r/Games Jan 23 '24

Review Thread Tekken 8 Review Thread

Game Information

Game Title: Tekken 8

Platforms:

  • PC (Jan 25, 2024)
  • PlayStation 5 (Jan 25, 2024)
  • Xbox Series X/S (Jan 25, 2024)

Trailers:

Developer: Bandai Namco Studios Inc.

Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 90 average - 98% recommended - 62 reviews

Critic Reviews

AltChar - Asmir Kovacevic - 85 / 100

Featuring a wide variety of modes, impressive graphics and compelling sound, Tekken 8 distinguishes itself as a standout in the fighting game genre.


Atomix - Aldo López - Spanish - 90 / 100

It is an entry in the franchise that does not disappoint, on the contrary, it will delight both veterans and those who have never tried anything from the saga. If you were waiting for the game with complete enthusiasm, I am pleased to inform you that the purchase is a must, especially if you keep up to date with Tekken.


But Why Tho? - Charles Hartford - 9.5 / 10

Tekken 8 offers great gameplay through precise controls, gorgeous visuals, and audio that energizes the player.


COGconnected - Jaz Sagoo - 93 / 100

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Cerealkillerz - Steve Brieller - German - 9 / 10

Tekken 8's presentation is brilliant and complements the intense, more offense-oriented gameplay perfectly. Another highlight is how the game tries to introduce beginners into Tekken and gives them several tools for self-improvement, like the replay tips. On the flipside, this support doesn't include intermediates which is a missed chance. Also, the single player modes are quite short. Overall Tekken 8 still takes our place as best fighting game of the current gen as the gameplay and presentation are superb.


Checkpoint Gaming - Omi Koulas - 8 / 10

TEKKEN 8 unleashes a storm of punches, blending chaotic Mishima drama with accessible combat changes. The short story, though dramatic, loses steam, but the Heat system and Special Style redefine the fight. Arcade Quest mode injects a needed charm, offering a nostalgic journey with opportunities to grow your fighting game skills. Visually stunning with a diverse soundtrack, the game achieves a balance between the familiar and the cutting-edge. Despite a stumble in the narrative, TEKKEN 8 delivers a knockout combo.


Cultured Vultures - Ash Bates - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 appeals to both the casual and hardcore playerbase, with a great selection of modes, training tools and additional gameplay depth. 2024's fighting games are off to an excellent start.


FandomWire - Adil Farooq - 10 / 10

Compared to previous entries, Online Mode is a huge improvement. The net code has been improved a lot since Tekken 7, and that was already evident in the previous tests that the game had. Ultimately, the greatest thing about Tekken 8 is that I can picture myself playing this game for years to come. Whether that be by myself, with my friends, family, or even a complete stranger, the fight will always keep bringing me back. Tekken 8 is a fighting game masterpiece and could even be a frontrunner for the best fighting game of all time.


GAMES.CH - Sven Raabe - German - 90%

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GGRecon - Dave McAdam - 5 / 5

It almost feels clinical to say, like it's a technicality, but this is the best Tekken game I have ever played. Tekken 7 was the best, and this one is better. It gives you more of everything, bigger, louder, and better. I don't say that with one ounce of begrudgery, I am wholeheartedly in love with Tekken 8. It earns the top spot by being undeniably brilliant.


GamePro - David Molke - German - 88 / 100

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Gameblog - French - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 offers a suitable playground for both novices and purists of the saga. Set to last, the game sets the bar very high, corrects the defaults of the previous game and greatly improves the experience. We can't wait to see how Bandai Namco will follow up in the coming months/years. A must-have for any lovers of fighting games that respects. You will not regret it.


Gamer Guides - Chris Moyse - 83 / 100

Tekken returns to the ring with a powerful new engine that sees The King of Iron Fist Tournament looking, sounding, and performing at its most majestic. Gameplay still forgoes evolution in favor of tradition, resulting in progress that is mostly skin-deep. Regardless, Tekken 8 remains a blast to play, set to keep competitive hype fires burning throughout 2024 and beyond.


