you should not worry about pressing any buttons and be focused enough to use it to your advantage during the fight. When in this condition you can enter the Rage Art special moves that could be activated as a one-shot turnaround and end the round/match in an instant.

Do not lose all the health you got taken away

We have to talk a slight bit about the Recoverable Gauge, which is exactly what it does actually. When you take hits and damage, your health gauge would obviously drop, but it would retain a certain amount of potential recovery if the combo streak does not continue or you effectively counter your opponent. This way after a short period of time you could restore a tiny bit of your health and retain yourself longer in the match.

Useful controller style settings for anyone

Last come the controller type options and here we got Arcade Style which is the authentic and more traditional way to do matches with a very sensible feel of freedom and the Special Style that includes the “Easy combo” and “Assist” features from Tekken 7, but with improvements such as combo and move recommendations per each character and easy action changes while in the different states (Heat, Rage and so on).

Craft your very own character in Arcade Quest mode

Another interesting feature to mention before we wrap things is the option to create your own avatar and take part in various arcade matches in order to learn the basics, establish your own preferred style of matching and even enjoy a storyline to your liking. You can also take part in the Tekken 8 Online PvP matches and see who has more skill among other players.

Highly-customizable content to adjust to your preference and liking

As a stimulating incentive this mode would offer players rewards such as customization packs for different characters including your avatar.

This way you can freely adjust the style and look on your favorites and increase their glare with the multiple options to change the complete outlook of fighters and even add accessories, intros, player cards and much, much more!

With so many things included the Tekken 8 Steam release is sure must-have for any fan of the fighting genre and the franchise. Experience the rivalry and let the story unfold in front of your eyes as you battle out some of the most impressive matches available in this long-running series.

We are going to make sure and keep you up-to-date about any new announcements and introductions to the roster as well as anything else important in gaming that is coming our way in the future! Stay tuned and make sure to follow our blog regularly for more awesome promotions, content and news!