TEKKEN 8 | The Dark Awakens Review

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows

Mode: Multiplayer video game

Nominations: The Game Award for Most Anticipated Game

License: proprietary license

Genres: Fighting game, Adventure game

Developers: ARIKA, BANDAI NAMCO Studios, Tekken Project

Publishers: BNE LLC, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.

SPOILERS THROUGHOUT

Introduction

Tekken 8: The Dark Awakens is a standalone story campaign that introduces new characters to the franchise along with new mechanics and a Operation Rebellion mode that’s akin to Dynasty Warriors. Tekken 8 Gameplay Video Playlist

Quick synopsis | after completing the three and a half hour story I was left impressed and wanting more honestly. As for me and fighting video games are concerned I love them yet sorta kinda suck at them.

I’m no pro at these style of video games but grew up playing them as a kid in days of yore (mid 1980’s). As for Tekken, I dabbled with a few iterations but honestly the last one I spent any real time with was with the Playstation 2’s launch Tekken Tag Tournament. So yea.

Presentation

The Unreal Engine 5 presented Tekken 8: The Dark Awakens as a graphical powerhouse on my Playstation 5. I can say we have gotten to the point where | when the camera zooms in from cutscene to gameplay the gameplay now looks better.

At least in the latter Tekken 8’s case. Over the 15 chapters in Tekken 8: The Dark Awakens I was taken on a roller coaster focusing on Jin Kazama and father Kazuya Misihima’s battle which culminated in a spectacular fight finale in outer space.

New characters/fighters added to Tekken 8’s roster include Azucena Ortiz (coffee girl), Jack-8, Victor Chevalier (rebel leader) and Reina. Each New character to the franchise got screen time in The Dark Awakens most notably the mysterious Reina who’s connected to Jin and Kazuya in some way.

The presentation overall ran the gambit in The Dark Awakens featuring great battles, action set-piece fight sequences, stellar visuals and great music that makes you wanna FIGHT! As for the story it’s cut and dry trope stuff.

Story

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a Tekken lore guy at all. I always thought the series was about Jin Kazama fighting big daddy Kazuya Mishima. Honestly that’s all The Dark Awakens is about.

The story goes Jin Kazama fights Kazuya Mishima which in turn he loses his devil powers. Kazuya then destroys Earth’s military satellites strong-arming the world’s best fighters to enter his Iron Tournament (blackmail). Victor Chevalier and fellow rebel leader Lars Alexandersson join together to wage war against Kazuya’s G-Soldier and Jack-7 army.

Jin enters the tournament hoping to get his powers back but doesn’t. Next, Jin travels to Yakushima forest where his mom trained him to become one with his True Devil form. Jin then battles True Devil Kazuya transmogrifying mid-battle into Angel Jin defeating Kazuya to save Earth and putting a stop to the war. Not the best but hey. At least it was exciting to play.

Gameplay

Basic 2D | 3D Tekken here folks. I did play through The Dark Awakens with “Special Style” enabled which let me press fewer buttons to execute flasher special moves against the CPU. Very anime the special moves are in Tekken 8.

The latter also helped preserve my 47 year old fingers, just saying. I also thoroughly enjoyed “Chapter 10 All Out Assault” where you partake in a Dynasty Warrior-esque battle called Operation Rebellion.

The best Operation Rebellion sequence was when I played as King and the crowd started chanting KING! KING! KING! as I destroyed dozens of G-soldiers and Jack units. There were many memorable fight sequences coupled with solid Tekken gameplay helped make The Dark Awakens a great story mode edition. I enjoyed it while it lasted.

Visuals | Graphics

Tekken Project and Namco Bandai Studios aggressively used Unreal Engine 5 (best case study to date IMO) to make the best looking fighting video game I played to date. If you don’t believe me just play through to the end of Chapter 15.

Sound | Music

Hype music galore featuring decent voice acting with cheesy writing was fun. Tekken like it’s rival, Street Fighter the music is designed to hype the player up to FIGHT! I really enjoyed the tracks in Tekken 8 especially the one when fighting Jin’s dad Kazuya at the end. Almost had a Metal Gear Rising Armstrong flashback.

Final Thoughts | Score

I thought Tekken 8: The Dark Awakens was great. It’s short and very sweet taking just over three hours to complete. Story was straight forward culminating in Jin becoming Angel Jin defeating Devil Kazuya.

The new fighters added to the roster where fun to play with. Everyone got some shine here. Special Mode is a good edition that let’s the player pull off flashier moves with ease. Tekken 8 is a visual marvel on the Playstation 5. The music was hype. Just an overall fun experience.

8/10