Following the successful launch ofStreet Fighter 6, which earned rave reviews, and an incredible-looking gameplay trailer and release date announcement forMortal Kombat 1, fans of the fighting game seriesTekkenmay be feeling a little left out right now. DespiteTekken 8showing off plenty of gameplay of its own, a release date remains elusive. For fans, it’s been 8 long years since the release of the critically acclaimedTekken 7, and the newest installment can’t come soon enough. With EVO 2023 right around the corner, taking place on August 4, further updates onTekken 8’s progress, along with a release date, are hopefully forthcoming.
2023 is a big year for fighting games. IfTekken 8does arrive this side of Christmas, which many are hoping is still a possibility, that would mean a major release for each of the genre’s three biggest hitters in the same calendar year. Of course, it’s just as likely that fans won’t get their hands onTekken 8until 2024, but either way, EVO 2023 has a chance to shed a little more light on things.
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Tekken 8 Could Finally Get a Release Date at EVO
TheTekkenfranchise has a long historywith the Evolution Championship Series, otherwise known as EVO. The esports tournament, which focuses specifically on fighting games, was founded in 1996, and has featuredTekkengames as part of its line-up for the best part of 20 years. In fact, it was at this very event last year that the first teaser forTekken 8was shown, as footage of Kazuya from the originalTekkengame gave way to his modern-day appearance, while he smiled at the camera before the words ‘Get Ready’ appeared, much to fans' excitement.
Developer Bandai Namcois looking forTekken 8to serve as the series' catalyst into a bold new direction. Defensive play styles may have to give way to a more aggressive approach, as the game looks to place a heavy emphasis on fast, attacking gameplay. The new Rage system grants additional attacking power when health is low, and the player can also recover some of their health at certain times by landing attacks of their own. Players can also use a new Heat system which should further reward aggressive play styles.
In terms of the game’s narrative, not too much is known yet, aside from a couple of surprising changes to the character roster. Heihachi Mishima, the patriarch ofTekken’s Mishima familyon which most of the game’s conflict is built, is finally dead, and despite him supposedly dying in a couple of previous installments already, the developer has assured fans that this time there’s no coming back. It will mark the first time Heihachi hasn’t been present in aTekkengame since the series debuted in 1994. Equally surprising is the return of Jun Kazama, mother of Jin and estranged lover of Kazuya Mishima. Jun was thought to have perished at the hands of Ogre in events leading up toTekken 3, but she is indeed alive and well and looks to be picking up right where she left off.
Street Fighter 6andMortal Kombat 1may have the advantage of releasing earlier, but allowing the opposition to strike first givesTekken 8the chance to see exactly what it’s up against. If EVO does indeed finally giveTekken 8a release date, then it’s likely that many fans would rejoice regardless of where exactly this window lands - be it in 2023 or next year.
Tekken 8is in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
