11mo ago

Tekken 8 | Review Thread

Game Information

Game Title: Tekken 8

Platforms:

PC (Jan 25, 2024)
PlayStation 5 (Jan 25, 2024)
Xbox Series X/S (Jan 25, 2024)

Trailers:

Developer: Bandai Namco Studios Inc.

Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 90 average - 98% recommended - 63 reviews

Critic Reviews

AltChar - Asmir Kovacevic - 85 / 100

Featuring a wide variety of modes, impressive graphics and compelling sound, Tekken 8 distinguishes itself as a standout in the fighting game genre.

But Why Tho? - Charles Hartford - 9.5 / 10

Tekken 8 offers great gameplay through precise controls, gorgeous visuals, and audio that energizes the player.

CGMagazine - Khari Taylor - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 sets a new standard in the fighting game genre, brilliantly blending a vast array of characters, innovative gameplay, cutting-edge visuals, and user-friendly features, making it an ideal choice for both series veterans and newcomers alike.

Checkpoint Gaming - Omi Koulas - 8 / 10

TEKKEN 8 unleashes a storm of punches, blending chaotic Mishima drama with accessible combat changes. The short story, though dramatic, loses steam, but the Heat system and Special Style redefine the fight. Arcade Quest mode injects a needed charm, offering a nostalgic journey with opportunities to grow your fighting game skills. Visually stunning with a diverse soundtrack, the game achieves a balance between the familiar and the cutting-edge. Despite a stumble in the narrative, TEKKEN 8 delivers a knockout combo.

Eurogamer - Lewis Parker - 5 / 5

Tekken 8 is a marked improvement over Tekken 7 and a perfectly executed balancing act, keeping older players happy while revealing its trademark freedom to newcomers.

Game Informer - Marcus Stewart - 8.3 / 10

As a complete package, Tekken 8 doesn’t reach the heights of recent rivals like Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1. But when the match begins, and you’re exploiting openings to unleash flashy combo strings and air juggles, it remains a thrilling, if very familiar, one-on-one experience.

GameSpot - Jason Fanelli - 8 / 10

A new aggressive fighting system and a healthy cast of characters make Tekken 8 pack a powerful punch.

GamesRadar+ - Oscar Taylor-Kent - 5 / 5

Tekken 8 has a depth to it that can feel overwhelming. But it's also a game that doesn't force you to take it all in at once.

GamingBolt - Ravi Sinha - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 is a shot in the arm for the series, advancing the story while offering addictive combat, exceptional presentation and a suite of features to attract new and experienced players.

IGN - Ronny Barrier - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 is an incredible evolution for the series, with tons of single player content, an excellent suite of training tools, a great online experience, and exciting new mechanics that make Tekken more dynamic than ever.

Multiplayer First - Paulmichael Contreras - 9.5 / 10

Tekken 8 joins a full roster of fighting games, and competes with the best of them. Naturally, as we couldn’t take the game online during our review period, it remains to be seen how effective Bandai Namco and Akira were at implementing rollback netcode. All Tekken fans should buy Tekken 8 without hesitation, and most fighting game fans will find something to like as well. Though the year may have just started, Tekken 8 will probably compete for fighting game of the year and barring any surprises, should be the runaway winner.

PC Gamer - Mollie Taylor - 89 / 100

The best Tekken game in years, let down only by its struggling netcode and aged customisation.

PCGamesN - Christian Vaz - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 improves on its predecessor with a complete graphics overhaul, drastically improved netcode, and a robust base game package featuring 32 characters and 16 stages. With DLC fighters already in the pipeline, there's more than enough content to keep fighting game fans packing punches for the foreseeable future.

Polygon - Patrick Gill - Unscored

There is a lot to love here. Satisfying mechanics, gorgeous combat animation, flashy presentation, and a killer soundtrack. That said, I don’t know if my own excitement will be enough to win over friends who are on the fence about the unremarkable story, incomplete tutorialization, and aesthetically dubious roster.

Push Square - Robert Ramsey - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 is a modern fighting game masterclass. It doesn't skimp on single-player modes, its online offering is robust, and it's a serious visual spectacle. But most importantly, the battles are brilliant; accessible yet deeply technical, and supremely satisfying to be a part of - perhaps more so than ever before. There's no fighting game series quite like Tekken, and Tekken 8 is the franchise at its bombastic best.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Brendan Caldwell - Unscored

It's a lot like Tekken 7, but angrier.

Saudi Gamer - عبد الله الباشان - Arabic - 10 / 10

Tekken 8 is the ultimate form of the veteran franchise that will make every Tekken player and fan proud of how much Bandai Namco have achieved with this masterpiece

Stevivor - Steve Wright - 7 / 10

Tekken 8 will surely impress fans but I struggled to connect with it like I have Mortal Kombat 1 and Street Fighter 6. There's no denying it's a feast for the senses and is full of stuff to do... but if you're like me and haven't found Tekken memorable despite playing it across many years and many platforms, that's unlikely to change here.

Twisted Voxel - Salal Awan - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 not only meets but exceeds the high expectations set by its predecessor, Tekken 7, by delivering a refined fighting experience with new features like the Heat Gauge. It sets new standards in visual quality, single-player content, and character customization, offering a comprehensive and engaging experience that is both visually stunning and rich in gameplay variety.

VG247 - Connor Makar - 5 / 5

Tekken 8 is a faster, hyper, and fuller package than before. A must-grab for fighting enthusiasts.

VGC - Chris Scullion - 5 / 5

Tekken 8 is a sensational sequel. With a renewed emphasis on single-player modes and a new Heat mechanic which ensures fights are more frenetic, it's up there with Tekken 3 as one of the most exciting high points in the series.

XboxEra - Genghis Husameddin - 9.5 / 10

TEKKEN 8 is an outstanding fighting game. An extremely strong 3D fighter with lots of offline content, strong core mechanics, and all around a fun and stylish game. TEKKEN continues to show the world why it's the winner of the Iron Fist Tournament.

ZTGD - Ken McKown - 9 / 10

Tekken 8 is an outstanding entry into the series with a ton of content for both online and offline players. This is how you pack a game with enough content to keep players invested. The plethora of modes, customization, and superb game play create a package that any fan of the genre should not miss.