With Street Fighter 6, Mortal Kombat 1, and now Tekken 8 all in the span of 6 months… It’s truly a great time to be a fighting game fan.
And you have to admit– each of these franchises has come a long way since the arcades they originated in. Now can we get a remake of Killer Instinct next?? But I digress…
Here are 5 things you need to know before your “fist meets fate” in Tekken 8.
Tekken 8 Release Date and Platforms
Release Date: January 26, 2024
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
The next chapter of one of the most legendary fighting game franchises of all time is here. Vivid environments, redesigned character animations, ultra-detailed models, destructible environments and more will redefine fighting games as we know them.
The Heat System Will Change Everything
One of the most groundbreaking new features in Tekken 8 is the introduction of the Heat System; which revolutionizes the way players of all skill levels approach every blow of every fight.
As characters engage in combat, they accumulate “Heat”, a resource that can be strategically utilized to enhance special moves or unlock powerful Heat-based techniques. This new mechanic encourages players to carefully manage their Heat levels, introducing a risk-reward dynamic to each match. Balancing aggression with tactical decision-making becomes crucial, as players must decide whether to unleash a devastating Heat-powered attack or conserve their accumulated Heat for a strategic advantage later in the fight.
Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate Edition | Which Is the Best?
Standard Edition
The Standard Edition of Tekken 8 provides access to the core game; delivering the full Tekken 8 experience with its cutting-edge graphics, expanded character roster, and revamped gameplay mechanics. If you pre-order any of the editions, you’ll also unlock the following:
- Paul Phoenix Avatar Costume Set
- Mokujin & Tetsujin Avatar Skins (PlayStation Exclusive)
Deluxe Edition
For enthusiasts seeking additional content, most notably the Year 1 Pass, the Deluxe Edition is the way to go:
- Playable Character Year 1 Pass (4 additional playable characters)
- Kinjin Avatar Skin
- Gold Suit Pack
Ultimate Edition
The Ultimate Edition of Tekken 8 expands on the benefits of the Deluxe Edition with a few more exclusive goodies– delivering what some might call… the “ultimate” experience:
- Playable Character Year 1 Pass (4 additional playable characters)
- Kinjin Avatar Skin
- Gold Suit Pack
- Classic Tekken T-Shirt Avatar Costume Set
- Kazuya Mishima, Jin Kazama, & Jun Kazama Avatar Skins
Will Tekken 8 Have Crossplay Support?
Crossplay? Of course I will.
BTW
When the previous generation consoles were released, I had already proposed crossplay between the two platformers. However, at that time, they were at odds with each other over their mutual interests (and P2P security issue) & repeatedly refused. https://t.co/I8b38YfePh— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) April 9, 2023
Yes. As game Director Katsuhiro Harada puts it: “of course it will.” Tekken 8 will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC– and crossplay is 100% confirmed.
Tekken 8 Confirmed Roster (+ First DLC Character Revealed)
The Tekken 8 Year One Pass is your ticket to unlocking 4 additional playable characters post launch. Publisher Bandai Namco recently revealed that the first of these new characters will be Eddy Gordo– the classic Capoeira master from Tekkens of old. Make sure you’ll have access to the Year 1 Pass by picking up the Deluxe or Ultimate editions of the game (as detailed above).
The other three upcoming fighters are still a mystery; but until then, there’s a roster of over 30 other characters from Tekken’s multi-decade history to master. Here they are:
- Reina
- Victor Chevalier
- Panda
- Zafina
- Lee Chaolan
- Alisa Bosconovitch
- Devil Jin
- Feng Wei
- Dragunov
- Shaheen
- Steve Fox
- Leo
- Yoshimitsu
- Kuma
- Azucena
- Raven
- Jin Kazama
- Kazuya Mishima
- Paul Phoenix
- Marshall Law
- Nina Williams
- Jack-8
- King
- Lars Alexandersson
- Jun Kazama
- Ling Xiaoyu
- Asuka Kazama
- Leroy Smith
- Lili
- Bryan Fury
- Hwoarang
Find pre-order deals on upcoming new releases right here; and check out these posts on The Best New Games in January and The Most Anticipated Games of 2024 for for more great titles to play.
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