Highlights

  • Tekken 8 introduces both new and updated characters, offering three fresh additions to the roster alongside many returning fighters.
  • Newcomers like Victor Chevalier bring a unique blend of fashion, combat, and leadership to the game, standing firmly on the side of law and order.
  • Azucena and Reina, the Peruvian coffee heiress and mysterious student respectively, bring their own distinct styles and personalities to Tekken 8.

With Tekken 8 releasing in less than a month, the iconic 3D fighting game series will redefine itself in a new generation once again. As Jin attempts to stop his father and the Devil Gene, all while atoning for his previous sins, characters entering Tekken 8's latest King of Iron Fist Tournament have returned while a few faces are brand-new.

There are several debuts that have come with Tekken 8, but the majority of the roster comprises refreshing updates to existing fighters. JACK-8 improving on JACK-7, for example, could technically be considered new, but is ultimately another version of the same base, serving as a new model of the design that has appeared in every mainline game. Shown off as officially distinct additions to the cast so far, the genuinely new fighters set to arrive with Tekken 8 set themselves apart despite similar traits to characters of the past.

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Victor Chevalier

Victor's Lore

A prodigy of the French Navy and the leader of the Tekken world's United Nations' "independent forces" division that he also founded, Victor Chevalier is a legendary character despite being newly introduced to the series. Famous for living up to the nepotistic role he was gifted in the military, he is as established in fashion and style as he is in terms of combat. As the official leader of the Raven Unit, he has been revealed to rank above even Master Raven. As he diplomatically readies his forces against G Corp's invasion of the world, Victor seems to stand firmly on the side of law and order.

Victor's Gameplay

As one of the few characters in Tekken history to bring weapons into what is apparently martial arts-based combat, Victor has some similarities to the styles of Yoshimitsu and Tekken 7's Noctis. He shares several moves that resemble Noctis' sword slashes and teleporting maneuvers, but his ninja-inspired "Super Spy CQB" also borrows elements from the likes of Kunimitsu. Raven may serve as Tekken 8's official replacement for Master Raven, but moves like some of her throws have also ended up in Victor's kit.

Azucena Milagros Ortiz Castillo

Azucena's Lore

The heir to the Ortiz family's Peruvian coffee plantation legacy, Azucena has become a world renowned producer in the industry that continues to build on her success. Having explored other talents like modeling and dancing, she eventually turned to MMA and became a champion in the name of promoting her signature coffee blend. Her cute and bubbly personality has created a perception of innocence around her, but Tekken 8's Story Mode trailer recently revealed that Azucena is a cunning businesswoman who has aligned herself with G Corp for the sake of her brand's image.

Azucena's Gameplay

While she may originate from Peru, Azucena has incorporated several moves from previous characters of various nations into her "Striker" MMA style. She combines bits of Miguel's rough brawling, the agile kicks of Katarina's Savate, and even a blend of some Muay Thai-inspired attacks seen on Josie and Fahkumram to create an energetic feeling. With the unique utility of her dodge, she was already shown to create frustration in opponents during the last closed beta test.

Reina

Reina's Lore

A student of the Mishima Polytechnical School, Reina is a character that has been shrouded in mystery ever since her ambiguous reveal. There is almost no information available about her compared to the other newcomers, a detail that seems to indicate some serious importance to her presence when combined with her fighting style's uncanny resemblance to that of Heihachi Mishima. There is speculation that Reina is herself a member of Tekken's Mishima family, but it's unknown if she is another illegitimate child of Heihachi.

Reina's Gameplay

While players may see several of Reina's moves and assume she is a clone of Heihachi, there is more nuance to her tools. She does receive the Electric Wind God Fist, but elements like her stance and much of her basic kit show that she has also taken a lot of influence from Lidia of the previous game. If she lives up to the characters that inspired her, Reina may be one of the biggest threats in Tekken 8 on launch.