Bandai Namco faced a dilemma with the upcoming launch of Tekken 8: How to catch people up on the storyline that spans nearly 20 years? The solution was a five-minute recap video featuring Brian Cox, known for his role as Logan Roy in HBO's Succession. In the video, Cox recaps the highlights of the complex story, with a focus on the Mishima triumvirate of Heihachi, Kazuya, and Jin, delivering lines with his usual panache, including the memorable "Why do these fathers keep throwing their sons off of cliffs?"
The partnership between the creator of Logan Roy and a 20-year-old fighting game franchise may seem unlikely at first, but after finishing the recap it becomes clear. The Mishimas are known for their less-than-fatherly father figures, such as "fathers throwing sons off of cliffs," which also describes Cox's tyrannical Logan Roy. This isn't the first time Tekken has introduced guest characters from unexpected sources, with previous game Tekken 7 featuring DLC characters Noctis from Final Fantasy XV and Negan from The Walking Dead, both from outside the fighting game genre.
Tekken 8 launches January 26 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. There is no word as of this writing if, during the story, Kazuya forces members of his staff to play Boar On The Floor.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan of the Tekken series, I am thrilled to see the franchise team up with Brian Cox for Tekken 8. Cox's involvement brings a new level of excitement and intrigue to the game, and his portrayal of the Mishima family's complex relationships adds a unique perspective to the story. The recap video effectively captures the essence of the Tekken storyline, highlighting the key moments and rivalries that have shaped the series over the years.
The collaboration between Tekken and Cox is a testament to the game's enduring popularity and its ability to attract talent from outside the fighting game genre. It also demonstrates Bandai Namco's commitment to delivering a compelling narrative experience for players. I believe that Tekken 8 will continue the series' legacy of intense combat and engaging storytelling, and I can't wait to see how the story unfolds when the game launches in January.
