Tekken 8

The critics generally praise the Story mode of Tekken 8 for its engaging narrative, character development, and cinematic presentation. PC Gamer appreciates the well-paced narrative focusing on the war between Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, appealing to both new and veteran players. PC Invasion highlights the coming-of-age anime arc centered around Jin's story, while GamesHub mentions the well-rounded narrative providing context and stakes to the battles. The emphasis on the Mishima family feud, rich cinematics, and character growth is also commended by reviewers like Movies Games and Tech and GAMES.CH. The inclusion of new characters with unique personalities, as noted by GameCritics, adds depth to the storytelling. On the downside, some critics point out issues with the Story mode of Tekken 8. Stevivor criticizes the transitions between cutscenes and fights, stating they are not smooth, and the over-saturation of cutscenes can detract from the overall narrative experience. TheXboxHub and Game Informer mention pacing issues, disconnected cutscenes from fights, and repetitive battles as drawbacks of the main story. Digital Chumps and Digitally Downloaded criticize the lack of depth and effort in the narrative, while Inverse notes that the focus on rivalries and mythical elements may be overwhelming for some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Tekken 8's Story mode offers an improvement over its predecessor, with a mix of positives and negatives. While the narrative is praised for its grand scale, engaging character arcs, and over-the-top action, there are concerns about pacing, repetitive gameplay elements, and the balance between serious storytelling and absurdity. Critics like PlayStation Country and Softpedia appreciate the fan service and cohesive narrative, while others like Twinfinite and VGC enjoy the zany insanity and comically over-the-top moments. Despite some criticisms regarding execution and depth, the majority of reviewers find Tekken 8's Story mode to be an enjoyable and entertaining experience that caters to both new players and longtime fans of the franchise.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Tekken 8 for its positive aspects. Game Revolution highlighted the robust combat system with new twists, a solid character roster, and dynamic battles thanks to additions like the Special Style and Heat Gauge. Metro GameCentral also appreciated the innovative gameplay with the Heat system and emphasis on aggressive play. Xbox Tavern commended the beginner-friendly atmosphere, multiple game modes, and strategic battles, while New Game Network found the core fighting engine strong with the Heat System adding depth and encouraging aggressive play. Cubed3 noted the gameplay favoring aggression and fast-paced bouts, with a tactical element, and Player 2 mentioned the smart and strategic use required for new mechanics like the second heat bar and flashy super move. However, there were some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Tekken 8. Stevivor pointed out that while the game introduces mechanics like the Heat meter and Rage Art, it doesn't explain them well, leading to potential frustration for players. Inverse mentioned that while the game has robust new training modes and campaign elements, some gameplay shifts felt undercooked and detracted from the campaign's strengths. The SixthAxis, on the other hand, had a more positive outlook, praising the accessibility for newcomers and the addition of new mechanics like the Heat system and Rage Arts. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the gameplay of Tekken 8. Critics such as PCWorld appreciated the mix of serious and fun game modes, along with the tactical depth added by the Heat system and Special Style control option. Digital Trends described the game as a brilliant 3D fighting game with impactful new systems, while Gfinity highlighted the approachable mechanics for newcomers and complexity for hardcore gamers. The majority of critics found the combat deeply satisfying, with the new Heat system adding a brilliant risk/reward strategy to the game, as noted by VGC. Despite some minor issues raised by a few critics, the overall sentiment is that Tekken 8 offers an excellent gameplay experience that caters to both newcomers and veterans, with its emphasis on aggression, strategic depth, and diverse character roster.

The majority of critics were highly impressed with the Graphics and Visual Design of Tekken 8, praising its stunning visuals, detailed character models, and impressive stage designs. Critics like PC Gamer, PC Invasion, and VideoGamer highlighted the game's graphical improvements, with PCGamesN even stating that Tekken 8 sets a new visual standard for the series. The use of Unreal Engine 5 was commended by Wccftech for delivering visually stunning graphics, while But Why Tho? and Xbox Tavern appreciated the detailed character models and customizable options. The game's overall visual fidelity and attention to detail were consistently praised, with many critics noting the game's ability to leverage the power of current-gen consoles and PC for a visually captivating experience. On the flip side, some critics did point out a few drawbacks in Tekken 8's Graphics and Visual Design. Stevivor mentioned issues with transitions between cutscenes and fights, as well as an overabundance of characters that made it hard to connect with them emotionally. Digitally Downloaded and GameSkinny noted a lack of diversity in character physique and facial features, while Softpedia highlighted the noticeable difference between pre-rendered and in-game cutscenes. These criticisms, while present, were in the minority compared to the overall positive reception of the game's graphics. In conclusion, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Tekken 8. The game was lauded for its impressive visuals, detailed character models, and vibrant combat arenas, setting a new standard for the series. Critics across various platforms, such as Game Informer, Game Revolution, and Gfinity, praised the game's stunning graphics and animations, showcasing the pinnacle of technical capabilities and visual fidelity. Despite some minor criticisms, the majority of reviewers were in agreement that Tekken 8 delivers a visually spectacular and immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of what a fighting game can achieve visually.

