Tekken 8's Hyper Aggressive Gameplay Has Glorious Potential | Push Square

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We only got to play it for a weekend, but the Tekken 8 Closed Network Test has us drooling over the potential of Bandai Namco's heavy hitting fighter. This sequel has been a long time coming — it's easy to forget that Tekken 7, although still quite popular, is over six years old on PS4 — and at first glance, the eighth instalment is an impressive step forward for the series. Unlike Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8 is a current-gen exclusive — and it shows.

Even in this unfinished form, the game's a real looker. Character models in particular boast a level of detail that makes them pop beyond their surroundings, and the visual effects — meaning the sparks that light the stage whenever you land a blow — make Tekken 8 a treat to gawk at. Again, after six whole years of its now aged predecessor, this sequel is a sight for sore eyes.

But as nice as they are, we're not here to rant about graphics; it's the familiar yet emboldened gameplay that has us so excited for Tekken's future. Because we've played so much Tekken 7 over the years, we were able to slip into the fundamental flow of Tekken 8 with ease. This is, after all, a franchise that hinges heavily on legacy knowledge, and that's certainly highlighted here. If we wanted to be ultra cynical, we'd say Tekken 8 feels a bit like Tekken 7.5, but that would require wilful ignorance of some all-important adjustments.

The test's big talking point is of course the new Heat system. For the first time in series history, Tekken has a meter, and once per round, it can be burned to temporarily enhance your key moves, and give you access to a powerful special attack (that essentially replaces the Rage Drive mechanic from Tekken 7). A historically high damage series, Tekken 8 attempts to push