Harada conversed with Shuhei Yoshida, the head of the independent developer initiative at Sony Interactive Entertainment, in an episode filmed before Tekken 8’s release. The latest mainline title sold two million copies within its first three weeks, which brings the total series sales to over 57 million. However, Bandai Namco hasn’t officially announced the milestone.

Some other interesting bits revealed during the podcast include Europe encompassing 51 percent of total sales for the series, followed by the United States at about 30 percent. He also reaffirmed that Tekken 7 had sold 11 million copies (the official figure is over 11.8 million sold as of February 2024).

Tekken 8 is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Check out our review here.

Story Mode Scale

The Tekken series is known for its long-running story, to the extent that it holds a Guinness World Record for the same. Tekken 7 isn’t too shabby with its Story Mode length – HowLongtoBeat places it at about 3.5 hours on average if you focus on the main story and about 10 hours when including the extras. Tekken 8 aims to offer more volume with its story, to the extent that development producer and game director Kohei Ikeda was shocked at the sheer amount when speaking to Famitsu.

While the main story focuses on the war between Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, Bandai Namco also confirmed “separate character episodes,” which offer “more insight” into each fighter’s story. Those new to Tekken and understandably lost shouldn’t worry, as Tekken 8 also includes story digests for each title.

Engines

Tekken 7 is developed on Unreal Engine 4 and looks pretty good considering its age, but Tekken 8 blows it out of the water completely. Developed on Unreal Engine 5, it doesn’t utilize any assets from Tekken 7. Even crazier is how effects like rain, dirt and sweat are now dynamically depicted instead of being simple parameters.

As series producer Katsuhiro Harada describes it, “Tekken 7 had something that appeared similar; that when the character fell down or during the battle, they would appear to be sweating or something. But that was just a parameter in the game in how it was displayed. It’s actually the first time we’re taking rain and outside effects and having that effect of rolling down the character models. And not just that, but when they fall on the ground, their clothing gets dirty as a result. So you can see the kind of results of the battle on the character models.”

Stage Destruction

Stage destruction is already a thing in Tekken 7, like causing the floor to collapse or breaking barriers to descend to the next level. While still very much a thing in Tekken 8 (with stages also having different times of day), it can be more over-the-top, especially if your opponent triggers an explosive and is sent sky-high. There’s also more of a cinematic flair in some transitions, like Azucena’s, adding much more to the presentation as characters react to the crumbling environment.

Launch Rosters

Tekken 7 launched with 36 characters, including Street Fighter’s Akuma and nine brand-new fighters. By comparison, Tekken 8 launches with 32 characters, which includes newcomers like Azucena, Victor Chevalier and Reina. Returning characters include the likes of Jin Kazama, Bryan Fury, Ling Xiaoyu, Steve Fox, Paul Phoenix, Nina Williams, Asuka Kazama and many more.

Arcade Quest

Tekken 7 had Treasure Battle, a mode where you fought against CPU opponents for cosmetics. Tekken 8’s Arcade Quest is more than just an additional mode, though – it’s a full-fledged story where you customize an avatar and embark on a journey through arcades to become the best. You have a crew to play with, who also offer tips on improving, but you’ll eventually encounter tougher opponents and rivals.

New cosmetics and customization options are earned by playing through the mode and completing challenges. Along with mirroring the glory days of arcade competition, it provides extensive tutorials for new players to learn the game. The jury is still out on whether Tekken 8 has a regular Arcade Mode where you face a string of CPU opponents, so stay tuned.

Heat System

Tekken 8’s combat system is focused on “aggression”, illustrated best by the Heat System. After using a Heat Burst attack or Heat Engager, your character enters the Heat State. Lasting ten seconds in each round, it grants access to Heat Smash (more on that shortly) and Heat Dash (where you can dash forward and follow up with combos). The amount of Heat Gauge available can also differ, with a Heat Burst only offering 70 percent while a Heat Engager provides the full bar.

Rage Drive is Out, Heat Smash is In

While Rage Arts are still present and available when dropping below 25 percent health, the Rage Drive is gone, replaced with the new Heat Smash, which consumes all your Heat energy for a powerful attack in the Heat State. It’s good for potentially turning the tides, but you may end up whiffing and wasting the Heat Gauge (which could have been used for combo extension instead).

Recoverable Health and Chip Damage Changes

To fit into the more aggressive style of play, recoverable health from Tekken Tag Tournament makes a return. However, it’s only recovered on successful attacks, even if an opponent blocks. Chip damage comes into play as well. Some attacks still deal chip damage to blocking opponents, but now attacks in the Heat State can dish out the same.

Special Style

While Tekken 7 sticks to the traditional layout, Tekken 8 adds an option to help newer players. Like Street Fighter 6’s Modern Controls, Special Style maps commands and combos to specific buttons, making them easier to execute. For example, instead of pressing commands for air combos, you only have to press Y on Xbox or Triangle on PS5, which changes with different directional inputs.