The majority of critics praised the Sound Design and Music of Tekken 8, highlighting its grandiose soundtrack, impressive sound production, and immersive experience. PC Games commended the game for its grandiose soundtrack, while Wccftech and Digital Chumps appreciated the top-notch sound production and raw, visceral sound design, respectively. The inclusion of fighters speaking in their native languages, as noted by PC Invasion and But Why Tho?, added authenticity to the game, while the Jukebox feature allowing players to curate their playlists from previous games was well-received by GameSkinny and New Game Network. The energetic tracks, strong voice performances, and emotive strings mentioned by various critics contributed to an engaging and immersive audio experience. However, some critics did point out certain drawbacks in the Sound Design and Music of Tekken 8. Stevivor mentioned that the choice to feature multiple languages without any language barrier could be distracting, and the long exposition dumps and cringeworthy dialogue detracted from the overall experience. Softpedia noted some odd music choices, while PlayStation Country highlighted the lack of pre-match banter variety and repetitive character quips as areas that could be improved. ZTGD found it distracting that characters speak in their native tongues and everyone understands them, suggesting a disconnect in the immersion for some players. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Sound Design and Music of Tekken 8. The game's ability to seamlessly integrate a rich and varied musical score, impactful sound effects, and stellar voice acting into the gameplay was widely appreciated. Critics like IGN, Player 2, and Twinfinite emphasized the satisfying sound effects, catchy theme song, and impactful collision sounds, respectively. The Jukebox feature, wide selection of music tracks from previous games, and the customization options for players to curate their music experience were highlighted as significant strengths by multiple reviewers. Despite some minor criticisms, the majority of critics found the Sound Design and Music of Tekken 8 to be very good, enhancing the overall gameplay experience and immersing players in the world of Tekken.

The voice acting in Tekken 8 has garnered positive feedback from multiple critics. PC Invasion and Wccftech both appreciate the use of native languages for the fighters, emphasizing the authenticity of the characters and enhancing immersion in the game world. Dot Esports and Twinfinite specifically commend the excellent voice acting, with Twinfinite going as far as describing it as "stellar." This positive aspect of the voice acting contributes to the overall enjoyment and engagement with the game, as highlighted by these critics. On the other hand, there are no significant negative comments regarding the voice acting in Tekken 8. Softpedia mentions that characters speaking in their native language leads to some funny dialogues, which could potentially be seen as a positive or negative aspect depending on personal preference. However, no specific issues or criticisms were raised by any of the critics regarding the voice acting itself. This lack of negative feedback suggests that the voice acting in Tekken 8 is generally well-received and does not detract from the overall gaming experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the voice acting in Tekken 8. Critics like But Why Tho? appreciate how the voice acting enhances the over-the-top narrative and characters with punch, while PlayStation Country highlights the introduction of new characters with unique personalities and movesets voiced by talented actors. The combination of native languages, talented voice actors, and engaging storytelling seems to have resonated well with the critics, contributing to the immersive and enjoyable experience of playing Tekken 8. The unanimous praise for the voice acting indicates that it is a standout feature of the game that successfully complements other aspects of the gameplay and narrative, ultimately adding to the overall appeal and quality of Tekken 8.

In terms of the technical performance on PC, Tekken 8 received positive feedback from several critics. PC Invasion praised the game for being extremely well-optimized, offering solid frame rates and robust color blindness options, ensuring a smooth gaming experience. VideoGamer highlighted that the game is exceptionally optimized and runs better than its predecessor, Tekken 7, on maximum settings, with the addition of rollback netcode improving online play. Wccftech noted that while the game demands high system specifications, it provides various graphics settings for optimal performance, catering to a wide range of PC configurations. On the downside, PCGamesN reported experiencing memory leak issues that affected the game's stability, hoping for a patch to address this before launch. VG247 mentioned that while the online stability on PC was acceptable, it was not genre-leading, with matches being choppy but playable. Additionally, Wccftech pointed out issues with online features like frame rollback and delays, impacting the overall experience for some players on PC. Overall, the consensus among critics for Tekken 8's technical performance across all platforms is largely positive. The game's online stability and netcode improvements were highlighted by multiple reviewers. Critics like XboxEra and PlayStation Country praised the smooth performance on Xbox Series X and PS5, respectively, with well-implemented rollback netcode contributing to stable online experiences. However, concerns were raised by some critics regarding occasional lag issues, matchmaking delays, and specific technical hiccups on different platforms. Despite these minor drawbacks, the majority of critics appreciated the technical advancements and optimizations made in Tekken 8, indicating an overall positive reception for the game's technical performance.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Replay Value of Tekken 8 are largely positive. Many critics praise the game for offering a wide range of content and modes that enhance its replayability. Gamers Heroes highlights the wealth of content, including training, versus, story mode, and online modes, which enrich the replay value of the game. PC Invasion also mentions various modes like Arcade Quest, Super Ghost Battle, and online play, along with teaching tools, which provide opportunities for improvement and enjoyment. Additionally, VideoGamer appreciates the inclusion of modes like Arcade Quest, Character Episodes, and Practice mode, which contribute to the game's replay value. On the flip side, some critics point out certain limitations or areas of improvement for the replay value of Tekken 8. Stevivor notes that while the game offers some replay value through modes like Super Ghost Battles and Arcade Quest, it is ultimately limited. Digital Trends mentions that the Arcade Quest mode falls flat compared to other aspects of the game, which could potentially impact the overall replayability for some players. These criticisms suggest that while the game has a lot to offer in terms of content, there are certain areas that may not fully meet the expectations of all players in terms of replay value. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Tekken 8 provides a substantial amount of replay value due to its diverse range of modes, character customization options, and engaging gameplay mechanics. Critics like GamesRadar+ and PlayStation Country appreciate the variety of single-player offerings, including Arcade Mode, Character Episodes, and the new Arcade Quest mode, which contribute to the game's replayability. Despite some minor drawbacks mentioned by a few critics, the general sentiment is positive, with many praising the game for catering to both casual and hardcore players and offering a well-rounded experience that keeps players coming back for more.