A code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this Tekken 8 review.
Tekken holds a special place in my heart. I’ve played them all, having first been introduced to the series with Tekken 3 in the late-90s. And it wasn’t long before I’d sought out and played its predecessors.
My fascination continued into the PS2 era, where I ploughed hours into Tekken Tag Tournament and later Tekken 4 and 5.
Unfortunately, my interest waned after playing the disappointing sixth instalment. It was briefly reignited by Tag Tournament 2, only to be dampened again by the decidedly average Tekken 7.
After that, the series became something of an afterthought to me. But I always hoped an eventual eighth game would turn things around.
So, when I finally got my hands on Tekken 8, I was ecstatic to realise just how good it is. Not only is it my favourite Tekken game of all, it might also be the most fun I’ve had on PS5.
Tekken 8 is a resounding achievement by Bandai Namco and I simply cannot put it down. It is everything the series should be and an essential purchase for all fans of fighting games.
It doesn’t get any better than this.
Tekken 8 review: Story
Tekken 8‘s story – The Dark Awakens – may not be for everyone, but it is certainly for me. This is arguably the most engrossing and cinematic single-player campaign in the history of Tekken.
As you might expect, it is incredibly far-fetched and includes all the supernatural elements the series is known for.
At its core is the bitter rivalry between father and son – Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama. Since his introduction in Tekken 3, Jin’s character has walked a fine line between good and evil.
But in Tekken 8, his motivations are crystal clear – to kill his father and put an end to his reign of terror. Despite this, Jin is forced to overcome mounting self-doubt, making his story surprisingly heartfelt.
As a long-time Tekken fan, it was refreshing to see Jin as a human with real emotions. The same can also be said for other characters, both old and new. Ultimately, this helps keep Tekken 8 grounded even during its most wild moments.
Along the way, players are treated to numerous throwbacks and references to previous games. I won’t spoil any here, but it’s clear Bandai Namco really care about putting smiles on the faces of loyal Tekken players.
There are also plenty of opportunities to try out other characters, even though most of these interactions are fleeting. This is aided by expertly crafted CGI cutscenes that are integrated beautifully into gameplay, allowing even the most minor fighters a moment in the spotlight.
When all is said and done, The Dark Awakens feels like a tribute to Tekken‘s dedicated fanbase. It’s a commendable effort to bring 30 years of convoluted storytelling to a close, and it does so incredibly neatly.
Clocking in at around two-and-a-half hours, it could’ve gone on for longer. But Bandai Namco understood the assignment with The Dark Awakens and it never overstays its welcome. You’ll have a blast and be left craving more – which is exactly how it should be.
Arcade Quest and Character Episodes
In addition to The Dark Awakens, Tekken 8 also provides two alternate story-driven single-player experiences.
Arcade Quest sits outside Tekken canon and takes place in the real world. You control a Mii-like avatar and travel around the country to different arcades.
Your aim is to become the best Tekken arcade player of them all. Tied into this objective are friendships and rivalries that develop at the various arcades you visit. The quest culminates in a final showdown with your rival at a Tekken gaming tournament.
While this might sound a bit silly on its surface, Arcade Quest is charming and emphasises the fun aspect of Tekken. It also serves the secondary purpose of helping you learn the game and improve your skills.
Character Episodes are non-canonical stories about Tekken 8‘s other fighters. They feature brief cutscenes before and after completion, akin to those found in the arcade and story modes from older Tekken games.
They’re nothing to rave about, but they are good solid fun for the four to five rounds they last.
Tekken 8 review: Online and customisation
Tekken 8‘s online offering is the highlight of the entire package. It’s an exciting, challenging, and thoroughly rewarding experience.
There are also a few different options, meaning you really can play however you like. You aren’t forced to take part in Ranked if you don’t want to.
Instead, you can take the pressure off in player matches, quick matches, or the Tekken Fight Lounge. The Fight Lounge stands out as it encourages a degree of social interaction between players.
That’s because it’s a player hub that uses the same avatar concept as the Arcade Quest. Players congregate in a virtual arcade where you can meet and fight others.
When you’re ready to get serious with your fighting, you can head into Ranked. As you’d expect, wins and losses are tracked here and your fighting skills are graded for all to see.
