Bandai Namco released another Tekken 8 teaser trailer during The Game Awards 2022, showcasing the story and gameplay elements in all of its Unreal Engine 5 glory. The trailer featured revised versions of some of the most iconic Tekken characters, including King, Paul, Jack-8, Lars, and Law. Interestingly enough, the trailer also features Jun Kazama, who is Jin Kazama’s mother. She was last seen in Tekken 2, where she was presumed dead. Yes, Jun Kazama has appeared in the game following Tekken 2, but not as herself or as an actual person. There have been numerous theories, among Tekken franchise fans, that Jun was alive all this time. And her featuring alongside Jin and Kazuya in Tekken 8 is a big deal for everyone. The gameplay trailer gives a glimpse into what to expect from both the narrative and gameplay aspects of Tekken 8. For obvious reasons, we didn’t get much info about the game’s overall story. But, it seems to involve the good old rivalry between Jin (the good side) and Kazuya (the evil side), with Jin trying to defeat Kazuya with the help of his mother, Jun. The trailer highlights fluid fighting mechanics with vibrant colors shown in real time, thanks to Unreal Engine 5. According to Bandai Namco, the environment will be both dynamic and destructible, leading to a more immersive fighting experience. Tekken 8 also features a new Heat System mechanic which will trigger new “aggressive” attacks to help improve the character’s special moves. Tekken 8 was first teased earlier this year during the EVO fighting game championship series 2022, followed by an official reveal trailer during Sony’s State of Play in September 2022. Unfortunately, Bandai Namco has still not given us any release date, but it is safe to assume that fans can expect it anytime in 2023.
