Gaming
TEKKEN 8 is friendly to first-timers
And players who skipped a few games too
Fighting games from my childhood have been springing back to life in the current console generation. However, being away from such games for a big chunk of time, I’ve been hesitant to approach any of them again. Thankfully, BANDAI NAMCO flew us to Bangkok for the Thailand Game Show 2023 where I not only got to try the game, I also had the chance to speak with TEKKEN 8 Producer Michael Murray.
There are a handful of things at the Thailand Game Show 2023 that reignited my interest in TEKKEN. There’s the main story showcase, a returning, game mode, and my brief time playing.
New players always considered
TEKKEN has one of, if not the, longest running story in video games. This means it can be daunting to jump into a new game. Selfishly floating the question for myself, I asked Murray how welcoming TEKKEN 8 will be to both new players and players that may have skipped a few games from the franchise. He said they always make sure each game is “a good entry point.”
“In the gallery, people can check out what happened in each installment of TEKKEN so they can get a primer. Also, if you have Netflix, the Netflix animé is a good starting point because it focuses on Jin, Jun, and that background story.”
But if you don’t want to do all of that, he did say, “you don’t necessarily have to have played the previous installments to enjoy it [TEKKEN 8].”
Game modes and features for new players
TEKKEN 8 also has plenty of features to welcome newcomers and returnees. There’s a Replay and Tips feature that’s not a straight-up tutorial. It lets you get into a certain situation where you might have messed up. It then gives you tips on what you could’ve done instead.
You are then shown how much window you had to block, counter, or what-have-you, to get out of that situation and perhaps turn the match around into your favor.
They also built the Tekken Fight Lounge which Murray describes as a sort of love letter to Arcade Culture. Traditionally, TEKKEN games are released on Arcade first, followed by consoles and PC. That’s not the case with TEKKEN 8, so they just built an Arcade-like feel in the game instead. Murray said they see it as a place where players can hangout, maybe forge rivalries, but more than anything, be part of a community.
And then there’s Arcade Quest that teaches more about both TEKKEN 8 and the whole Tekken franchise in general.
Tekken Ball is back!
A fan-favorite when it first came out in TEKKEN 3, Tekken Ball is a mini-game that plays like beach volleyball and dodgeball combined but still using the techniques at each characters’ disposal.
The mini-game can be accessed through the Tekken Fight Lounge.
🔴 FIRST LOOK: TEKKEN BALL Mode in TEKKEN 8! 🔵
🏐 TEKKEN BALL Mode is back in TEKKEN 8, and it’s looking better than ever. Check out this very first Gameplay Footage to get a taste of what’s to come.
How does it look? Share your thoughts! #TEKKEN8 #TEKKENBALL pic.twitter.com/VrMPgvG2oT
— YellowMotion | TEKKEN 8 (@Yellow_Motion) September 19, 2023
Heat System, main story mode
Much has been said about the Heat System that TEKKEN 8 is implementing. Its effects are different for each character and is a mechanic that can help turn the tide of a fight. This is something I personally experienced as I got thrown cold into a series of matches.
Our writer Gab, who participated in the game’s CNT, described it as “a way for the game to remain as action-packed and relatively fast-paced as possible, and truly favors players that simply can’t help themselves.”
Murray gushed about the System saying it might even encourage players to try out characters they otherwise would not have just to see how the Heat System works on them.
Visuals and presentation
Asked what about the game would entice non-fighting game players to try TEKKEN 8, Murray cheekily said, “It’s kind of a dumb answer but it’s graphics, right?”
The game, after all, is built on Unreal Engine 5. And from what we’ve seen from the trailers so far, the graphics do look stunning. But he adds that after the visuals lure you in, you’ll find that there’s plenty that will keep you playing.
“It’s all about the different characters, why they’re fighting… I think when they pick-up the story mode and find out, ‘Man, Kazuya’s so badass so I’m gonna play Kazuya’, everyone has that instinct, right?”, said Murray.
During a press conference, Murray also showcased a main story battle featuring Jin and Kazuya. The fight looked epic, sure. But what got plenty of reaction is the inclusion of Quick Time Events (QTEs) during the fights. This adds a new-ish wrinkle to what is already building up to be another excellent story mode.
TEKKEN 8 will be released exclusively on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC through Steam on January 26, 2024. Pre-Orders for the Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate Versions are now available on said platforms starting today!
Gaming
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang partners with global fast food giant
Jollibee GameJoy x MLBB combos launched for in-game rewards, collectibles
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has leveled up its partnership with the Philippines’ leading fast food chain, Jollibee.
MLBB players may have already secured the Jollibee emote on the popular 5-on-5 MOBA title.
And this time, the campaign is rolling out the GameJoy x MLBB Combos, available nationwide at Jollibee stores until August 19.
This seeks to sustain player engagement through a mix of physical hero card collectibles and exclusive in-game rewards available with every GameJoy combo purchase.
The combos are available in five variants, all priced at PhP 169:
- Yumburger
- Jolly Hotdog
- Special Cheesy Yumburger
- Crunchy Chicken Sandwich
- Original Cheesy Yumburger
Each combo comes with fries, a drink, and the Peach Mango Pie.
Customers who avail of these combos will then get a GameJoy x MLBB pack, which includes one physical collectible card and a PIN which can be used to redeem mystery rewards within the title.