With many online multiplayer games suffering from rampant toxicity, Tekken 8 feels like a breath of fresh air. Skill is fairly rewarded and climbing through the ranks is as addictive as it is tough.
There also seems to be an etiquette among the Tekken 8 community that other games lack, with many players choosing to mix their moves up rather than spam the same attacks.
The icing on the cake is Tekken 8‘s rich customisation suite. It lets players change the outfits, hairstyles, and other characteristics of all 32 fighters. The suite is so varied and flexible that you are unlikely to see the same version of a character twice.
This makes Tekken 8‘s multiplayer exceedingly expressive as it allows for all sorts of hilarious, cool, and wacky character designs. Better still, there is no shortage of in-game currency. Money is thrown at you at every opportunity, and you rarely find yourself strapped for cash. The focus here is on enjoyment and creativity – not frustrating grinds.
Fight mechanics
The core Tekken gameplay that fans know and love remains, and it is largely unchanged. However, some new mechanics have been added that enhance the action.
For newer players, a system called Special Style has been introduced. Essentially, this works as an alternate control scheme.
It maps key attacks and combos onto single buttons. The idea here is to make the fighting more accessible – it means anyone can play Tekken 8 and put up a decent fight.
Make no mistake, however, this is not “easy mode”. While Special Style can be used online, its application is very limited in competitive matches.
Players with no knowledge of combos or advanced move lists won’t stand a chance against an experienced player, even with Special Style enabled. Furthermore, an on-screen command list for Special Style appears whenever a player activates it, so you won’t fool anyone for long and it can be easily countered and exploited to your disadvantage.
The Heat system is where things get really interesting and can shift the competitive balance. Represented by a blue bar beneath your health, it is available at any time and does not need to be charged.
Activating Heat triggers a combination of attacks made up of your character’s most powerful moves. While these moves can be easily blocked, precise timing of Heat can lead to devastating outcomes.
The system adds another layer of strategy to matches that makes them even more engaging and thrilling. Heat can lead to some edge-of-your-seat scenarios, and Tekken 8 is all the better for it.
Practice Mode
The Practice Mode in Tekken 8 is something special. First introduced in Tekken 2, Practice has come a long, long way since then. In fact, at first, I struggled to comprehend how such advancements were possible.
This mode is no longer about simply practicing moves and combos. Now, you can re-experience any match (online included) that you’ve had – literally.
Did you lose a fight and want to know where you went wrong and what you could’ve done differently? Well, Tekken 8 will provide you with tips during replays. These tips consist of movements, attacks, and combos it recommends to get the better of your oppenent.
You can even take control of your character in replays and put tips to the test. The usefulness of these features cannot be understated, and are well-worth your time if you’re keen to improve your fighting skills.
Tekken 8 review: Graphics and performance
Visually stunning, Tekken 8 makes maximum use of Unreal Engine 5 and pulls you in with its vibrant colour palette and epic environments.
Likewise, character models in Tekken 8 have received a serious upgrade and never looked better. The game features what are arguably the best fighter designs the series has ever seen.
When it comes to overall performance on PS5, Tekken 8 ran perfectly for me. With minimal frame rate drops, zero crashes, and no bugs or glitches, every publisher should strive to release their games in this immaculate state.
Tekken 8 review: Verdict
Tekken 8 is the pinnacle of the series. There has never been a better Tekken and few fighting games could be considered this good.
It is an absolute treat for fans, both old and new, and I can’t see myself putting it down for years to come. I have scarcely enjoyed any game on PS5 this much.
In an era full of botched releases, microtransactions, and live services, I wish more games were like this. With its sights set firmly on the fun factor, Bandai Namco has delivered the complete package in Tekken 8.
It doesn’t ask a lot of you and respects your time. It knows you want to kick back and relax while also enjoying a challenge. Most importantly, Tekken 8 will help you learn its systems and improve and doesn’t punish you for struggling.
Tekken was among the first games I ever played on console. I was hooked back then because it was a video game in the truest sense. Having a good time was paramount. And 26 years later, the series is still delivering just that.
Overall Rating: 10/10
Version played: PS5
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