Tekken 8

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 28,619 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • monetization
Tekken 8 Game Cover
The best Tekken to date proves that plenty of depth makes for a vibrant fighter, justifying its current-gen exclusivity to deliver a skull-thrasher that really feels like an evolution rather than a simple update.
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The Tekken series is breaking into a new era! The longest-running story in a video game franchise is coming back with state-of-the-art graphics and powerful new rivalries. Stay tuned for Tekken 8!

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 28,619 reviews
story1,220 positive mentions
monetization344 negative mentions
  • story2,697 mentions

    The story of Tekken 8 has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging and cinematic presentation, particularly in the main story mode, "The Dark Awakens," which concludes the Mishima saga. While some players found the narrative to be entertaining and filled with nostalgic callbacks, others criticized it for being predictable and overly reliant on anime tropes. The inclusion of the "Arcade Quest" mode has been noted as a helpful tutorial for newcomers, although some felt it detracted from the overall depth of the story. Overall, the game is seen as a significant improvement over its predecessor, Tekken 7, particularly in terms of storytelling and character development.

    • “The story mode is a highlight, featuring a narrative that's both engaging and emotional, with well-produced cutscenes and believable character interactions.”
    • “The story is amazing and if you are a Tekken die-hard, you understand why.”
    • “The story mode was phenomenal! Cinematic's were jaw-dropping, and the fights were out of this world, literally.”
    • “The story is garbage but nobody plays this for the story.”
    • “The main downside is it's tekken, you have way too many repetitive fights against the main boss in story mode.”
    • “Repetitive story mode: despite the visual upgrades, the story mode feels uninspired and lacks the depth and creativity needed to keep players fully engaged.”
  • gameplay2,599 mentions

    The gameplay of Tekken 8 has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fluid mechanics, stunning visuals, and engaging combat system that balances accessibility for newcomers with depth for veterans. However, the introduction of the "heat" mechanic has been controversial, as it tends to favor aggressive playstyles and can lead to frustrating 50/50 situations, diminishing the strategic depth that long-time players expect. Additionally, concerns about character balance and monetization practices have overshadowed the gameplay experience for some, leading to a perception that the game prioritizes profit over player satisfaction.

    • “Tekken 8 is a brilliant addition to the iconic fighting game series, showcasing stunning visuals, tight mechanics, and a diverse roster of characters that both veterans and newcomers will enjoy.”
    • “The fast-paced gameplay feels smooth, the new features add depth to the combat system, and the overall presentation is top-notch.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are designed to be intuitive yet challenging, making Tekken 8 accessible to newcomers while providing depth for veterans.”
    • “The heat mechanic ruined the game in almost every aspect.”
    • “It's now tainted with shady monetization practices, questionable 'casino' gameplay mechanics, nonsensical character balancing, and each DLC character is guaranteed to be so overpowered at launch... it's near pay to win.”
    • “The core gameplay is so incredibly watered down, tone-deaf, and boring that you might as well be playing rock-paper-scissors for roughly the same amount of intellectual stimulation.”
  • monetization1,459 mentions

    The monetization practices in Tekken 8 have drawn significant criticism, with many players expressing frustration over the introduction of aggressive microtransactions and a battle pass shortly after launch, which many feel undermines the game's value. Players have described these practices as predatory, particularly given the game's $70 price tag, and have noted that many cosmetic items that were previously free in earlier installments are now locked behind paywalls. Overall, the sentiment is that the focus on monetization detracts from the gameplay experience and reflects a troubling trend in the gaming industry.

    • “I really do enjoy this game but I can't support this level of obsessively greedy monetization.”
    • “The game itself is great, but adding microtransactions and a battle pass post-launch should be illegal.”
    • “What I really did not expect to see in a $70 game is literal ads.”
    • “The continued and egregious escalation of shady monetization practices are killing this game and it's a damn shame because I really love Tekken but I will not support a game that has no respect for its player base and chooses to nickel and dime us at every opportunity.”
    • “The game is now a quick cash grab with so many generic characters, used to love Tekken but now it just feels like Ubisoft or EA to milk our cash dry.”
  • graphics1,269 mentions

    Tekken 8 showcases stunning graphics that significantly elevate the visual fidelity compared to its predecessor, Tekken 7. Players have praised the detailed character models and vibrant environments, highlighting the game's ability to leverage next-gen hardware effectively. However, some users have reported issues with automatic graphics adjustments during gameplay, which can detract from the overall experience, despite the visuals being described as top-tier in the fighting game genre.

