The Tekken staff care rather a lot about their collection’ story, proudly telling guests to a latest hands-on preview that it holds the world document for the longest-running single story in video video games. Starting virtually 30 years in the past, the saga of the Mishima clan and the King of Iron Fist Match has taken many twists and turns (dropping relations right into a volcano has by no means been extra dramatic), and Tekken 8 guarantees the boldest, most cinematic model but.
However Tekken 8 has a secret – it successfully comprises two story modes this time, on very totally different topics.
As you’d anticipate, the core new Story mode continues the story of Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, father and son rivals, every with actually devilish powers, and the creation of a brand new King of Iron Fist Match. And don’t fear, in the event you aren’t on top of things on how we bought right here (and there’s rather a lot to compensate for), you may watch digests of each story within the mainline Tekken video games earlier than you head in.
It’s clear that Bandai Namco are going all-in on Story this time round – this mode is extra cinematic than ever earlier than, with cutscenes weaving fights collectively seamlessly. And it wastes no time in getting on top of things – the story begins with Jin driving a motorbike up a skyscraper, earlier than throwing it on the helicopter Kazuya is driving.
Subtlety isn’t on the agenda for Tekken 8 and that’s no dangerous factor – in simply 4 chapters, I took lead character Jin from a multi-stage battle in opposition to Kazuya (remodeling into Satan Jin alongside the best way), noticed Kazuya shoot the world’s satellites out of the sky, and arrange a event to resolve not simply who’s the strongest fighter, however which nations get to outlive his superpowered onslaught. It’s gratifyingly over-the-top, and has loads of enjoyable with introducing characters previous and new to spar with Jin alongside the best way.
What shocked me extra is that Tekken 8 successfully comprises a complete different story mode within the type of Arcade Quest. This new mode is part-tutorial, part-story, and half problem gauntlet, asking you to create a chibi-like avatar, and take them via a hyper-stylized tackle the world of Tekken 8’s arcade scene. It’s a superbly light-hearted affair, teaming you up with a gaggle of would-be Tekken champions, combating their approach via more and more robust opponents to the highest of the sport – and it additionally acts a paean to the shrinking arcade trade, recalling halcyon days hunched over coin-op machines.
It’s an ideal mode for newcomers to the sport, providing helpful tutorials on the sport’s fundamental methods, its new Warmth system (which provides one-per-round particular assaults to create extra aggressive battles), character customization, and extra. It additionally introduces the brand new Tremendous Ghost Battle mechanic, which sees an AI opponent studying your fashion of play throughout a number of modes, and providing fights that not solely check your mettle, however might expose weaknesses in your recreation, serving to you to enhance organically via trial and error slightly than pure guesswork.
As I say, it’s clear that the Tekken staff care as a lot about their tales as their mechanics – which keep rooted in Tekken’s basic 3D fighter fashion, however make a number of adjustments to extend aggression and hold issues spicy, from the brand new Warmth system, to an elevated give attention to partitions, destructibility and scene transitions. And for individuals who simply wish to immerse themselves in a narrative, the brand new Particular Type Mode is the right help. By tapping LB in any battle, your common buttons develop into super-powered, performing combos and specials with a lot less complicated inputs, and permitting you to see one of the best of your chosen character with out having to develop into a grasp.
There’s far more I didn’t get to attempt in my time with the sport – notably, together with a mode that features storylines for all 32 playable characters, providing even extra story – but it surely’s already clear that Tekken 8 has many tales to inform.
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!
