Both pro and casual players alike are dropping Tekken. 8!
Bandai Namco’s 3D fighter is fighting the turnover rate with players since its update.
But why is this happening, and has this happened suddenly or eventually?
Dropping Tekken 8
The season dropped, and so did the players; they are dropping Tekken 8. Professional players such as Joka and streamers like MainManSwe are quitting the game or turning to other ventures. Players, as a whole, did not like the latest update, to say the least.
The recent reviews sit at mostly negative, and the official X account is getting hammered with comments. But this comes as no surprise to some following the patterns since the game’s release.
However, this update is arguably even worse than the season 2 update that got players mad to begin with.
Firstly, the big no-heat smash, no-wall-splash addition they marketed does not work. Although on first hit heat smashes do not wall splat on whiff, they do. Meaning if the second hit is the one that connects, it grants a full wall splat combo.
Therefore, you are actually encouraged to miss the first hit for maximum damage. This fully negates the whole point of removing it in the first place!
Many are dropping Tekken 8 from that and also other update-specific changes. Secondly, many characters got buffed when players were asking for nerfs. Characters like King and Law have never got a single nerf over three years. Now they are a monster pair to fight with their plus frames and jarring moveset.
Thirdly, many of the new moves are janky-looking and broken. Heihachi’s new charge attack can be glitched into perfect strings you cannot escape. Clive’s easy up-back 2, 2 looks goofy and is a plus on a hit dragon punch.
Also, the new ground slam mechanic is very poorly animated and looks cartoonishly bad.
Game Over
Although many players are dropping Tekken 8 out of frustration, there are some positives. Dead Or Alive and Virtua Fighter are coming back! But seriously though, it’s frustrating because there are two sides.
On one hand the game is a good package of content with story, single-player, multiplayer and customisation modes. Although they can be drastically improved and time attachment is not present, you do get your money’s worth of content.
However, the issue here is more so an error of the soul. The direction and implementation of the updates prove that the Tekken dev team lost its soul some time ago. Either when Harada left or, truthfully, right at the beginning, they had no ambition or drive to correct the game.
Because from a suit’s point of view it’s a success and made money and will continue to make money. So many players, even myself, have taken to stopping playing and stopping buying. It is apparent that even with the vocal loudness of fans and pros alike, asking them to adjust the game nicely just does not work.
Do what AVGN did with Ghostbusters and just don’t pay it. Although if you enjoy it, props to you; however, if you do not like the direction of the game, then do not buy the season pass. Vote with your wallet and maybe give some other fighters a chance.
Tekken is near and dear to many, especially me, but one must admit when the writing is on the patch note wall.
Honestly, Dead Or Alive has been a lot of fun, and even going back to older Tekkens has been a blast. I enjoy 6 for the gameplay and 4 for the vibes and feel the most. How about a full Tekken 4 remaster or sequel? That would be cool.
At this point I am merely typing wish fulfilment out on text, as I just do not want to play Tekken 8 anymore.
