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!