Tekken 8 is nearly upon us, launching on January 26th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Arriving almost seven years after Tekken 7, it offers a slate of new features, fighters and modes for long-time fans and new players. Check out 15 of the biggest differences between Tekken 8 and Tekken 7 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.
Share Your Thoughts Below (Always follow our comments policy!)