Tekken 8 Hands-on Preview Shows Evolved Core Fighting Systems That Bring The Heat
Our hands-on preview showed that Tekken 8's gameplay mechanics open up a new layer of depth for the series' tried-and-true 3D fighting.
By Michael Higham on
When Tekken 8 was revealed, my first thought was, «What could Bandai Namco possibly do to make another Tekken feel new?» That's not an indictment of the series, but rather a testament to how great Tekken 7 has been for the past eight years (or six years if we're talking about its console release). Tekken 7 is a pillar of the fighting game community for a reason; it's the most refined the 3D fighter has ever been, and there's just nothing quite like some good-ass Tekken.
Even so, there's always room to evolve, and after getting a few hours of hands-on time with a preview build of Tekken 8, it became immediately clear how it can take the franchise in a bold new direction. It still has its diverse set of characters, each with their own unique fighting style and deep moveset, and it's even prettier thanks to improved visual fidelity and eye-catching flourishes that are made possible by the latest generation of consoles. That freshness I'm talking about, however, lies primarily in the core gameplay mechanics, specifically the Heat system and Special Style, as well as smaller changes that reward aggressive play.
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Now Playing: Tekken 8 Evolves Core Fighting Systems To Bring The Heat Preview
The Heat system represents a fundamental change to Tekken's gameplay. It's a brand-new gameplay mechanic for every fighter on the Tekken 8 roster that, at any point, once per round,
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