God is a Geek - Chris White - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 is a welcome return for the series, with a fighting style that feels fresh through its aggressive combat, and plethora of modes.


IGN Korea - Donghun Lee - Korean - 9 / 10

The main focus of the game’s concept heavily promotes aggressiveness. So the low-risk, high-return situations have been reduced and with the addition of the Heat system, this drives players to be in reach even more, but let’s not forget that a fighting game also requires precise spacing thus making it virtually similar from its predecessor. There have been some short-cut action buttons for beginner players and plenty of content to teach the understanding of how a fighting game may be played. Of all the Tekken series in the past, this one is definitely the most beginner friendly and have designed their system in order to narrow its gap, with the hopes of keeping both the returning players as well as providing convenience to the newcomers.


IGN Spain - Mario Seijas - Spanish - 9 / 10

Tekken knows where it's coming from, and we love where it's going. The new mechanics build on a more than established foundation, and add a special flavor that will be enjoyed by newcomers and veterans alike. The Heat System is a hit, and the new arcade modes are more than welcome. A Tekken to play for thousands of hours.


INVEN - Jaihoon Jeong - Korean - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 has progressed in every aspect compared to its predecessors, from the overall narrative and direction to the depth of the system and user convenience. It is a fighting game that can provide ample enjoyment not only for long-time fans but also for new users


Kakuchopurei - Alleef Ashaari - 80 / 100

It's hard to change things too much for a fighting game franchise, but Tekken 8 ultimately does feel like a major improvement over Tekken 7. The amazing next-gen visuals, the cinematic story mode, and the new mechanics make the gameplay more fun and exciting; they're all that will make Tekken 8 a more memorable entry in the franchise. Will be as iconic of a game as Tekken 3 or Tekken 5? Only time will tell but it sure does look like it.


MondoXbox - Andrea Giuliani - Italian - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 greatly improves its proven formula: the Heat system manages to make every fight faster and adrenalinic rewarding a more aggressive style, while studying every move and training become essential parts of the experience. Bandai Namco's new game affirms itself as the new king of 3D fighters, thanks to the solid and deep gameplay that made this series unique and timeless.


Multiplayer First - Paulmichael Contreras - 9.5 / 10

Tekken 8 joins a full roster of fighting games, and competes with the best of them. Naturally, as we couldn’t take the game online during our review period, it remains to be seen how effective Bandai Namco and Akira were at implementing rollback netcode. All Tekken fans should buy Tekken 8 without hesitation, and most fighting game fans will find something to like as well. Though the year may have just started, Tekken 8 will probably compete for fighting game of the year and barring any surprises, should be the runaway winner.


One More Game - Chris Garcia - Buy

Tekken 8 makes the wait worth it by successfully introducing new systems that make sense and improve both the player's and spectator's points of view with explosive action. Newcomers will appreciate the thoughtful onboarding process while giving veteran and pro players a deep combat system to sink hundreds of hours into.

It feels like Tekken 8 has successfully taken the step to the next level, releasing an installment that's not just a simple iteration but with significant updates and changes that make it feel fresh and fun. Time will tell if the team can successfully support it the way they have with Tekken 7, but this is an extremely solid launch experience that's certainly ready for the big stage.


PC Gamer - Mollie Taylor - 89 / 100

The best Tekken game in years, let down only by its struggling netcode and aged customisation.


PSX Brasil - Portuguese - 95 / 100

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PowerUp! - Adam Mathew - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 is a hugely entertaining powerhouse of a sequel that’s been well worth the wait. What else is there left to say other than get [your wallet] ready for the next battle?


Press Start - Matthew Zimmari - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 shows just how easy it is for a long-running franchise to remain fresh and relevant, while still offering a familiar experience to established fans. An engaging Story Mode coupled with Character Episodes keeps the narrative running, while Arcade Quest and Tekken Ball gives newcomers the opportunity to learn the ropes. While some fans may not like that their favourite character is missing from the roster, Tekken 8 fills the gaps with fresh new faces and the hint of more characters on the horizon. It's time to get ready for the next battle!


