Tekken 8: Unveiling the Gameplay, Characters, and All the Latest Details
Get ready for the ultimate fighting experience! Tekken 8 boasts cutting-edge gameplay, stunning graphics, and an extensive roster With a captivating storyline, this highly anticipated game is set to revolutionize the fighting genre Prepare to be blown away!
Fans of fighting games have been treated to a bounty of new releases in 2023, and for those who love a good family feud that can only be settled in the midst of a volcanic battle, Tekken 8 is on the horizon. The upcoming installment in Bandai Namco's popular fighting game series promises to deliver a visually stunning experience, powered by Unreal Engine 5 and boasting new aggressive gameplay mechanics that set it apart from its predecessors.
In anticipation of its launch, we've compiled all the details currently available about the game, including the lineup of beloved characters, release date, and the innovative Heat system that promises to shake up the traditional fighting game formula.
Tekken 8 Release date
Following the demise of Heihachi Mishima, Kazuya has risen as the primary antagonist in the Tekken series. During Gamescom Opening Night Live, series director Katsuhiro Harada officially announced that Tekken 8 is set to be released on January 26, 2024.
Initially unveiled at PlayStation's September 2022 State of Play, Bandai Namco has been consistently releasing character trailers for the game. Additionally, early versions of the game have been shared with the press and showcased at special events as development progresses for the highly-anticipated Iron Fist sequel.
Tekken 8 platforms
Tekken 8, like several other major games, will no longer be available on last-gen consoles when it launches for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. It is important to note that Tekken 8 represents a departure from its arcade origins as it is designed primarily for console play.
Tekken 8 betas
The first closed network test for Tekken 8 is scheduled for July 21 and will feature a substantial portion of the game's core content. Participants will have the opportunity to select from 16 characters in the game's roster and engage in battles on one of five stages. While Bandai Namco has not yet confirmed any additional closed or open beta tests for the game, it is not uncommon for fighting games to conduct server stress tests closer to the release date.
Tekken 8 storyline
After a 25-year hiatus, Jun Kazama is stepping back into the ring. Set six months after the events of Tekken 7, which concluded with the demise of Heihachi Mishima at the hands of his son Kazuya, Tekken 8 resumes the saga of dysfunctional family dynamics. This time, the spotlight is on Kazuya and his son Jin Kazama, as they finally engage in their long-anticipated battle as the two carriers of the Devil gene. Jun Kazama, absent from several previous games, makes a comeback with a fresh look designed by Mari Shimazaki, known for her work on Bayonetta. For those in need of a refresher on the convoluted Tekken narrative, Succession's Brian Cox has you covered.
Tekken 8 roster
Tekken 8 boasts a roster of over 30 playable characters, including two with alter-ego forms. The lineup features familiar favorites such as Paul Phoenix, Marshall Law, and Leroy Smith, with the upgrade of Jack-7 to Jack-8 adding to the mix.
Alisa Bosconovitch
Azucena Milagros Ortiz Castillo
Asuka Kazama
Bryan Fury
Claudio Serafino
Devil Jin
Feng Wei
Hwoarang
Jack-7
Jack-8
Jin Kazama
Jun Kazama
Kazuya Mishima
King II
Kuma II
Lars Alexandersson
Lee Chaolan
Leo Kliesen
Leroy Smith
Lili de Rochefort
Ling Xiaoyu
Marshall Law
Nina Williams
Panda
Paul Phoenix
Reina
Sergei Dragunov
Shaheen
Steve Fox
Victor Chevalier
Yoshimitsu
Zafina
Tekken 8 gameplay
Paul Phoenix has finally decided to loosen up. In contrast to its competitors Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, the Tekken games have focused on three-dimensional combat, allowing players to utilize the entire space of the arena. In the upcoming release, Tekken 8, there is a noticeably more intense feel, with the addition of the new Heat gauge system, which rewards players for aggressive gameplay. Each character has their own unique fighting style and extensive moveset, but it's the Heat system that truly raises the stakes.
This new meter provides each character with additional attacks and strategic opportunities to punish foes with devastating combos. The Heat Burst enables players to unleash a flashy attack that sets up a combo, Heat Engagers are character-specific moves that add two stocks to the Heat gauge, and Heat Dash allows for swift advancement towards the opponent. Finally, Heat Smash depletes the entire Heat gauge in exchange for a powerful move. When in a Heat State, players can inflict chip damage, and the properties of certain moves are altered.
The Tekken series director, Katsuhiro Harada, views the new system as a way to encourage players to experiment with characters they wouldn't typically use. According to Harada, the differences in the Heat system for each character will prompt players to start with their main, then explore the unique traits of other characters in a Heat state, gradually leading them to try other characters. Harada believes that this will induce exploration and diversify gameplay.
In addition, stage destruction is a significant feature in Tekken 8, designed to be both fun to execute and exciting to watch, especially in esports events, where Bandai Namco has tailored the effect to make it stand out.
Tekken 8 graphics
Tekken 8 marks a significant milestone as the first major fighting game franchise to be developed on Unreal Engine 5. Created from the ground up using Epic's software, Harada emphasized in an interview that the Unreal Engine 5 brings out the small details in a remarkable way. "This is actually the first time that we're able to depict rain and other outside effects, with the impact visibly rolling down the character models. And it doesn't stop there," Harada explained. "When the characters fall to the ground, their clothing gets visibly dirty, showing the effects of the battle on the character models."
In addition to these subtle details, the game also features more obvious visual elements, such as incredibly muscular characters with bulging veins and muscles, set against beautifully crafted environments.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of the Tekken series, I am incredibly excited about the upcoming release of Tekken 8. The game promises to deliver stunning graphics, intense gameplay, and a captivating storyline that will keep me hooked for hours on end. I can't wait to step into the ring and battle it out with my favorite characters, including the newly revealed Jun Kazama, and experience the all-new Heat system that adds a new level of strategy to the game.
The Tekken series has always been known for its high-quality gameplay and Tekken 8 looks to continue this tradition. The new Heat system adds a new layer of depth to the combat, rewarding players for aggressive play and allowing for some truly explosive moments. I'm also excited to see how the game's story mode unfolds, as the conflict between Kazuya and Jin Kazama reaches its climax. With its impressive roster of characters, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay mechanics, Tekken 8 is shaping up to be one of the best fighting games of all time. I can't wait to get my hands on it!