You can also switch between Special and Traditional Styles by pressing the Left Bumper or L1 in fights. While you could think of it as similar to the Easy Combos and Assists from Tekken 7, the development team considers it a way for players to learn the game’s mechanics while familiarizing themselves with a fighter’s main moves.

My Replay and Tips Changes

Another feature that can help new and experienced Tekken players is My Replay and Tips, introduced in Tekken 7’s second season. However, Tekken 8 lets you try real-time inputs in a ten-second window. Battle tuning director Jun Yasuda explained to VG247, “You just look at the replay, and the computer tells you exactly what you’re doing wrong, and then it allows you to practice on the spot. It’s so much easier and low-effort compared to anything in the past.”

Director Kohei Ikeda also felt that it offers a “less intensive” play cycle for those seeking to improve. “Having advice and being able to practice your options on the spot… That’s probably the most effective and optimal way to improve as a player. And so, we’re hoping people will use this tool efficiently to get better in their real matches.”

Fight Lounge

Another new addition to the series is the Fight Lounge, where your custom avatar ventures into a 3D arcade to partake in Quick Matches, Ranked play and more with other players. You can interact with them, check their profiles, spectate fights, visit the customization shop or chill out on the beach. Match Anywhere allows for setting connection quality, skill range, cross-play and whatnot while you explore or practice. Like Arcade Quest and Street Fighter 6’s Battle Hub, it mimics the feel of being in an actual arcade.

Rollback Netcode and Crossplay

Tekken 7’s netcode is one of its more controversial aspects over the years. Players asked for rollback netcode, and Harada finally clarified that it does have rollback, which was then disputed, and so on. Rollback netcode is coming to Tekken 8, and though we need to wait for the game’s release to see how it holds up, there’s also cross-platform multiplayer, allowing players across consoles and PC to compete against each other online.

Super Ghost Battle

Challenging regular AI can be fun at first but eventually grows tiresome. So why not battle against AI Ghosts of pro players, or those you meet online, or against yourself? That’s what Super Ghost Battle in Tekken 8 has to offer. As players partake in fights, their Ghosts will pick up on their behavior. On top of allowing players to measure their skills against the best in the world, it’s also great for analyzing your behavior and tendencies. Also, with Ghosts constantly learning, you can be assured of different battles down the line, even against the same opponents.

Tekken Ball Returns

After an overwhelmingly long absence from the series, Tekken Ball finally returns in Tekken 8. Available in the new Fight Lounge, where players can compete online, it features the same classic gameplay with two fighters striking a beach ball back and forth to damage each other. There are even new ball designs, from a shiny grey sheen to a globe.

PC Requirements

The astronomical bump in visual quality means Tekken 8 has more demanding PC requirements than Tekken 7, but how much more? You need 100 GB for the former, compared to 60 GB for the latter. Tekken 7 also requires an Intel Core i3-4160 3.60GHz or equivalent CPU, 6 GB RAM and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 2GB, GTX 750 Ti 2GB, or similar GPU at the very minimum. Its recommended requirements include a Core i5-4690 3.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM and GeForce GTX 1060 or higher.

Meanwhile, Tekken 8’s minimum requirements include a Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 8 GB RAM and a GTX 1050 Ti or Radeon R9 380X. The recommended requirements include a Core i7-7700K or Ryzen 5 2600, 16 GB RAM and RTX 2070 or Radeon RX 5700 XT. Not too shabby and still very much accessible for those still rocking the GTX 1060.

Here’s the complete list of fighting games that will be headlining Evo 2023:

• Street Fighter 6 – PS4
• Guilty Gear Strive – PS4
• Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate – PS4
• Tekken 7 – PS4
• The King of Fighters 15 – PS4
• Melty Blood Type Lumina – PS4
• Dragon Ball FighterZ – PS4
• Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 – PS4

According to Evo general manager Rick Thiher, the minimum prize pool for each of the games will be $25,000, with the more popular games likely having larger prize pools.

Aside from enjoying watching professionals play fighting games, it is also often worth watching Evo as that is when we typically get new announcements for upcoming fighting games, as well as announcements regarding future content for older fighting games.

Series director Katsuhiro Harada recently took to Twitter and announced that Bandai Namco’s fighter has now sold over 10 million copies worldwide, up from the 9 million figure reported in June. Additionally, the Tekken franchise’s total sales have now exceeded 54 million units worldwide, which is up from 53 million units.

Tekken 8’s recent gameplay showing focused primarily on the game’s story, while also featuring several familiar characters, including the likes of Kazuya Mishima, Jun Kazama, Law, Lars, Paul, King, and Jack-8. The game is being developed for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC using Unreal Engine 5. Bandai Namco has said that it could potentially launch in 2023.