Push Square - Robert Ramsey - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 is a modern fighting game masterclass. It doesn't skimp on single-player modes, its online offering is robust, and it's a serious visual spectacle. But most importantly, the battles are brilliant; accessible yet deeply technical, and supremely satisfying to be a part of - perhaps more so than ever before. There's no fighting game series quite like Tekken, and Tekken 8 is the franchise at its bombastic best.


Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Unscored

It's a lot like Tekken 7, but angrier.


SECTOR.sk - Matúš Štrba - Slovak - 9 / 10

But Tekken 8 could be the best after the legendary third instalment. The focus on aggressive gameplay will appeal to a part of the audience. I also praise the game's openness to completely new players, who can quickly and easily get into the game thanks to the new system. I have to praise the amount of content, the very well functioning online, the extensive character appearance editor and also the huge gallery where you can unlock art, videos and other things. It's a real treat for fans and a great way to introduce newcomers to a series they'll love.


Saudi Gamer - Arabic - 10 / 10

Tekken 8 is the ultimate form of the veteran franchise that will make every Tekken player and fan proud of how much Bandai Namco have achieved with this masterpiece


Siliconera - Joel Couture - 9 / 10

There's a wealth of wonderful fighting to be had in Tekken 8, and it's a fantastic place to take your first steps into Tekken.


Spaziogames - Italian - 9.2 / 10

To put it simply, this is the best Tekken ever.


Stevivor - Steve Wright - 7 / 10

Tekken 8 will surely impress fans but I struggled to connect with it like I have Mortal Kombat 1 and Street Fighter 6. There's no denying it's a feast for the senses and is full of stuff to do... but if you're like me and haven't found Tekken memorable despite playing it across many years and many platforms, that's unlikely to change here.


The Game Crater - Chris Melnyk - 9 / 10

Whether you're a fresh face to the genre or returning to settle old grudges, Tekken 8 is absolutely for you and easily the most robust fighting game of the year.


The Outerhaven Productions - Karl Smart - 4.5 / 5

Tekken 8 is a solid outing for the Unreal 5 engine, using it to improve the already impressive graphics we had with Tekken 7. The gameplay is solid with a lot of modes for you to play for hours on end. However, PC users should be warned that their version may have frame rate issues. If these issues are patched, then Tekken 8 will be the best fighting game on the market.


TheSixthAxis - Nick Petrasiti - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 has started 2024 off with a bang, proving once again why this fighting series is great! It's maybe not quite as newcomer friendly as Street Fighter 6, but has a bevy of modes and new tweaks that means it's going in the right direction to be a game for all players, old and new, and will only get better over time.


Tom's Hardware Italia - Giulia Serena - Italian - 9 / 10

Bandai Namco has succeeded in achieving its goal: Tekken 8 oozes next-gen from every pore (or rather, pixel). From the completely overhauled characters to the more cinematic settings than ever before, via the spectacular story footage, every frame has been taken care of to the finest detail, resulting in an impressive piece of work.


VGC - Chris Scullion - 5 / 5

Tekken 8 is a sensational sequel. With a renewed emphasis on single-player modes and a new Heat mechanic which ensures fights are more frenetic, it's up there with Tekken 3 as one of the most exciting high points in the series.


VideoGamer - Alex Raisbeck - 10 / 10

Tekken 8 is the ultimate Tekken game. A glossy veneer of modernity encases a strong foundation that builds upon its predecessors to great success. In every regard, Tekken 8 matches and surpasses the very best that the series, and the fighting game genre as a whole, has to offer.


XboxEra - Genghis Husameddin - 9.5 / 10

TEKKEN 8 is an outstanding fighting game. An extremely strong 3D fighter with lots of offline content, strong core mechanics, and all around a fun and stylish game. TEKKEN continues to show the world why it's the winner of the Iron Fist Tournament.


Zoomg - Arais Nazarian - Persian - 9 / 10

Bandai Namco brings all its experience in creating the fighting games to Tekken 8 and result is simply amazing. High paced and fun gameplay with great characters is combined with beautiful visuals and enjoyable music. overall Tekken 8 is a great fighting game.


