Fight!
There’s a lot coming to Tekken 8, and ahead of that time, Bandai Namco was able to provide Stevivor with a look at a new piece of story DLC featuring Eddy and Lidia alongside another content update featuring the big bad himself: Heihachi.
The new chuck of story features both Eddy, Lidia — and, even better — makes those two characters available to those who own Tekken 8 and may not want to purchase the fighters separately. It’s a bit of a try before you buy situation that also furthers the story of Tekken Force vs G Corp.
Eddy — as always — is a glorious speciment of a man, complete with perfect hair and a leopard print collar that frames a stylish jacket. As this bit of story opens, we learn that Eddy’s been leading and recruiting fighters “with conscience” in th fight against G Corp.
In the few chapters of the new story mode that I played, at least a couple flashbacks helped me to relive some of Eddy’s previous performances, mirroring what we saw in Tekken 8‘s main story. Eddy’s Rage Art is also remarkably respectful to his country and heritage.
Of the three new fighters that I got hands-on with as part of the preview, I found Eddy to be the most fun. While my PR minders attributed that to the fact that he’s a button mashers dream — and isn’t anyone in Tekken 8 because of Special Mode — I think it’s because he’s fast and fluid.
A lot of Eddy’s moves involve acrobatics of some sort, including flips or handstands. He’s quick and nimble, and in my view, just plain ol’ cool. It’s all personal preference, of course — and obviously there’s far more to that if you’re unlike me and plan on jumping online and into the meta.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Poland Lidia falls somewhere between Eddy and Heihachi, still relatively quick but with some measured moves. I didn’t really connect with her all that much, and sped through her story sections in a bid to try out Heihachi before my preview time was through.
Overall, my feelings of Tekken 8‘s story mode haven’t changed, DLC or not.
“Most cutscenes are as if ripped straight from a Super Sentai story: superpowered beings in over-the-top costumes pose dramatically as they pull off flashy moves and shout some truly cringeworthy dialogue as emotive strings provide an epic backing soundtrack,” I said at the time… and again now. “That’s not to say that’s bad… it’s just a very specific vibe.”
Heihachi, as you’d like suspect, is over the top. He’s not involved in story mode whatsoever (at least, not this version), but is playable in versus modes. Naturally, I pitted him against Kazuya on the former’s new stage, Genjami Temple.
I’m glad I did.
“You thought some measly lava could kill me,” Heihachi yells Kazuya, incredibly dramatically, and after potentially revealing that he’s had some conversations with Albert Wesker involving how to deal with a volcano.
As you’d also likely expect, Heihachi is a big, heavy lumbering brute complete with slow, deliberate, and menacing moves that illustrate his power, patience, and pedigree. Special Mode or not, he’s quite fun to play, and a welcome addition back into the Tekken roster.
Alongside all these updates are some strange ones — including Nike crossover sneakers that will be available free in-game and at (likely) at a premium price if you’d like them on your real-life feet.
Tekken 8 is available on Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS4, and PS5. Expect all the free and paid content updates throughout the year.
Stevivor was flown to Sydney, NSW from Melbounrne, VIC for the purpose of previewing Tekken 8 DLC. Non-alcoholic beverages and a light meal was provided, and transfers were paid for by Stevivor.
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