"TEKKEN7" had achieved Over 10 million sales.
and Recorded Over 54 million copies sales for the series.
Thank you for your continued support!

「鉄拳７」の実販売数が1000万本を突破しました(シリーズ累計は5400万本超)、皆様に感謝いたします.#TEKKEN #TEKKEN7 #鉄拳 pic.twitter.com/qxJlHl0Uk0

— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) December 11, 2022

Poor Netcode

Over the past few years, the demand for rollback netcode has steadily grown among fighting game fans. Arc System Works implemented the same for titles like Guilty Gear Strive and older games like BlazBlue Centralfiction, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax with Dragon Ball FighterZ and Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 still to come. Even the controversial Street Fighter 5 hopped on the bandwagon and added rollback netcode, and Street Fighter 6 is building its netcode from scratch to ensure the best experience.

Throughout all this, producer Katsuhiro Harada revealed that Tekken 7 had rollback netcode. It’s all well and good, but unfortunately, the implementation leaves much to be desired. With Tekken 8, hopefully, there are some improvements, if not a wholesale revamp.

Tekken 7-Style Movement

There’s a wide range of opinions on the movement in Tekken 7. Some like that you don’t need to perform complex button inputs for backdashing. Others feel that the tracking on attacks is strong while sidestepping isn’t as good as previous entries. You could interpret this as ideal for newcomers or argue it as being bad for the overall game since throwing strings is more effective than using core movement techniques that have been in the series for decades. Perhaps there’s a balance between the ability to evade attacks and having good attacking tracking, where backdash abuse isn’t the only way to win at the highest level. Time will ultimately tell but changes need to happen.

Near Endless Combos

Combos are essential to fighting games, but what happens when they get a little too long and deal too much damage? Tekken 7 has combos that seemingly go on forever, taking opponents from 100 to 0 in short order due to their damage output. You could argue that mastering these combos is one of the major appeals of a fighting game, and titles like Guilty Gear Strive initially attracted flak for streamlining combos. It’s a delicate balance where you want to reward skill but also ensure that things don’t get too crazy.

Insane Wall Carry For All Characters

Wall Carry is a fighting game mechanic where certain moves or combos can push an opponent back into a wall, which could end in a Wall Splat. Of course, it’s most effective in arenas with walls nearby. In Tekken 7, certain characters were better than others at Wall Carrying opponents, which helped distinguish them. However, somewhere along the way, Wall Carries got buffed to a ridiculous point. Jin and Fahkumram are now as effective at Wall Carry as Dragunov, Nina and Leo.

While one could argue that Wall Carry has been good since Season 1, it’s only improved further, and the increase to combo damage and generally small scale of stages hasn’t helped either, allowing characters to go wall to wall with little issue. Even if Tekken 8 tones down the damage and length of its combos, Wall Carry should be tuned accordingly to avoid such situations. Of course, having bigger stages also wouldn’t hurt.

Limited Customization (With RNG)

Customizing your character in Tekken can be fun, but Tekken 7 was a noticeable step down in terms of options for clothes and hairstyles at launch. While returning fighters could have their legacy outfits unlocked, you had to go through Treasure Battle for some outfits. The worst part? It was purely RNG – you may get outfits for several characters instead of the one you’re currently playing. Even if you enjoy Treasure Battle, it gets mind-numbing after a while. It would also be nice to get more free customization sets alongside those included in the Season Passes.

Poor Anti-Cheat

Cheating ruins the integrity of any competitive multiplayer title, and fighting games are no exception. To that end, Tekken 7’s anti-cheat leaves much to be desired. Content creator K-Wiss told VG247 earlier this month about encountering a cheater nearly every day during Season 4, and tools that can automatically block attacks and quickly break throws are still available. Hilariously, your online rank data is saved locally on your system, leading to PC players simply save-scumming in case of a loss. These things need to be fixed for Tekken 8 to have an ideal online experience.

Story-Telling

Listen, we get it – Tekken is the record holder for the longest-running story in a video game series by far. Understandably, you want a story mode, and plenty of games can do it right. But Tekken 7’s story wasn’t very good. The choice, then, is to either hire a better writer and potentially start from square one instead of trying to keep tying things together endlessly or go back to Tekken 3’s awesome Arcade Mode.

It offered distinct paths and opponents for each character along with separate endings, ranging from cool to hilarious. While Bandai Namco no doubt wants to keep the Mishima saga going (as Tekken 8’s announcement trailer showcased), it’s probably better to go with a different story structure.