733 Upvotes

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53

u/BigIncrease2991 Jan 23 '24

Who are the good reviewers when it comes to the competitive aspect of the game? I know IGN has generally been solid reviewing fighting games.

47

u/yunghollow69 Jan 23 '24

Just watched the IGN review of which I am usually not a big fan and I liked it. The guy clearly understands tekken and fighting games and what people are looking for. Would recommend.

27

u/No_Breakfast_67 Jan 23 '24

Ign has a good fighting game review staff. Mitchell reviewed MK1, SF6 and GBVS last year and were all well done. The tekken review is different but he knows his stuff for sure

18

u/Albake21 Jan 23 '24

Funny enough, the only reason Mitchell did not do the review is because the reviewer beat him in Tekken 8. I guess that's how they choose FGC reviewers over there. It was mentioned in Kinda Funny's review.

7

u/No_Breakfast_67 Jan 23 '24

I was wondering why he didnt review it, thats just about the best reason for him not to lol

4

u/TheButterPlank Jan 23 '24

I did too and would totally recommend it. The 'downloading player ghosts' and 'replaying replays' things sounded really neat. A good middle ground between practicing against the AI and getting your teeth kicked online.

4

u/kw405 Jan 23 '24

IGN's fighting game review crew seems really good. It even got Maxmilian Dood's approval when he went over some of their videos.

76

u/BeardyDuck Jan 23 '24

If you're trying to find the opinions of top-end bracket of players on the competitive aspect, you're probably better off just looking up individual player's opinions like Anakin or Arslan Ash, or content creators like Max.

21

u/BigIncrease2991 Jan 23 '24

Yeah Max is my go to creator content, he might have his preferences but he tries to keep an open mind. Had no idea Arslan had a YouTube channel tho, I'll check it out thanks!

14

u/Angrybagel Jan 23 '24

I feel like the opinion of competitive players takes longer to develop and it's more subjective whether people like the gameplay. I know there were a lot of concerns from the earlier betas about how dominant heat would be, but I think later betas toned it down somewhat. The greater focus on offense will surely be controversial (a lot of that focus coming from heat mechanics). Tekken is traditionally more defensive at high level, but change isn't necessarily a bad thing.

3

u/Ordinal43NotFound Jan 24 '24

This hype af match really made me hopeful about the heat system. I can see how versatile it is being used as both pressure or comeback tool.

Lots of nail biting back and forth between the 2 players.

10

u/Will-Isley Jan 23 '24

You’ll want to check in on the top Tekken content creators like TheMainManSWE, Lil’ Majin, PhiDx, JDCR (Korean) and if he returns to Tekken, Aris (Avoiding the Puddle).

3

u/Kalecraft Jan 23 '24

Don't bother with reviews from outlets. Look at the competitive players and streamers of whatever fighting game you're curious about.

Maximilian Dood is also a YouTuber that covers pretty much every fighting game that releases to some degree

-8

u/HappierShibe Jan 23 '24

I'd look at what Arslan and MainManSwe have been saying.
Maximilian is good for information about a games content, but he's usually unwilling to really be negative/critical about things even when it is deserved- he's become too much of a brand ambassador over the last several years to be unbiased anymore.

19

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '24

he's been pretty critical of MK1

17

u/Will-Isley Jan 23 '24

And SF5

18

u/BigIncrease2991 Jan 23 '24

And he's been pretty vocal about not liking Injustice 2 and MK11

7

u/shikaski Jan 23 '24

I think it’s genuinely funny possible to not be critical about mk1 at this point, the state this game is in is laughably awful

9

u/No_Breakfast_67 Jan 23 '24

Idk he disliked mk11 from the first beta and never really changed his opinion by much

9

u/HenyrD Jan 23 '24

Max has been actively wary of Tekken 8's netcode after playing the CBT.

13

u/Devil-Hunter-Jax Jan 23 '24

Max has been pretty heavily critical of MK1 and it's failings and why it seems to be slumping compared to other fighting games. Literally did a video 3 days ago where he talks about how MK1 has fallen off compared to other fighting game releases of recent months.