    • “Incredible graphics: Tekken 8 takes full advantage of next-gen hardware, with characters and environments looking more detailed and vibrant than ever before.”
    • “The graphics in this game are absolutely phenomenal.”
    • “Tekken 8 is a brilliant addition to the iconic fighting game series, showcasing stunning visuals, tight mechanics, and a diverse roster of characters that both veterans and newcomers will enjoy.”
    • “So even if you want to play, it reduces your graphics settings to blurry mode even if you have a very fast machine.”
    • “I refuse to play this game with this low of graphics settings; it looks and feels awful.”
    • “Now the game just auto-updates graphics to the lowest setting for what feels like no reason.”
  • music627 mentions

    The music in "Tekken 8" has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many praising the extensive jukebox feature that allows players to customize the soundtrack using tracks from all previous Tekken games. Reviewers highlight the dynamic and engaging nature of the music, which enhances the overall gameplay experience, although some express a desire for more intense or varied compositions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout aspect of the game, contributing significantly to its appeal and nostalgic value for long-time fans.

    • “Tekken always had some hit or miss songs sprinkled throughout, but this game lets you choose songs from every version of Tekken, and default it per stage.”
    • “The jukebox allows the player to choose and save the stage music from every single Tekken game OST - that is a great thing.”
    • “The soundtrack is as great as any other modern Tekken game and features the jukebox customizable mode where not only are you given access to every song from every Tekken game, ever, you are able to customize your own playlist and mix and match songs to fit with any menu screen or stage in the game.”
    • “The music in T8 is horrible too.”
    • “The stage music is bad.”
    • “The music is a bit uninspired like techno music that is not very hard or doesn't drop some sick beat or anything but you can actually load your own playlist into the game or just any other Tekken soundtrack from the jukebox so this point is saved but it's worth mentioning.”
  • optimization380 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, crashes, and high resource demands that make it unplayable on lower-end PCs. Users have noted that the game struggles with online play, where performance is heavily impacted by the hardware of opponents, leading to a frustrating experience. Despite some players experiencing smoother performance after updates, the overall consensus is that significant improvements are needed to address the myriad of optimization problems.

    • “The game is well optimized overall, plenty of single player content to keep you busy if you don't want to jump online right away.”
    • “Graphics are amazing, but is optimized well enough that with enough processing power you should be able to smoothly sail in terms of frames.”
    • “This game is on the same level of Street Fighter 6 and is more optimized than Mortal Kombat 1.”
    • “There's no excuse in the world for this kind of crap optimization.”
    • “The optimization of several portions of this game are atrocious.”
    • “This game needs an optimization patch; constantly getting UE Polaris crashes on a NVIDIA 4090 RTX, Intel 13900K, Samsung 990 Pro SSD 2x 2TB, Corsair Dominator 64GB RAM... this setup is way beyond the recommended specs.”
  • humor189 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its campy and over-the-top storytelling, with many players finding the character interactions and customization options to be genuinely hilarious. The absurdity of certain gameplay mechanics and the antics of both characters and players contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, making it enjoyable for casual play. However, some critiques mention that the humor can sometimes border on the grotesque or cheesy, which may not appeal to everyone.

    • “The game is hilarious with how bad and scrubby these high ranked players and cheaters are.”
    • “The character episodes are soulful, often hilarious and are great introductions to the characters for those unfamiliar with them.”
    • “Tekken ball had me laughing my ass off with my friends.”
    • “A few months in, there's just so much microtransaction (mtx) content, and it's not funny anymore.”
  • stability126 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent crashes, lag spikes, and various bugs that disrupt gameplay, particularly in online modes. Despite some users noting improvements since launch, the overall consensus is that the game remains unfinished and plagued by issues that detract from the experience, especially for those with high-performance systems. Many players express frustration over the game's netcode and the impact of patches, which seem to introduce new problems rather than resolve existing ones.

    • “I was hesitant going into this, especially on PC after the disaster of a launch Mortal Kombat 1 had, but suffice to say I was shocked to finally see a complete fighting game that has everything available to the player from customization to bonus content, and to top it all off, it runs great on my PC.”
    • “The game runs great, the online was mostly fluid during my play session and it seems like the game has a bunch of nifty little features to play around with that will allow newer players to get better and grasp a deeper understanding of the game as they play.”
    • “It looks and runs great, has great PC options and ample gameplay modes.”
    • “Hardware-wise, my system meets everything needed to run the game smoothly while on high settings across the board, which is great. However, despite trying multiple proton settings and other troubleshooting methods, every several matches I get into, regardless of game mode, I get a fatal crash leading to a forced reboot of my PC.”
    • “It's an unfinished, buggy, predatory waste of money.”
    • “As of February 10th, 2024, the game still crashes and freezes constantly. Not recommended, not now.”
  • emotional60 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Tekken 8" elicits a wide range of responses from players, with some expressing deep disappointment and sadness over perceived changes in the franchise, while others find joy and nostalgia in its character arcs and story mode. Many players report feeling a strong emotional connection to the game, with moments that evoke genuine tears and heartfelt reactions, yet some also criticize the competitive nature and corporate decisions that detract from their enjoyment. Overall, the game is seen as a mixed bag, balancing emotional highs with frustrations that can lead to a sense of betrayal among long-time fans.

