Now thatTekken 8’s first yearly release cycle of DLC characters has officially wrapped up, it seems likely that the successful title could continue with a similar schedule for several years to come. If it ends up surviving for as long as its predecessor, further packs of four or more additional fighters could be consistently released across half a decade. Considering the breadth of the base roster to begin with, however, there are only so many directionsTekken 8can take even its next DLC season.
Despite initially launching with 32 fighters,Tekken 8left out numerous classic charactersdue to the sheer scale of the franchise’s history. While the majority of the IP’s most popular faces are accounted for in the latest entry, some seem to have been relegated to the status of future hyped DLC releases in the same vein as Eddy or Heihachi. When factoring in the significance of those who are currently missing along with the growing presence of guests, the right line-up for Playable Character Year 2 Pass is capable of doing a lot of justice.
Two Distinct Eras of Tekken Should Be Balanced in Representation
Several Later Introductions to Tekken Deserve Updates on Their Arcs
The period defined by being set afterTekken 3’s place in the timelinehas been the status quo for the majority of the series' lifespan, and some characters who made their debuts following its release have been left behind and picked up along the way. Julia is a fan-favorite who would probably make a splash on par with the attention she received inT7, while Fahkumram could follow up on his similar status as DLC in that title to cement his place as the premier Muay Thai user within the franchise. Bob and Miguel each bring unique fighting styles to the table, and the latter would be sure to have a strong reaction to Jin’s recent development.
Series Veterans of Kazuya’s Generation Have Been Left in the Past
When it comes to older characters from the first twoTekkenentries, some haven’t been seen in a playable and canon capacity since the 2000s. Bruce could have been seen as having passed the torch toJosie Rizal inTekken 7, but he’s since stuck out as seemingly forgotten.
Wang and Baek have had impacts on Xiaoyu and Hwoarang respectively, but that doesn’t diminish their individual personalities and possible gameplay quirks. The absurdity ofTekken’s boxing raptor Alexfurther offers a humorous appeal that could bolster awareness around the game as it continues to age.
More Guest Characters Seem to Be on the Horizon for Tekken 8
Clive’s Inclusion May Be a Sign of T7’s DLC Strategy Repeating
There were four guests inTekken 7, two from other fighting game series, one from an action RPG, and one from a television series.Clive Rosfield’s addition toTekken 8has lined up with one of these previous crossovers so far, making it unsurprising if this remains the case. The most popular requests unfortunately don’t seem likely, asFF7’s Tifa would now mean an unprecedented repeat ofFinal Fantasy, whileLike a Dragon’s Kiryu is more poised to potentially appear in Sega’s upcomingVirtua Fighter 6.
If representatives of other fighting games are once again included, a handful could resonate strongly.Street Fighter 6’s Juri has a magnetic persona and dark streak that could match Akuma, while the currentSoulcaliburhiatus could make a guest slot for Ivy her only shot at appearing for years. WithFatal Fury: City of the Wolvescoming this year, Rock Howard may end up as an equally viable pick that would follow his father’s legacy.
Negan was a wild card addition toT7, asThe Walking Deadwasn’t necessarily at the peak of its run when he was announced. Considering he still represented a popular TV series of the time, however, more characters from the medium aren’t out of the question. With even DLC development likely planned up to a year or more in advance, pop culture faces from TV of the past couple years would officially mark a pattern. One of the central cast ofHBO’sThe Last of Uscould fill the most similar niche to Negan, as a displaced post-apocalyptic survivor. Butcher ofThe Boyswould be a striking parallel toMortal Kombat 1’s Homelander, while the medieval flair of a Targaryen from theGame of Thronesuniverse wouldn’t feel out of place after Clive’s inclusion.
The Soft Confirmation of Anna Williams Only Leaves Three Character Slots to Fill
There’s an undeniable value associated with the return of the likes of crowd pleasers like Armor King, but his relative similarity to the original King makes other candidates worth prioritizing. It’s been heavily hinted thatAnna Williams is coming toTekken 8in a teaser trailer for the upcoming season pass, meaning its further reveals are limited assuming it also contains four total fighters. This makes what each character represents even more crucial, but also allows the pass to benefit from Anna’s classic status.
Her ubiquitous place in the series makes theaddition of Julia Chang toTekken 8feel inevitable, with her Chang Kenpo style offering straightforward accessibility that makes her a solid choice for newcomers and returning players alike. While the game could use a Muay Thai practitioner, Josie’s less established persona may struggle to match up to the recognizable status of Bruce or the hulking intimidation of Fahkumram. Unless the second season pass goes the route of laterT7, it’s nearly guaranteed to feature yet another guest in a crossover with a property as attention-grabbing asFF16, be it another game or different medium.
Tekken 8
WHERE TO PLAY
Tekken 8 brings the fight to the latest generation of consoles, powered by Unreal Engine 5. Feel the power of every hit in Tekken 8, the latest entry in the legendary fighting game franchise from Bandai Namco. Utilising the power and realism of Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 pushes the envelope for fighting games by taking full advantage of the power of the latest generation of consoles. Ground-breaking new features, breathtakingly detailed character models and dramatic environments make this one of the most visually stunning and immersive titles in the genre yet. Tekken 8 picks up after the gruesome battle that ended in Heihachi Mishima’s defeat in Tekken 7, focusing on a new rivalry, pitting father against son as Jin Kazama stands in defiance against Kazuya Mishima in a city-shattering face-to-face showdown.
