The Tekken 7 release date is just days away, with Bandai Namco Games’ latest fighting game dropping for PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One this Friday. Originally released in Japanese arcades in March 2015, Tekken 7 marks a significant turning point in the series, bringing about the conclusion to the long-running Mishima family feud as Kazuya and Heihachi square off in one last punch-up to determine the ultimate victor.
In an effort to keep things fresh, Namco has injected a number of new key gameplay tweaks into the mix this time around, chief among which includes the new Rage Arts. Using your character’s Rage Meter, which allows you to dish out more damage when you have taken a beating, gamers can unleash all-new powerful attacks to turn the tide of battle, or focus their rage into one meaty manoeuvre to help even the odds. The Bound system from Tekken 6 and Tag 2 has been removed in favor of the Tailspin, which pushes your opponent back mid-air and has them land in a manner that allows you to continue juggling them a bit longer.
In addition, Tekken 7 features a comprehensive story campaign that plucks influence from recent fighting games such as Mortal Kombat X and Injustice 2, where gamers will follow the Mishima saga and uncover answers to numerous Tekken series mysteries. New characters are also offered up, including Shaheen, the franchise’s first ever Saudi Arabian brawler, plus Street Fighter’s Akuma. Finally, there’s heaps of unlockable content to tuck into by nabbing prize money to upgrade your characters with items, plus a dedicated online mode that accommodates Ranked, Non-ranked, and tournament matches.
Check out the Tekken 7 reviews roundup below. We’ll add more scores as soon as they become available.
The Games Machine – 9/10
PlayStation LifeStyle – 8.5/10
Game Informer – 8/10
GamesRadar – 4/5
Twinfinite – 4/5
Attack of the Fanboy – 4/5
Destructoid – 8/10
EGM – 7.5/10