    • “This game has made me cry real tears and lose friends.”
    • “The story mode is a highlight, featuring a narrative that's both engaging and emotional, with well-produced cutscenes and believable character interactions.”
    • “Jin Kazama goes through a tremendous character arc, one that brought genuine goosebumps and heartfelt moments.”
  • grinding54 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing that it is excessively time-consuming and tedious, particularly in ranked modes where progression feels frustratingly slow and punishing. While some appreciate the depth and learning opportunities provided by practice modes, others criticize the monetization strategies that tie cosmetic unlocks to grinding, leading to a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction. Overall, players suggest that while the game is enjoyable, the grinding mechanics can detract significantly from the experience.

    • “I'm not grinding for a default blender ball.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I love this game since its release and have my fair share of grinding the game for 150+ hours, but it's really terrible as it is right now.”
    • “I don't want to dedicate all of my free time to grinding away just to unlock items that were cut from the base game (seriously, why is the option to wear a karate gi as a female character locked extremely late into the battle pass?).”
  • character development48 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the story mode and overall character design as engaging and visually stunning. However, some critiques highlight a perceived laziness in character design, particularly for certain female characters, and a tendency for designs to be over-the-top, which can detract from their seriousness. Overall, while the narrative and character arcs are well-received, opinions on the character designs themselves vary significantly.

    • “Great character designs, great roster, genius addition with the heat system, all topped off with my new favorite story mode in a fighting game to date.”
    • “The character development in the story is definitely 10/10.”
    • “My partner has never seen Tekken before and the story mode and character designs made them a huge fan overnight. Highly recommend!”
    • “The character designs are over-the-top and ridiculous, making it hard to take any of them seriously.”
    • “Not to mention noticeably ugly female character designs, a first in the Tekken series.”
    • “Unlike poor Gigas, Josie, Katrina, and Lucky Chloe, whose only character development came in the form of episodes.”
  • replayability27 mentions

    Tekken 8 offers high replayability through various modes such as ghost battles, arcade quests, and online play, catering to both casual and hardcore players. The game's depth, engaging story, and potential for future DLCs enhance its replay value, although some players noted a drop in replayability without a survival mode. Overall, it is praised for its content and diverse gameplay options, making it a strong contender in the fighting game genre.

    • “Yes, for casuals and secretly introverted players like me, the game has high replayability because it features ghost battles where we can download AI from real-life Tekken players of all skill levels to battle endlessly.”
    • “Tekken 8 provides many options and depth for any fan of the genre, and with numerous modes to enjoy, it has some pretty epic replay value.”
    • “The game has a lot of content and replay value, as well as a deep and engaging story.”
    • “This is the only fighting game I love, but without survival mode, the replayability drops dramatically.”
    • “It's a fighting game, so there's a lot of replayability, but if they don't continue with DLCs like its predecessor, it may not hold up.”
    • “Deep replayability (arcade quest, online, and ghost battles) is mentioned, but it feels lacking in variety.”
  • atmosphere19 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its vibrant and immersive stages, complemented by great graphics and impactful sound design that enhance the combat experience. While many players appreciate the unique ambiance and music, some express disappointment with the shift in tone compared to earlier installments, feeling it detracts from the overall atmosphere. Overall, the atmosphere is a significant highlight, though opinions vary on its consistency and alignment with the game's narrative direction.

    • “The stages are vibrant and immersive, each with its own unique atmosphere that adds depth to the fights.”
    • “Great graphics, fantastic atmosphere during combat, nice pumping music.”
    • “The music, the atmosphere, the stages all make for an amazing experience.”
    • “💔 I haven't really liked the atmosphere in the game yet 💔”
    • “Graphically it is very pleasing and the music/atmosphere of the game is soothing yet serious.”
    • “The sound in particular is great - a blocked quick jab might sound a bit mid, but most hits sound like a damn gunshot and add a heck of a lot to the atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

88% average critic score

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Play time

35hMedian play time
291hAverage play time
12-120hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 96 analyzed playthroughs

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