That said, that just means I am playing the game like it is Tekken 7, and that is a sure way to lose. This can be a tad frustrating, as there were definitely times when I felt I had outplayed my opponent with the fundamentals, only for these new systems I wasn't yet familiar with to completely change the momentum of the match. Heat especially plays a vital role in Tekken 8 matches, while learning the mechanics I often found rounds I was winning handily quickly swung out of my favour because my opponent made better use of both their Heat and Rage moves. Rage Arts are a comeback mechanic for when your health is low, and Heat can be used to put pressure on your opponent throughout the round. These two mechanics add a fair diversity to your toolset. This new system comes in tandem with the returning Rage system, which allows you to use a Rage Art when your health drops below a certain threshold. Heat can have different effects for different characters, but the core mechanics of it are that your blocked attacks will do chip damage to your opponent, and while in Heat you can use a Heat Smash, an ultimate attack that does massive damage. Every round, you will be able to use a Heat Burst to enter the Heat state, which will drain the Heat meter.

Check out everything we know about the Tekken 8 roster list so far.

Anyone coming into this game expecting exactly what they have seen before is going to be surprised, and I would think pleasantly so. This is all to say that the gameplay and the graphics, the look and the feel of Tekken 8 is a whole new beast from the last game. I'm not an expert, but I don't think I've ever hit so many of King's running powerbombs as quickly before Tekken 8. Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada has stated that encouraging faster, more aggressive play is the goal with Tekken 8, and the game feels absolutely rapid to me.

The extra clarity is well-needed, as this feels like one of the fastest and most aggressive Tekken games I have played. All of the wild hit and motion effects that Tekken is known for also benefit from the upgrade in visuals. The character models are exceptionally detailed, as are the stages. Tekken 8 looks amazing, both still and in motion. It is easy to forget sometimes that we live in the future, and games are getting way prettier. The first thing to notice about Tekken 8 is that it is stunning to look at.

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