Tekken 8 is the latest installment in the long running Tekken franchise and – arguably – right up there with the very best. After finding success in its last series entry, the development team pushed harder than ever before, packing this new game full of every mode and option you could imagine. It’s an absolute blast to play whether you’re looking for competitive play or an over-the-top single-player experience. It’s also the first big fighting game built using the latest generation of Unreal technology. As such, unlike Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1, Tekken 8 is a game available only on current generation platforms and by and large, it’s a winner on all systems.
After the delightfully excessive introduction sequence – a Tekken staple – you’re dropped into a main menu packed with modes and options, perhaps more packed than any fighting game I’ve played to date. You have a full single-player story mode with cutscenes and over-the-top action, you have the arcade quest mode which has you travelling around to fictional arcade competing in Tekken, there’s character stories, an arcade mode, practice modes, online options and even the ability to assign soundtracks from every game in the franchise to specific stages. It’s almost awe inspiring to see so much stuff in a fighting game.
Visually speaking, Tekken 8 builds on the seventh entry with a focus on a grungy, hyper detailed aesthetic. Characters are chiseled with exaggerated features and clothing designed to emphasise their style. In some ways, it feels a little too busy for my tastes but I think the overall model quality is a nice step up from Tekken 7 with rounder edges, improved materials, better skin shading and much improved clothing. Integration into the much-improved scene lighting is also a night and day difference. This is consistent throughout the game – there’s just more detail everywhere you look, lending it a richer overall appearance.
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