Highlights
Tekken 8 will be released on January 26, 2024, and pre-orders will be available on August 22, giving fans something to look forward to in the new year.
The game introduces a fresh game mode called Arcade Quest, seeking to capture the nostalgic experience of playing Tekken at a mall. Players can now craft a personalized avatar to engage in battles against AI adversaries.
In addition to the announcement of the release date and the new game mode, the gameplay trailer grants further insights into the game's storyline and showcases a roster of 32 distinct characters, featuring the highly anticipated return of the beloved Yoshimitsu.
During Gamescom 2023's Opening Night, a wealth of new information about Tekken 8 was unveiled, including its release date, a fresh game mode, and enticing pre-order bonuses. The announcement of the latest installment in Bandai Namco's beloved 3D fighting game series occurred formally in September of the previous year, after an eerie teaser trailer was showcased at EVO 2022. Since then, snippets of information about Tekken 8 have been gradually surfacing, with director Katsuhiro Harada assuring fans that the game will deliver a more intense experience thanks to its innovative "Heat" gauge system.
From a narrative standpoint, Tekken 8 will introduce a captivating new chapter in the long-standing Mishima family feud, with the demise of the notorious Tekken antagonist Heihachi Mishima. The remaining members, Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, carry the weight of their ongoing battle in his absence. In recent months, Bandai Namco Studios has revealed a roster of both familiar and fresh faces who will join the fray in Tekken 8, alongside refined gameplay mechanics such as the game's new Special Style and the returning Rage system. However, up until Gamescom 2023, the developer has kept players eagerly anticipating an official release date for Tekken 8 under wraps.
Tekken 8 director Katsuhiro Harada and producer Michael Murray joined host Geoff Keighley onstage at Gamescom 2023 to discuss and reveal new details about the highly anticipated fighting game. During the event, Harada announced that Tekken 8 will introduce a brand-new game mode called Arcade Quest. This mode aims to recreate the nostalgic experience of playing Tekken in an arcade at a mall, where players will navigate through a virtual arcade and compete against AI opponents with their custom avatars. The gameplay trailer showcased not only Arcade Quest but also provided a sneak peek into the game's storyline and introduced 32 unique playable characters. Among the returning favorites, the charismatic samurai warrior Yoshimitsu made his debut appearance.
At long last, the highly anticipated release date for Tekken 8 has been revealed as January 26, 2024. Pre-orders for the game are now available starting from August 22. Those who pre-order any of the three editions of Tekken 8 will receive a special Arcade Quest costume inspired by Paul Phoenix. Additionally, PlayStation users will have exclusive access to costumes modeled after Mokujin and Tetsujin.
Fans have eagerly awaited the launch date for Tekken 8, and although it is still a few months away, it is a relief that it will not be overshadowed by the multitude of fighting games being released in 2023. The introduction of Arcade Quest in Tekken 8 seems promising, and players can expect more information on how it will enhance the overall experience of the game leading up to its release in January.
Tekken 8 will launch on January 26, 2024 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.