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Tekken 8 director Katsuhiro Harada has stated that Bandai Namco’s upcoming eighth game will feature more aggressive gameplay. This statement was made in an interview given shortly after The Game Awards 2022 showed a trailer that was more story-focused.
In this interview, Harada talked about some aspects of the trailer shown, including some gameplay details that weren’t shown. For example, since Tekken 8 is being built on Unreal Engine 5 for next-generation hardware, every character has been redesigned for the game, including models and bone structures. The new engine also allowed the visuals to be improved in terms of lighting and atmosphere. One of the biggest changes in Tekken 8 from 7 is the gameplay, which Harada describes as more aggressive.
Harada states that the concept behind the new system is the notion of aggression, which came from the idea that Tekken 8 should be fun to play and fun to watch. He gives a specific example where an offensive player should have fun and feel that if he has an advantage, then he should have a better chance of winning. This is highlighted by the game’s new “Heat” system, which was showcased in a recent trailer. More details about this system and its impact on gameplay will be revealed next year.
According to Harada, Tekken 8’s design was largely influenced by Tekken 7’s reception and competitive scene. He reiterates that fighting games should be enjoyable to both watch and play, which helps to attract more people. Another example is when playing at a high level, gamers with the same level of experience tend not to go on the offensive. Harada wanted to motivate Tekken 8 players to go on the offensive more and try to create gaps for their opponents.
This change will not only benefit those who watch the game or participate in competitions, but will also make the overall experience satisfying for any player, regardless of whether they are fighting against an AI or a human. Details such as scene destruction, cinematic effects, character reactions to hits, and more, Harada says will help underline the Tekken 8 philosophy.