Players can expect skins, emotes, fragments, avatar borders, and the sought-after MLBB all-skin unlock.
For Jollibee, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang collaboration is a follow-up to its GameJoy x Unipin partnership last year, targeting audiences who are into mobile gaming while offering their affordable menu items.
MLBB is the most-played mobile game in the country, so the promo is expecting a warm reception.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is set for a Southeast Asia physical edition launch on June 18.
Bandai Namco and Square Enix announced the developed. In addition, digital editions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Microsoft Store are now available for pre-order.
Those who place pre-orders will receive Elliot’s Departure Pack, which includes various items that can give the protagonist an edge.
There’s the Departure Brooch accessory, which increases the amount of currency and magicite fragments dropped by enemies. On the other hand, there’s also the Attack Up sword Magicite.
In addition to the standard digital edition, the Digital Deluxe Edition is also available for pre-order, and includes these perks:
- Fairy Bangle accessory
- Cherry Blossom Anklet accessory
- Roselle Ring accessory
Meanwhile, the physical Collector’s Edition comes with the base game, original soundtrack, and desk clock statue featuring Faie.
In The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, the duo of Elliot and Faie traverse a vast world across four ages.
This world is teeming with enemy hordes, hidden caves, and ancient ruins. Elliot can wield seven weapon types, from close-quarters swords to versatile chains and sickles.
Each weapon is customizable through magicite, allowing players to tailor their combat style. On the other hand, Faie’s powerful Magic is formidable in and out of battle.
The title will also feature several new and improved features, based on feedback from the Debut Demo.
This includes faster movement speed, refinements to the weapon shortcut menu, and additional difficulty options.
Gaming
The best Tokyo tour package that is Forza Horizon 6
Discover Japan like a first time traveller
Ever wanted to visit Japan despite an ongoing fuel crisis crippling your total travel budget? Have you ever wanted to visit iconic tourist destinations like Shibuya Crossing or Mt. Fuji? Did you ever have dreams of becoming the drift king like in Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift? Well, we have good news for you!
On May 19, you’ll be able to do all three of these things as Playground Games will finally release Forza Horizon 6 across all platforms. From an overall lens, the game is slated to build off the incredible features the franchise is best known for, now in a totally different side of the world. Experience a unique kind of car culture only famously featured within popular movie franchises, while also exploring another side to Tokyo reimagined for both new and returning players to the series.
So come, take advantage of this once in a lifetime tour package, complete with the following amenities suited to hopefully make the trip to Tokyo worth it!
Sight-seeing, your way
Forza Horizon 6 features a highly populated simulation of Tokyo with tons of activities to do, sights to see, and Horizon events to satisfy your thirst for action. From street racing to experiencing the hustle and bustle of food deliveries, Playground Games wasted no time in nailing most aspects of Japan’s culture. Of course, that also includes popular tourist attractions like Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge.
I mentioned in the early preview that the developers divided all of Tokyo into different sections with their own checklists on what to do and things to collect. When looking at the full game, this list is actually a lot more expansive and comes with its own scorecard for exploration called Discover Japan. It’s similar to your Horizon Events progression, right down to the tasks and rewards so the experience wouldn’t be too unfamiliar.
SEE MORE: Forza Horizon 6 already hits the mark
All of these are within your control and pace as you progress deeper into the Horizon Events, with more areas and activities to explore the further along you are. Honestly, it ends up that you’ll accomplish these things fluidly given the amount of driving you’ll be doing so plan your itinerary ahead!
Reimagining Japanese car culture
Speaking of those Horizon Events, the staple of the entire Forza Horizon franchise once again features a unique blend of racing that is authentic to the place it represents. In the case of Japan, that’s basically all the types of races you’ve already seen in most Fast and the Furious movies, especially Tokyo Drift. And yes, you will have access to a plethora of cars that you can finetune to your liking for the best performance in all the races.
Much like in previous games, there are also pockets of events called Stories that venture into specific aspects of Japanese car culture through the lens of the characters in-game. From day-trips to learning how to be a DK or “drift king,” these were designed not only to help with game progression but to expose a culture to those who are only hearing about it now. Also, some of the events can be quite challenging even for returning and experienced players.
This even extends into multiplayer features and Horizon Stunt Events that allows you to show off your skills and your car collection. Adding in car meets within major POIs on the map was a nice touch in incorporating multiplayer activities beyond the normal racing route. Also, they added the actual Daikoku Car Meet space as a staple to this aspect of Japanese car culture!
Is this your GamingMatch?
In a nutshell, Forza Horizon 6 remains true to its roots, enabling it to bring out the best of Japan in more ways imaginable. Playground Games knew what worked from every other game in the franchise and decided to double down for the better, from mechanics to the improvements. While it had already hit the mark from the preview alone, expanding it further truly made it an exciting release to watch out for.
For a game that simply offers a more casual racing experience and pushes the car collect-a-thon a lot more, it is completely decked out with activities galore. Even with some of them feeling repetitive at times, every Horizon event and mode felt just as addictive and unique to play no matter how you want to play them. It’s a formula that encourages experimentation and enables car mastery that is easy to digest, no matter the experience level – and we’re all for it.
This truly feels like an instant Swipe Right for all intents and purposes, and definitely a must-try for anyone who plans to visit or return to Japan for a quick vacation or two. Assuming, of course, that the oil crisis will finally end by then.
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