Tekken 7 Review

Available On: Xbox One, Windows, PS4

Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment

Genre: Fighting

Official Site: Tekken 7

Release Date: June 2nd, 2017

Where To Buy It: XBox Store, PSN, Local Retailers

With the release of Tekken 7, I found myself trying to remember back to the first title in the series. I can’t remember the first time I played Tekken but I’m almost certain it was at an arcade called “Aladdin’s Castle” located in my hometown. It was an incredibly addictive game and was also one of the first of its kind to use 3D animation. Despite a limited release in Japan in 2015, I had seen very little of Tekken 7 until I heard about the title coming to consoles in June 2017. I did eventually snag a review copy after release but I had my first hands-on experience at Wizard World Philadelphia on June 2nd.

The biggest edition to the console version of Tekken 7 is the story mode, which plays out like a grand cinematic film. There are all sorts of over the top action and slow-mo fight scenes. Not to mention throwing a child off a mountain and that’s just what happens in the beginning. It essentially follows in the same footsteps as Injustice 2. You’ll find yourself bouncing around between characters as the larger story plays out in the background. Personally, I like this style. I have been away from the series for some time and this allowed me to get a feel for the characters again. Other gamers who may be more set in their ways and fighting styles may find this play to be a bit tedious.

The story of Tekken 7 is told through the eyes of a narrator who has lost his wife and son during the ongoing world war thanks to the Iron Fist tournament. If you’re not interested in the story, it’s very easy to get lost in the sauce and the campaign will drone on for you. If you are interested in the story, think of it as a hard reboot. You’ll come across a number of memorable scenes from the series and the final battle has Heihachi and Kazuya facing off in an epic showdown. Despite that final battle, be sure to stick around for a post credit scene/battle.

My favorite thing about Tekken 7 and the franchise for that matter is that you can be a button masher. Sure you have an advantage by knowing all the combos and moves but just about anyone can pick up a controller and play. This is one of the key things that makes Tekken 7 worth a buy. When I buy a fighting game, I don’t want to have to spend endless hours learning combos and special moves. I want to be able to play. At most, I want to be able to take a quick glance at the “move” section and be able to unleash my special abilities as if I were a master.

Tekken 7 does include some new things such as “Rage Art” and “Rage Drive.” These can only be activated when your health begins to fall below a certain level. It’s like in one of those movies where the hero spends five minutes getting beat up, only to hulk out and unleash fury on his opponent. The lower your health, the stronger the attack will be. If you’ve played Injustice 2, the Rage Art is equal to the super moves performed there. A short cinematic scene will pop up as you obliterate your enemy with powerful strikes. Tekken 7 also has a vast amount of customization available. If you’re a completionist, you’ll find yourself busy for some time.

When you complete matches, you’ll earn Fight Money. This money can be used to purchase all sorts of unique outfits and props for your character. The combinations and choices here literally feel endless and some options are very humorous. On one occasion I saw a character equipped with a Pizza. In addition, you can also customize your name display, titles and even the look of your health bar for when you play online. This is certainly a great feature as it allows players to create their own unique appearance that will make them stand apart from other players. A Treasure Battle Mode is also available which will grant you unique unlockable items that are unavailable for purchase with Fight Credits. Like I said earlier, if you’re a completionist, you’ll have your hands full here.

Have you played Tekken 7? If so, what did you think? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. Also be sure to check out on of our latest articles on the site involving trends in video games.

Verdict: Tekken 7 is a superb fighting game that just about anyone can pick up and play. It’s addicting, fun and a little ridiculous but it’s all worth it. The new “Rage Art” and “Rage Drive” are solid additions along with the new story mode. With 30 + characters available to choose from as well as endless combinations for customization, Tekken 7 is a game that will keep you busy for quite some time.

Tekken 7 Review

Raise your fists and great ready for the ultimate battle on the newest generation of home consoles. Powered by the Unreal Engine 4, the storied fighting franchise returns for another round in TEKKEN 7. With the faithful 3D battle system and gameplay intact, TEKKEN 7 takes the franchise to the next level with photo-realistic graphics and innovative features and fighting mechanics. TEKKEN 7 resurrects the attitude, competitiveness rooted in its arcade DNA to provide the ultimate fighting experience.

Overall Score

Great

Pros: