A new game doesn't mean it's already better than the previous one.
Since its launch at the end of January, Tekken 8 has quickly transitioned from a highly anticipated release to a game that's bombarded with criticism from its player base.
The initial excitement for this fighting game has waned, with the game's Steam reviews indicating "Mostly negative" ratings.
Declining Steam Reviews For Tekken 8
Initially greeted with enthusiasm, Tekken 8's reputation has taken a hit on platforms like Steam, where recent reviews have moved from "Mixed" to "Mostly Negative."
Despite maintaining a "Mostly Positive" status overall from 18,000 reviews, the latest batch of nearly 4,000 reviews indicates growing dissatisfaction among players, EventHubs notes.
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What Annoyed the Fans About Tekken 8
For fighting game fans, Tekken 8 is a pure product of hard work at first, with its enticing visuals and never-before-seen mechanics such as more flexible movements. However, there's more to learn about the new Bandai game.
One major source of contention has been the introduction of the Tekken Shop, which features both premium and free content, including costumes and accessories. Criticism has focused on how these items, many reworked from previous games, are locked behind a paywall, frustrating players accustomed to unlocking content through gameplay.
Katsuhiro Harada, the longtime director of Tekken, has defended these monetization strategies by citing the tripled development costs compared to Tekken 7, despite only a modest increase in-game price.
However, the inclusion of Tekken Coins, a premium currency similar to systems in other fighting games like Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 11, has exacerbated frustrations. This currency system often forces players to purchase more than they need, encouraging repeated spending.
Persistent Bugs Also Disappoint Fans
The implementation of a battle pass system, a first for the Tekken series, has added another layer of monetization that has yet to sit well with the community.
The Tekken Fight Pass, while offering free rewards, appears to many as another tactic to drive microtransactions. Moreover, the necessity to view one's progress after every match has been another point of irritation for players who prefer a more straightforward gaming experience.
On top of that, fans also called out Bandai for being greedy because of the new in-game content that will force them to go pay-to-win.
Compounding these issues, the April update, which introduced the new character Eddy Gordo and expanded the battle pass, also brought numerous bugs and gameplay issues.
Many players have reported crashes and online connectivity problems, particularly affecting certain hardware setups. Additionally, the community has voiced concerns over Bandai Namco's alleged actions against modders and the removal of user-generated content from platforms like YouTube.
Apart from that, a report from Esports. gg stated that Tekken 8 players are also not happy with the "stealth-changed matchmaking" in the game. According to some gamers, Bandai did not officially announce that it would roll out some changes in the matchmaking system.
Tekken 8 Remains Community-Friendly
Despite the backlash, Tekken 8 is still actively played, more so than its predecessor at the same post-launch stage. The game remains a focal point in competitive events, such as the Tekken World Tour 2024 and Evo Japan 2024, highlighting its ongoing relevance in the esports scene. These events continue to draw attention and demonstrate the game's strengths in a competitive setting.
While the immediate future presents challenges, particularly with the continued presence of the Tekken Shop, battle pass, and Tekken Coins, there is hope. The development team and Bandai Namco executives have the opportunity to address these issues based on player feedback.
With a long-term plan for updates and improvements, Tekken 8 has the potential to evolve significantly, hopefully addressing the community's concerns and restoring the game's reputation among its fanbase.
If Bandai wants to retain its fanbase, it should address these concerns wholeheartedly and not just to earn millions of profit. If it weren't for the players, there would be no Tekken 8 in existence.