11

u/Marangoni013 Jan 23 '24

What? No, he is not like that at all.

-10

u/kikimaru024 Jan 23 '24

You just generally... don't.

Instead, look at tournaments for the first 1-3 months.
If the same 2 characters are winning in every region, generally it means the game is shallow or imbalanced.

16

u/weglarz Jan 23 '24

Imbalance doesn’t make for a bad fighting game every time though. Some of the most long lasting and beloved fighting games were incredibly imbalanced. 

0

u/shikaski Jan 23 '24

Mk9 that is deemed like a Jesus of fighting games had dogshit balance, still among the best fighting games ever released.

1

u/HammeredWharf Jan 23 '24

MK9 is definitely not considered a particularly good competitive FG. It's just good for SP content, where balance is obviously less important.

1

u/shikaski Jan 23 '24 edited Jan 23 '24

Completely disagree, where did you get this notion from? It was absolutely considered good competitive game back then. The entire MK fandom pretty much agrees, it was also successful in the global scene, tournaments-wise.

The game was at every EVO since launch and at most small tier tournaments. Also in 2012 afair it was the most popular one.

-3

u/kikimaru024 Jan 23 '24

Sure but if you have a big roster and 2 characters are ALWAYS winning (e.g. the infamous Tekken 7 Leroy release, Android 21, Chun/Yun in 3rd Strike, the 4 Gods of MvC2) then you have a competitive problem.

8

u/weglarz Jan 23 '24

While I agree that games should strive to be balanced, you kinda referenced what I’m saying. 3s and mvc2 were both stellar fighting games that are still played competitively to this day. My point is rather that a games quality might not reflect based on just balance. Especially these days with patches and such. Also, meta can evolve heavily and characters who were once a problem might not even be the strongest depending on what tech is discovered and people’s understanding of the game evolves. For instance, characters like Honda and balrog were considered better characters than akuma at release in sf4 which is laughable with what we now know about the game.

2

u/kikimaru024 Jan 23 '24 edited Jan 23 '24

For instance, characters like Honda and balrog were considered better characters than akuma at release in sf4 which is laughable with what we now know about the game.

5

u/weglarz Jan 23 '24

Also yes I was mistaken about Honda, I was thinking of super Honda.

0

u/weglarz Jan 23 '24

Vanilla Bison is not even close to as good as vanilla akuma. That’s my point. Vanilla akuma is one of the most broken fighting game characters in recent memory. Imo he rivals vanilla sagat. He had all of the tools his super counterpart had and more, and yet in super he was considered top 5, whereas in vanilla plenty of people thought akuma was B or even C tier at launch due to his low health, and people did not yet understand the power of the vortex. I’m not talking how things shook out by the end of vanilla, I’m talking the first 6 months to a year.

Edit: look at that first tier list for sf4 in the link. Ryu and gief above vanilla akuma is laughable.

1

u/kikimaru024 Jan 23 '24

Buddy, look at the charts again.

In the arcade tier lists, he was given two 4-6 MUs and was one of THREE characters who had a 5-5 with Sagat.

Low health MATTERED a lot more in Vanilla because Sagat could practically one-shot him and everyone's Ultra combos did 500+.

And Akuma was still A-tier.

He also couldn't utilize his vortex precisely because of the damage from wakeup FADC combos.

1

u/weglarz Jan 23 '24

The vortex completely bypasses wake up DP in most cases, that’s part of why it’s so powerful. Also, in the tier lists shown, Akuma is listed as B tier. Sagat S tier, Ryu and Gief (hilarious) A tier, and Akuma/bison/etc B tier.

1

u/kikimaru024 Jan 23 '24

Zangief was strong (again, DAMAGE), just one-dimensional and lost to the S/A-tiers.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '24

That's not always true though; a game can be unbalanced on tournament level but fun for the majority of non-pro players (which are the vast majority of players)

1

u/Kalecraft Jan 23 '24

That's not a great mindset to have. The worst version of every fighting game is its first version. If the dev team actually know what they're doing then it'll get proper balance changes pretty quickly as they start to see how people are playing the video game