Tekken 8is continuing the trend of recent fighters likeStreet Fighter 6andGranblue Fantasy Versus: Risingby including a new feature to entice new players. With its “Special Style,” the King of Iron Fist Tournament is poised to suck new players into its surprisingly bizarre story.
Tekken 8 joins the new generation of fighting game controls
Special Style is a new control method where players are able to pull off special moves and combos with the press of a button. Unlike the Modern Controls inStreet Fighter 6, Special Style can toggled on or off at any point in the fight by pressing LB (L1). This makes it a great tool that allows players to learn a character while also making simpler controls just a touch away in tough spots.
Specialty Move
Pressing X (Square) launches aHeat Engager, which primes an offensive drive. This begins consuming theHeat Bar, which is a meter below the character’s health bar. ShouldHeatalready be activated,Heat Dashwill trigger automatically, lunging the character forward.
With Heat activated, Special Style allows players to unleash flashy and devastating combos just by pressing X (Square). Attacks can also be varied by pressing Left, Right, or Down in addition to X (Square).
Air Combo
Pressing Y (Triangle) initiates a combo setup. Should the blow connect, Special Style allows players to continue the air combo using the same button. Players can also experiment with different moves during the Air Combo by pressing different buttons like Y, X, X (Triangle, Square, Square) or Y, A, A (Triangle, X, X).
Power Crush, Low Attack, and Throws
These attacks are going to be the bread and butter for your mix-ups and counterattacks. Pressing A (X) activatesPower Crush, which is a counterattack that is most effective just before an opponent’s blow is about to land. Think of it like the Parry System inStreet Fighter 6,where you can take the hit and launch into your offensive.
B (Circle) launches low attacks, which can counter Power Crush and blocking. This can also be used to set up Air Combos or Specialty Moves. Like any fighter, it’s all about keeping your opponent off guard.
Finally, using B and a directional button will perform a throw, which is also a great countermeasure against someone who is turtling. It’s also fun to take advantage of an opening and completely disrupt another player’s flow.
Heat Burst and Heat Smash
Heat Burstactivates the Heat System by pressing RB (R1) and strikes out at your foe. Should the blow connect, you’ll be able to chain it into a combo. Alternatively, you may press RB (R1) again to activateHeat Smash, which consumes the entirety of the Heat Bar in exchange for a powerful attack.
Rage Art
When your health is low (last fifth of your health bar), you’ll be able to enter theRage Stateby pressing RT (R2). Much like Power Crush, Rage Art allows you to soak hits and deal explosive damage to your opponent. It’s a neat little final stand mechanic where you can use it to turn the tables. Just don’t expect it to hand you a victory, as you’re not invincible in Rage State.
