Having Played Tekken 8, We Can Tell You It's Got Great Foundations and Huge Potential

Recently, I had the chance to participate in an early access event where the audience could try out the almost final version of Tekken 8. So it was a full version of the game with all the content and a pool of characters. Of course, there's still some time left until the release – it's scheduled for January 26th next year – so the developers still have the opportunity to refine a few cosmetic elements and aspects related to the game's balance. Nevertheless, there will be no more significant changes in the game, so I can form my initial opinion about it and compare it to how the fighting game appeared during the two previous beta tests.

Tekken 8 developers listen to community

I admit that the past year has passed particularly with a focus on fighting games, which I have been playing almost obsessively in recent months. As a person with a keen interest in this genre, I have been following the eighth Tekken basically since the moment I saw Kazui's photorealistic appearance announcing the new part of this cult series.

So I couldn't miss the chance to participate in beta tests. The initial beta revealed that the team is guided by a clear idea, but at the same time, the studio went too far in developing an excessively aggressive fighting game. Tekken 8 appeared as complete destruction, gleaming with the radiance of a thousand special effects in the name of building drama. Warriors were punching each other, the ground was splitting, thunder was cracking, and in the background, fluffy alpacas were jumping around!

In fact, the majority of my impressions became outdated as soon as the second beta launched – the game, while still incredibly aggressive, gave a much improved and more reasonable feel. The demonstration version takes things a step further and appears to be even more carefully thought-out brawl, with improvements made based on players feedback and input from both test participants and pros.

The developers didn't only draw conclusions, but most importantly, they implemented meaningful changes. Juggles remain an integral part of the game, as Tekken wouldn't be the same without them. Nevertheless, the damage has been reduced. You can choose to deal more damage by connecting it to the Heat system in order to quickly pull the opponent towards the deadly wall. Furthermore, the Heat system is now less lethal and its duration has been slightly reduced, while the damage to blocks has been nerfed. However, a more detailed discussion of this will have to wait for now.

Fights plus Tekken 8 equals adrenaline

Next to Mortal Kombat, Tekken is one of the most popular fighting games in the world. This is owed not just to the strong position of the original PlayStation and the scene that emerged alongside the climactic third installment. Tekken is popular because it's perfect for casual gaming, and even simple button mashing always "does something" and "looks good," transitioning into smooth attack animation sequences – it's no wonder that self-proclaimed capoeira masters playing as Eddy were a common terror in the hood. It's always easy to get to the amateur level in Tekken, and it provides a lot of fun and excitement when meeting with a group of friends. The eighth installment goes even further in this direction. I feel that this game will be perfect for both intense competition and relaxed "mashing" while enjoying beer and pizza with friends. I got a preview of this at the demonstration, where the entire group enthusiastically watched the clashes of the two players – a magical moment full of shouts and loud support. The local fighting game rivalry is one-of-a-kind and delivers an irreplaceable experience, and Tekken 8 definitely has that. The showcase in this respect didn't disappoint and was a complete experience.

During the show I realized that Tekken 8 is even more inviting to new players. This means that the combat system has been simplified in several ways. I have noticed that certain slightly more complex manual movements have been made easier – such as the Gehosen (and similar moves) performed by Yoshimitsu can now be executed by a much simpler combination. Yoshimitsu received many new animations, movements, and mechanics from Soul Calibur 6, by the way. I'm delighted by this because he seems more robust and looks fantastic in the midst of a fight. The standard commands are still present and reward with an extra bonus. Another example of simplification is the standardization of rage arts, with each character now executing them in the same manner. I also consider the fact that some of the very risky moves are now more difficult to punish on the block as a convenience. However, the alternative control scheme, slightly enhanced since the beta, will be the most helpful. I will try to provide further explanation on the day of the premiere and in the course of the review. I need to reserve something for that moment, as otherwise I won't have anything to write about, and a thorough analysis requires spending more time with the game. For now, I want to say one thing – Tekken 8 will be a cool fighting game for casual play, and I am confident that it will serve as a great introduction to the genre.

The emperor's new groove

I completed several first chapters of the story mode during the event. The first thing that caught my eye was... the uneven graphic design. I have been impressed with the graphics quality in Tekken 8 so far, but the more I look at it, the more poorly executed assets I notice. The pre-rendered scenes in the game engine that are meant to be cutscenes make a particularly unpleasant impression. They clearly stand out and were recorded in low resolution, making them appear blurry. The surroundings sometimes look strange, though generally OK. However, I had a problem with a few characters. Steve's face looks abnormally swollen, as if he underwent an unsuccessful hyaluronic acid injection. The previously mentioned Yoshimitsu appears as if someone has been adjusting the sliders for contrast and color saturation – as a result, this character stands out in a strange way from the rest of the fighters. Enthusiasts of aesthetics, accustomed to the stunning visual quality of the recent Mortal Kombat installments, may dismiss all of this. However, I generally prefer Tekken more, partly due to its more stylized artistic presentation. Don't get me wrong. Tekken 8 impresses with its detailed graphics, and it's evident that the developers spared no expense on them. But, there are a few unevenly executed elements that slightly detract from the overall appearance. Will they be improved before the premiere? I certainly hope so.

The story mode is a lengthy and impressive experience, once again reminiscent of NetherRealm Studios' solutions. However, Tekken stands out due to its QTEs, which enable us to make decisions such as whether the character should defend against a scripted attack or evade it in order to counterattack. Then there's a smooth transition to a normal clash and the fight is resumed. Also, bear in mind that the new Tekken is essentially an anime with over-the-top character, and the word "exaggeration" has vanished from the developers' vocabulary. During the first battle with Kazuya, the opponent is able to transform into a devil and then unleash a beam that, in the cutscene, destroys the entire city and kills all of its terrified residents. As we progress through the plot, we will encounter numerous actions, and I'm sure we will witness a lot of insanity. After all, one of the arenas was placed on a meteorite that was falling towards the Earth in the background – no joke.

Great foundations and huge potential

I had a fantastic time during the event and the game left a very positive impression on me, although I do have some concerns about it. However, I believe that these will be dispelled by the time of premiere. Keep in mind that it's not possible to accurately evaluate a fighting game before its actual release, but at this point and after the adjustments made following beta testing, I am confident in the quality and success of Tekken 8. In theory, this game has everything it should offer from the start and has gigantic potential for future development. It looks good, features an impressive lineup of characters, and offers plenty of engaging single-player content, along with exceptionally well-designed online functions. It's solid, and it could potentially improve even more in the future (although it's not necessary). The first few months will be crucial, as players will have already broken down the intricacies of the system into its fundamental components. Then we will find out how well this title withstands the test of time. Nevertheless, the pre-premiere screening generally confirms that the developers know exactly what they are doing. This raises hopes that Tekken 8 will make a truly great debut and will proudly represent the entire genre in the years to come.