I’m a fighting game pro but Tekken 8 plays things safe

FIGHTING game fans have been eating well over the last 12 months, and in February it was time for one more game to throw its hat into the Tekken.

Tekken 7 was released in 2015, meaning that fans have been waiting almost a decade to play more of their beloved series.

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The story is, and has always been, utter nonsense, and while we won’t get into Jin’s global war or Kazuya’s Devil Gene, it is continued here.

While the plot is as baffling to new fans as ever, a lot has been done to bring newer players into the combat.

The Heat system now has two methods of activation, simple button taps will let you pull off these powerful moves, while the more complex method will extend your combo.

This allows newer players to get to grips with things, while also rewarding veterans for their skill.

Tekken has never been the most approachable series, and you’ll never be able to understand a character’s strengths by simply mashing buttons.

Legacy fans will always have the upper hand in battle, and online is still brutally difficult for newcomers, but there are still things you can enjoy.

Alongside story matches adjusted for your level, there are mini-games like Tekken Ball – Tekken’s version of volleyball, and Tekken Force – a side-scrolling beat ‘em up.

The developers clearly wanted to ease fans into actual online play and have added in an Arcade Quest to help with the basics.

As you travel around to different fighting tournaments, you are drip fed new techniques that will help you out when it comes to the real thing.

Tekken is similar to other fighting games in that players will have a main character that they learn all the techniques for and master.

There are 32 characters in the roster, including new and familiar faces, so that even veterans might find someone they love.

If you played the closed beta test, you might have been left disappointed, but everything has been improved here for the full release.

While Tekken 8 doesn’t offer anything too new, there is still a lot to love about the latest instalment.

Street Fighter 6 was a bold step forward for the franchise, but Tekken 8 is altogether a safer play.

Die-hard Tekken fans are sure to love it, and there are more tools than ever before for those new to the franchise.

However, Tekken 8 is still just another Tekken game, but sometimes that’s all it needs to be.

If you want to read more fighting game reviews, check out our Street Fighter 6 preview.

Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.