As 2023 involves a detailed, I believe it is truthful to say that the preventing sport style is in an incredible spot. Capcom and NetherRealm each launched stellar new entries of their respective franchises this 12 months, with Avenue Fighter 6 specifically righting the wrongs of the earlier numbered entry. In January of 2024, Bandi-Namco will unleash Tekken 8 – and I’ve performed a near-final model of the sport at an occasion, so I needed to share my preliminary ideas. This the primary new preventing sport to ship on Unreal Engine 5 whereas additionally skipping last-gen consoles and the Swap – so how does it fare to date?
Throughout my time with Tekken 8, I had an opportunity to play a number of completely different modes together with the story mode, the arcade quest mode and Tekken Ball – greater than what’s accessible within the publicly accessible demo. As feature-packed as Avenue Fighter 6 and MK1 are, there is a sense that Tekken 8 would possibly nonetheless have probably the most to supply.
Primarily based on the primary chapter of the story mode, this part seems like a pure evolution of what was achieved in Tekken 7 through a method arguably pioneered in Mortal Kombat 9. That’s to say that cutscenes and occasion sequences are used to chain collectively battles to inform a bigger story.
Not like Tekken 7 although, the brand new sport does not appear to depend on nonetheless picture sequences, which beforehand featured a journalist explaining his investigation into the Mishima household. The demo model options Chapter 1 as effectively, however enjoying past this revealed that pacing and storytelling that seems like a big enchancment over the seventh mainline entry.
The very first battle that includes Jin and Kazuya is a pleasant showpiece for the brand new visuals. There are some pre-rendered scenes nonetheless, however lots of the sequences are totally real-time, making for some slick transitions between cutscene and gameplay. The model I am enjoying right here was captured on PlayStation 5, with preliminary pixel counting within the story mode revealing a decision of 2560×1440. We’ll rely in additional element throughout extra scenes within the ultimate sport but it surely’s trying to be a 1440p 60fps title which is smart given the visuals and prioritising responsiveness.
all of the modes we examined although, I am largely happy with the visuals. Character element, whereas extraordinarily excessive, may be very effectively executed – the sport blows previous the pre-rendered CGI in earlier Tekken video games, actually. I solely want the movement blur from Tekken 6 was an possibility, because it regarded nice, however maybe different preventing sport followers weren’t as into it as I used to be.
Whereas on the occasion, I had an opportunity to talk with members of the event workforce – particularly the sport’s director, Kouhei Ikeda, and one in every of its producers, Michael Murray. They confirmed, as I surmised, that Tekken 8 doesn’t use core Unreal Engine 5 options like Nanite or Lumen, primarily owing to its strict 60fps goal. Given the challenges builders have confronted in constructing first-generation UE5 video games, it is smart and, truthfully, the sport appears wonderful all the identical.
I went again to enjoying round with Tekken 7 afterwards and it was much less detailed than my recollections led me to imagine – between the geometric density of the characters to the pores and skin shading and clothes, Tekken 8 is a big leap ahead.
Pausing one of many Tekken 8 character reveal intros makes plain the extent of granular element offered simply of their respective gloves – the feel of the leather-based, the stitching, the shiny spherical decorations…it is all great things. Going via the video body by body actually helps you respect the animation, like hit impacts and particles which are obligatory to make sure that every hit feels nice with out sacrificing responsiveness.
In comparison with the demo accessible, I had an opportunity to check another characters and arenas out. They’re all trying nice, with a variety of wonderful element chiseled into the varied surfaces – both utilizing geometry or good texture work. Clearly, there shall be extra to say when the sport is full, however my first impressions on the visible aspect are very optimistic.
Past this, the Arcade Quest mode actually piqued my curiosity. It principally drops you right into a fictional world during which Tekken 8, the arcade machine, has simply launched. It looks as if it tells a narrative as you journey throughout the land visiting different arcades, making it successfully a second story mode.
Tekken Ball is maybe extra of a gimmick in step with Tekken Bowl and the like, however hey, it might be satisfying as a aspect mode.
I additionally seen that, throughout each mode, the sport’s enter response was strong. Nicely, after I first sat down, the demo station had movement smoothing enabled so it felt improper initially – however as soon as we switched to sport mode, it was wonderful.
Because of the demo launch, I used to be in a position to take a look at enter lag extra completely and the sport appears to exhibit solely round 3.5 frames of lag – it feels exceptionally responsive and noticeably higher than Tekken 7 on PS4. Earlier Unreal Engine preventing video games did appear to battle to get enter lag to low sufficient ranges, so I am glad there’s proof of clear progress right here.
Moreover, on PS5 at the very least, loading instances are fairly swift, clocking in at simply over 4 seconds – definitely sooner than the final handful of Tekken video games on console.
All that is to say that it feels responsive, fast and impactful – I am actually pleased with what the workforce has delivered right here. It is a prettier sport than Tekken 7 and feels higher to play.
I am additionally excited concerning the sport’s soundtrack – Namco by no means misses in terms of music and the tracks I’ve heard to date affirm this.
It will be fascinating to see how the ultimate launch shapes up, so carry on 2024.