Tekken 7 Review

Developer: Bandai Namco

Publishers: Bandai Namco

Release date: June 2, 2017

Available on: PS4, Xbox One (reviewed), PC

If you’re a fan of the fighting-game genre, then it’s a great time to be alive. With the fantastic Injustice 2 releasing last month, Tekken 7 this month, and Marvel Vs. Capcom right around the corner, your cup is definitely going to be overflowing with combative, fist-flying goodness. So, how does Tekken 7 stand up against the competition and its past iterations? Well, it all comes down to what you prefer in a fighting game.

Unlike the aforementioned Injustice 2 and Marvel Vs Capcom, Tekken 7 takes place on a three-dimensional battleground. You can weave your way around your opponents, dodging their flurry of combos. Speaking of combos, the only way you’ll survive in this game is memorizing the plethora of move-sets at your disposal (some at 100+ per character). This game is extremely technical. If you are more into casual button-mashing good times, playing games like Mortal Combat and Super Smash Bros., then this game may not be for you. Many times I found myself blocking and patiently waiting for the best time to strike, as one bad dodge or missed punch, could be game over in the blink of an eye.

If you are more of a casual fighter, or if this is your first step into the Tekken series, don’t be too discourage, however. The game does offer some reprieve for those uninitiated with Tekken‘s style of combat. As you fight, you will get the opportunity to unlock your Rage Art. This is a super powerful move that, if connected, can deal massive damage with the press of a button. The game also offers a tutorial, but it does leave a bit to be desired. I constantly found myself pausing the game to check out my move-sets as I worked my way through the story mode and individual character chapters.

The story mode, also known as The Mishima Saga, takes you through the tale of the Mishima clan – Heihachi, Kazuya, and Jin. Through the eyes of a journalist, you learn the truth about this wealthy family and their tragic history. It is told through basic still-frame, animated stills, and full-on cut-scenes. I will say it can be somewhat jarring at first, as it jumps between these different avenues, but you do get to used to it as the story moves on.

The story is extremely over-the-top, following many humorous anime tropes long-time fans would expect from the series. I did feel satisfied by the end-credits, as the game tries to paint long-time character Heihachi in a good light. However, many times during my play through, I found myself asking, “now, wait… what just happened?”. The game does offer a vault for the videos, so you can go back and re-watch them as you wish.

The video vault is only 1 of the many unlockables this game has to offer. Not only can you unlock videos and stills from Tekken 7, you can actually unlock videos and stills from every Tekken game in the series. This is extremely impressive, as it comes off as a big love letter to the series. If you are a fan of past Tekken games, this is something that will make your nostalgia kick in hard.

If you’re looking for more useful unlockables, Tekken 7 has that covered as well. This content can be unlocked through Fight Money, Treasure Battles and online Tournaments. You can find thousands of clothing items, like hats and accessories, as well as full-on costumes to change your character as you see fit. You can even individualize small details, such as your attack effects and the frame around your health meter. This title spares no expense in helping make this game uniquely you. It is extremely impressive.

If you are a fan of the series, this is definitely a must-buy. However, if you are on the fence, you may want to weigh your options with all of the fighting games currently available. As mentioned earlier, your enjoyment of Tekken 7 will come down to your individual taste for the fighting game genre. This game can be extremely imposing, but if you put in the time and practice, Tekken 7 can really make you feel like a true champion.