Highlights

  • Tekken 8 represents a big leap forward for the series, with new mechanics and systems that offer exciting new ways to play, catering to both old and new players.
  • The game encourages players to experiment with as many characters as possible through its offline modes, allowing beginners to quickly bring themselves up to speed and make informed decisions when choosing a main for online play.
  • The Heat Meter and Rage Arts are essential combat mechanics in Tekken 8. Timing the use of these powerful moves correctly can be the difference between winning and losing, and knowing opponents' move sets is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness.

For established fighting game franchises such as Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, the key to their longevity is their ability to evolve over long periods. Over the years, Tekken has proved its ability to do this just as well as its counterparts, consistently reinventing itself for each new generation. With the series now approaching 30 years old, Tekken 8 represents perhaps the biggest leap forward in the series since Tekken 3, with the implementation of new mechanics and systems that represent exciting new ways to play. Numerous unwritten rules will help players both old and new on their Tekken 8 journeys.

While the series has had something of a reputation for being more defensive than some of the others in the genre, Tekken 8 has a much bigger emphasis on aggressive play, disregarding all previous notions. This bold new approach adds speed and an increased sense of urgency that was occasionally lacking in previous installments. While mechanics such as air juggling are still super important, some of Tekken 8's new gameplay elements are designed to allow beginners to quickly bring themselves up to speed.

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Tekken 8 Has Several Unwritten Rules to Get to Grips With

Use Tekken 8's Offline Modes to Experiment With as Many Characters as Possible

For players who intend to fight online in Tekken 8, choosing a main is undoubtedly one of the most difficult decisions they'll have to make. Thankfully, the latest iteration of Tekken is by far the best at helping players make the right call, thanks to a suite of beginner and practice modes on offer. Players are able to put each character through their paces in various offline modes, from standard Arcade to more nuanced Practice modes, where players can even focus on specific moves they find difficult to pull off. The game also offers Ghost Battles, in which the latest AI technology is used to replicate the playstyles of real players. This is the closest a player can get to playing online, without actually battling real humans, so it is ideal for practicing.

The ability to quickly switch between characters in practice modes, as well as pinning specific move instructions to the screen rather than having to go into menus and move lists every minute or so, allows for a free-flowing form of practice that players will benefit from. It's no longer necessary to sink hours into a character to get a feel for their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, Tekken 8 also encourages players to learn the move set of their opponents, as well as their main. Knowing every opponent's move set inside out allows players to know exactly what to expect, whether they are up against a Tekken veteran like Paul Phoenix, or the mysterious newcomer, Reina.

The Heat Meter and Rage Arts Are Both Essential to Tekken 8's Combat

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Tekken 8 brings back Rage Arts, a mechanic where players close to death can trigger a powerful move to try and even the odds, and they are just as important now as in the game's predecessor. Using these Rage Arts is as simple as pressing a button, and timing them correctly can be the difference between winning and losing. Waiting for the opposition to attack before triggering the move is often the best way to ensure it isn't blocked.

Knowing every opponent's move set inside out allows players to know exactly what to expect, whether they are up against a Tekken veteran like Paul Phoenix, or the mysterious newcomer, Reina.

Heat is a new mechanic in Tekken 8, and is represented by a second meter underneath the health one. Players can trigger Heat once per round, and it allows for more powerful moves, as well as causing chip damage when the opponent blocks. Similarly to Rage Arts though, the opponent can block attacks while in Heat mode, so choosing the right time to trigger it is imperative. As players become more familiar with different characters' move sets, it will become more apparent how and when they should use Heat to maximize its effectiveness. Utilizing both tools effectively will help players emerge victorious more often.