Tekken 8 Preview – Bringing the Warmth

After I obtained entry to the Tekken 8 preview interval by way of the closed community beta, the code got here with some character guides to assist me put together for “a weekend of excellent a** Tekken.” It felt like a direct quote from sequence producer Katsuhiro Harada (who’s fairly lively on Twitter), and it put me within the excellent mind set. 

I’ve performed Tekken very casually since Tekken 4. Whereas I’d by no means name myself good or “simply OK I suppose,” I’ve all the time cherished the way in which the sequence appears to be like and feels. It revels within the drama between knuckles and jawbones, and as a child raised on Dragon Ball Z, I attempt to take a look at each mainline entry. 

It’s solely lately I’ve tried to get extra into combating video games, significantly with Responsible Gear Attempt and Avenue Fighter 6. So I needed to know: Will I see Tekken in a brand new mild, because of my newfound appreciation for the style? Tekken 8 was the right alternative to search out out. 

I performed about three hours of the Tekken 8 closed community beta, primarily with Hwoarang. Whereas I didn’t stroll away with loads of wins, I did stroll away with keen pleasure, and I’ve by no means been extra prepared for the following battle. 

Tekken 8 Closed Community Beta Preview 

The closed community beta for Tekken 8 featured 16 characters, which is already a decent roster (for context, Attempt launched with 15). Veterans will acknowledge sequence staples like Jin Kazama, King, and Kazuya Mishima on the beginning lineup. And Yoshimitsu certainly will present up… in all probability. Proper? 

In broad strokes, numerous the returning characters transfer and act equally to how they do in earlier video games. Nonetheless, I’ve additionally seen some new methods, talents, and particle results that hold issues recent. 

For instance, Jin feels snappier and extra limber. A few of his strikes include a devil-fueled crimson aura that appears incredible (and hits laborious). He even has one transfer the place he punches and dashes via you as a counter-crossup, giving him extra mobility. 

It’s not simply transfer lists and visible results that obtained an replace right here. Tekken 8 comes with the brand-new Warmth System. With the press of a button, you get a brand new aura that offers all of your assaults chip injury. Moreover, each character will get new or augmented talents whereas the aura is lively. 

In some instances, you’ll be able to instantly follow-up after sure assaults throughout Warmth mode, much like Avenue Fighter 6’s Drive Rush. Some assaults may be canceled into others, too. And each character will get an enormous Warmth Smash that consumes the remainder of the gauge however does a pleasant bit of injury. 

It makes you maintain your breath, reworking a 12-frame animation into 12 minutes of pressure. And when it releases? It’s a reasonably nice hit of dopamine. 

The system feels sturdy, supplying you with an entire different dimension to grasp your character. Plus, while you mix it with the Rage system that’s been within the sequence since Tekken 6, there are loads of potent choices to make your subsequent comeback much more thrilling. 

For those who’re unfamiliar with the sequence, the Rage system amps up your injury while you’re at essential well being. It additionally permits you to unleash a strong Rage artwork, which prices your Rage aura and performs a cool animation if it connects. Oh, and it does big injury that feels nice. 

A Aptitude for Theatrics 

For those who’re like me and love Tekken for the theatrics, I’m glad to report that Tekken 8’s closed community beta delivers on it in spades. It’s solely made me extra excited to see the complete sport. Each character is portrayed to be virtually excessive caricatures of themselves, and I imply that as a praise. 

Paul punches via a brick wall and cheers to some larger energy at first of the spherical. For this iteration of Regulation, they took the Bruce Lee knob and cranked it as much as 11. Hwoarang, the smug taekwondo grasp from Korea, does an Akira slide on a motorcycle and says, “I’ll crush you.” 

Like earlier entries, every character has a number of introductions, however the particular dialog with particular characters provides a contact of emotionally charged melodrama. Jin will taunt his longtime rival Hwoarang, and when “Spherical 1” seems on display screen, they’ll conflict within the center simply earlier than the struggle. 

You’ll see interactions like this between Asuka and Lili, Paul and Regulation, and naturally Kazuya and Jin. Some don’t begin with a conflict within the middle, however it’s all the time a pleasant element to see characters acknowledge one another particularly as a substitute of a canned method of claiming “I’ll defeat you.” 

This consideration to element carries via to the victory display screen, and I’ve even seen it impacts the dialog throughout a Rage artwork. Usually, when Hwoarang makes use of his Rage artwork, his common bored, smug demeanor comes via in full pressure. He calls the entire thing a problem and says the opponent is simply getting on his nerves. 

If that opponent is Jin, although? Hwoarang is all fired up. He begins up by saying, “Let’s end this.” And if it connects, the ultimate hit of his animation comes with a triumphant, “That is my victory!”

It’s the little particulars like that that in the end don’t matter but additionally go a protracted approach to giving Tekken its id. It is a troublesome combating sport to wrap your head round, however it pays off with these cool moments that really feel straight out of a tacky, thrilling motion film. 

Tekken 8 lives for the joys of the hype. There have been moments I couldn’t assist however cheer, particularly throughout these slow-motion close-ups of near-hit moments. It makes you maintain your breath, reworking a 12-frame animation into 12 minutes of pressure. And when it releases? It’s a reasonably nice hit of dopamine. 

If the Tekken 8 closed community beta is something to go by, the ultimate product is shaping as much as be one other thrilling, adrenaline-fueled entry within the sequence. I can’t wait to see the place the following battle will take us, as a result of I will be there day one with my bad-boy thirst entice from Korea.

Tekken 8 was previewed on a PC by way of Steam throughout the closed community beta with entry offered by the developer. These impressions are from 3 hours of gameplay, and all screenshots have been captured throughout gameplay.