Bandai Namco are committed to onboarding new fighters in Tekken 8, hence the inclusion of some wholesale updates like the new ‘Special Style’ input method. New gameplay systems like Heat plus tweaks to the existing Rage System round out what seems a very promising entry in this famous fighting series. But there’s more. Let’s check out 10 new gameplay additions in Tekken 8.
Heat System
Tekken 8’s innovative feature and the prime example behind the series’ drive for a more aggressive fighting experience is the new Heat System. The intention is to make fighting with your main as entertaining as possible, enhancing the characteristics you’re already familiar with, and enriching the experience as a result.
So, what is it? Well, Heat is a brief unleash-able moment when an attacker gains overwhelming power, buffing the properties of their specific manoeuvres with effects varying depending on the character. Heat status is represented by the blue timer bar beneath a fighters’ health and can be triggered via two specific commands. Worth pointing out is Heat can only be activated once per round, adding a tactical edge to every bout; fighters need to choose the most opportune moment or risk wasting their power advantage.
Activating Heat
Entering Heat State in Tekken 8 can be achieved in two ways. The first is Heat Burst, effectively a smash attack that can be unleashed mid-combo and is the more accessible entryway to Heat of the two commands. Simply smacking R1 sets up the attack. Heat Burst is active for 10 seconds, giving ample time for even novice players to deal huge damage.
The more technical of the two Heat State activations is Heat Engager, and the set of moves required to activate this status varies character to character. It’s a more challenging manoeuvre to pull off as unlike Heat Burst that can be activated at any given time Heat Engager requires the attacker to be already pummelling their opponent. Immediately after a Heat Engager attack lands, fighters will rush towards their fallen opponent, grab a hint of frame advantage, and be free to continue pummelling to their heart’s content.
Moves to use during Heat
There are a couple of extra manoeuvres fighters can execute to get the most of out of the Heat System. The first, Heat Dash, is the ultimate combo extender. It is most effective if activated during a Heat Engager move as it leaves opponents exposed to more damage by allowing Heat engaged fighters chance to rush towards them, keeping their combo going. Heat Dash can still be activated even if a Heat Engager move is being guarded, giving fighters chance to maximise aggression and maintain the advantage. The other, Heat Smash, is effectively a replacement for Tekken 7’s Rage Drive. It’s an opportunity to consume all available Heat Energy to deal huge damage in a super powerful, awe-inspiring combo.
Guarding in Heat
Attacks in Heat State consistently deal damage, chipping away at an opponent’s health meter even when they’re guarding. This lost health is recoverable though as indicated by its white colour in the recipient’s health bar. To regain this health, the opponent needs to quickly land a punch or kick of their own; a barely achievable feat given the ferocity of attackers when in Heat Status.
Rage System
Principal among the Rage System changes is the aforementioned Heat Smash replacing Rage Drive, but the system by and large is the same with character power increasing the closer their health reaches total depletion. It’s been a staple of the series for the last many years, so it would be amiss of Bandai Namco to remove it entirely.
Rage Arts
Whilst the Rage System remains true to form, there is a noteworthy change to Rage Arts to Tekken 8, and it’s an update that’ll benefit newcomers and veterans alike although those not accustomed to Tekken’s unique brand of fighting will get more out of the change. For Tekken 8, the direction and button command to execute Rage Art manoeuvres has been standardised across the entire roster. Now, to perform once of these special moves’ players must input forward diagonal down alongside both punch buttons on an arcade stick or R2 on the DualSense Controller. This change represents a great example of Tekken 8’s commitment to onboarding new players as they they’ll already have enough to memorise as they grow accustomed to new fighters. Long-time players who regularly fight with more than one character will enjoy this change too, as they’ve already got an array of combos and special moves to deploy so this change gives them one less thing to calculate. The fact this is unified across the roster levels the playing field for everyone.
Recoverable Gauge
In Tekken 8, every time a fighter’s attack lands or gets blocked they’ll earn incremental additions to a gauge that’ll slowly recover their health. This gauge sits alongside the Rage and Heat Systems and whilst similar in principle to blocking the attacks of an opponent in Heat, the Recoverable Gauge is always active, and rewards attacking play. It’s another indicator of Tekken 8’s demand for speed and aggression and might just provide the tipping point to winning a close battle.
Two types of control methods
Tekken 8 comes equipped with two control methods: a traditional Arcade Style, and a new ‘Special Style’ which we’ll elaborate on in more detail in this feature’s next entry. For the Arcade Style the longstanding method of utilising four main inputs on a controller or arcade stick to control the individual limbs of your fighter remains true to form. Combining with directions or pressing two buttons simultaneously is how veterans know to maximise the capability of their fighter. Mastering the traditional Arcade Style will still be the truest way to explore the depth of each character’s unique move set as not all special manoeuvres will be possible with the new ‘Special Style’.
Special Style overview
Tekken has always been one of the hardest fighting games to learn, so with Tekken 8 Bandai Namco have seen fit to combine and evolve the ‘Easy Combo’ and ‘Assist’ features of Tekken 7 into something more uniform. In essence, ‘Special Style’ provides a more simplified control scheme that’ll certainly benefit new players who’re in the process of trying out a host of new characters. The barriers to entry are practically non-existent now, as newcomers will be able to unleash a fury of special moves and devastating attacks without needing to be familiar with a specific character’s move set. It can be toggled on and off at any time with the press of L1 on the DualSense or 0 on PC, and during activation an inputs window appears in the bottom left of the screen. The method also prompts players on when to use special abilities like Heat Smash or Rage Arts.
Long-time players will probably find this method too simplistic and limiting, so are likely to stick with traditional input methods. Bandai Namco have been wise in not making Special Style too easy; the playing field certainly won’t be levelled entirely but there is the worry that veterans may succumb to button bashing newcomers when playing online, should Special Style be allowed in the lobbies of course.
New characters
What is a new entry in a fighting series without a new character or two? Well, Tekken 8 has three in its base roster. Most intriguing is Reina Mishima, an acrobatic martial artist descended directly from the Mishima family, her being the daughter of Heihachi. Reina may have some story attached to her although this is under wraps for now. The other two newcomers are the mysterious Peruvian Azucena and stylish old-timer Victor Chevalier.
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