Unleashing the Next Level: Why Tekken Needs a Game-Changing Reset

Highlights

After the death of Heihachi, a reboot in the Tekken franchise could offer the chance for a fresh start and new storylines.

A reboot could revive characters such as Paul Phoenix and Marshall Law, providing them with an opportunity to shine once more. With Tekken 8 focusing on the longstanding rivalry between Jin and Kazuya, this could serve as the ideal moment to conclude the overarching storyline of the series and potentially pave the way for a reboot.

The Tekken franchise has long revolved around the powerful Mishima family and their ongoing conflicts. Since its release in 1994, fans have become intimately familiar with Heihachi Mishima, his son Kazuya Mishima, and his grandson Jin Kazama. The intense rivalries between these fighters have escalated throughout the mainline Tekken series, culminating in Heihachi's demise in Tekken 7. Now, with the imminent release of Tekken 8, which promises to bring Jin and Kazuya's rivalry to a climax, the future of the series may involve a reboot. This would provide developer Bandai Namco the opportunity to start anew.

Reboots are a common occurrence in video games, especially in long-running franchises. When executed properly, they can breathe new life into stagnant series, allowing fans to witness their beloved characters embark on fresh and unexpected journeys. Mortal Kombat, one of Tekken's oldest competitors, has successfully employed this strategy on multiple occasions, including its upcoming game, Mortal Kombat 1, which reboots the series and its characters in a canonical manner. If Tekken were to consider rebooting, it could take notes from its rival on how to effectively execute this approach.

Tekken Could Potentially Benefit From a Reboot

Tekken has maintained a consistent storyline throughout its existence, but it has also explored different paths with its non-canonical spin-offs, Tekken Tag Tournament. The first spin-off had no storyline, while the second introduced the concept of Heihachi developing a serum that reversed his aging process and restored his strength. Despite being non-canonical, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 stayed relatively true to the established narrative, with only minor changes such as the resurrection of Jun Kazama.

However, after evading death for many years, Heihachi, who is often portrayed as the evil tyrant, finally meets his demise. A reboot of the series could potentially bring him back to life and offer a different role for him in the storyline. The idea of Jin, Kazuya, and Heihachi, the members of the Mishima family, all being on the same side in a post-reboot world could attract the interest of longtime fans who have witnessed their family conflicts over the years. If the Mishima family becomes allies in this new continuity, it would require something truly extraordinary to challenge them, which could open the door for new protagonists to take the spotlight.

A reboot could breathe new life into some of the forgotten characters of the series. Over the past decade, Paul Phoenix, the veteran biker who was once a prominent figure in the series, has been reduced to a mere source of comic relief. The same fate has befallen Marshall Law, who started off as a main character but was overshadowed by the Mishima family. However, a reboot holds the potential to change this narrative, giving Paul or Law the opportunity to compete and possibly win the prestigious King of Iron Fist Tournament.

Tekken 8 seems poised to embrace a more aggressive style of gameplay compared to its predecessors, promising high-speed and exhilarating battles. While not much has been revealed about the story thus far, Jin and Kazuya find themselves at odds once again, and it seems reasonable to expect that only one Mishima will come out victorious in the end. This could serve as the perfect conclusion to Tekken's ongoing narrative, and whether or not it leads to a reboot remains to be seen.

Tekken 8 will launch on January 26, 2024 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.