Rage Arts

Introduced in Tekken 7, Rage Arts are powerful moves that can disrupt your opponent mid-combo. They’re only activated when at 25 percent health and can deal crazy amounts of damage depending on the player’s health. It’s a comeback mechanic and hilarious in how quickly it can turn the tide of a fight. While comeback mechanics are nothing new in fighting games, Rage Arts are excruciatingly drawn out rather than being snappy across the board. If they return, tuning the damage and making them a bit more challenging to perform would also be ideal.

Frame Counter DLC

Tekken 7 caught a lot of negative feedback when it decided to make the Frame Counter into paid DLC. Not only because it was introduced several years into the game’s release, but because such a feature should be free (especially when it’s vital to competitive play). Look at games like Guilty Gear Strive, which provided Frame Data for free, or even the upcoming Street Fighter 6, which completely revamps the original Frame Counter and includes it in the game. Locking it and potentially other vital features behind a paywall is something that shouldn’t happen again.

Only Treasure Battle

Treasure Battle was a good enough concept, providing random-ish battles for players to clear and earn cosmetic rewards from. It could get stale though, and the lack of other offline modes didn’t help. To that end, it’s probably better to keep Treasure Battle (or a similar mode) in Tekken 8 while having some returning modes for players. Bring back Tekken Force or Scenario Campaign for a fun beat ’em up style mode. Reintroduce Tekken Ball for more zany fun. Add Team Battles, Survival Mode, and some actual tutorials to get players into the game or include the old Tekken titles for fun. Yes, multiplayer is where it’s at, but that’s no excuse to skimp on the offline features.

Interestingly, Harada confirms that Tekken 8, which is being built on Unreal Engine 5 (as opposed to Tekken 7, which used UE4), doesn’t reuse any of the assets – environments, objects, character models, what have you – from its predecessor, and has instead been built entirely from scratch. Harada says that “all the models and everything from Tekken 7 have been totally discarded” for its upcoming sequel.

He went on to explain that while Tekken 7 had a few effects similar to what Tekken 8 boasts, they were scripted in-game parameters rather than actual dynamic effects.

“Tekken 7 had something that appeared similar; that when the character fell down or during the battle, they would appear to be sweating or something,” Harada said. “But that was just a parameter in the game in how it was displayed. This is actually the first time that we’re taking rain and outside effects and having that effect of rolling down the characters models. And not just that, but when they fall down on the ground, their clothing gets dirty as a result. So you can see the kind of results of the battle on the character models.”

Tekken 8 is in development for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It doesn’t yet have a release date.

More importantly, the publisher also featured a short tease at the end of its update trailer. It sees Kazuya Mishima dropping his father, Heihachi, off a cliff after defeating him. The scene then shifts to a new render of Kazuya with the words “Get ready.” This may be the first of many teases for the next Tekken game, though whether it will be Tekken 8 or even Tekken Tag Tournament 3 remains to be seen.

Tekken 7 was first released in 2015 for arcades before coming to PS4, PC, and Xbox One on June 2nd 2017. It’s received four Season Passes till now with 15 DLC characters and six stages. Stay tuned for further updates in the meantime.

First released in October 2015 for arcades before coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC in June 2017, Tekken 7 offers several new mechanics like Rage Art, Power Crush and Screw Hits. It launched with 36 characters, including Street Fighter’s Akuma, and several more were added through DLC over the years. The current roster sits at 54 characters.

You can check out our review for the base game here. Tekken 7 recently tied up with Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown for a Collaboration Pack. This adds several Tekken 7 character costumes to the latter along with BGM tracks, a Tekken 7 battle interface and more. It’s out later today for PS4.

"TEKKEN7" had achieved Over 9 million sales (The highest record in the series).
and Recorded Over 53 million copies sales for the series.

「鉄拳７」実販売数がシリーズ過去最高となる900万本を突破しました(シリーズ累計は5300万本超)、皆様に感謝いたします.#TEKKEN #TEKKEN7 #鉄拳 pic.twitter.com/mtOUaUtzHe

— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) June 1, 2022

Along with 19 character costumes that provide the appearance of legendary Tekken 7 fighters, there are also 20 background music tracks, a Tekken 7 battle user interface and two collaboration titles. Even the theme has been remade specifically for this Collaboration Pack. Note that character customization is disabled when using Tekken 7 costumes.

Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown is available for the PS4 – check out our official review here to learn more. As for Tekken 7, it’s playable on Xbox One, PS4 and PC with numerous DLC characters, stages and updates added since its 2015 launch. Read our review here for more details.

Shenmue 3

Much like its predecessors, Shenmue 3 has its fair share of imperfections. Nevertheless, its combat – which once again takes cues from Virtua Fighter – is still kind of fun, whether you’re carefully dodging attacks or using Skills to decimate foes. Perhaps the most enjoyable part is the training as you practice with wooden dummies, discover Skill Books and study under other martial artists. It’s like a proper arc where Ryo slowly but surely becomes stronger (not strong enough to beat Lan-Di but still).