Tekken 8 Tekken 8 launched earlier this year, but it feels like a lot has happened to the game between then and now: several major tournament introductions, numerous gameplay updates and tweaks, and two fan-favorite DLC characters. Now, Tekken 8 is gearing up for the return of none other than Heihachi Mishima, invincible as a cockroach and eager to reclaim the title of overlord of the Mishima clan.
Bandai Namco gave us a sneak peek at the upcoming Version 1.08, releasing October 3 on PS5, which adds Heihachi as a playable character alongside a new stage and a new set of story fights and cinematics that continue the Tekken 8 saga. We also chatted with Tekken series creative director Katsuhiro Harada and Tekken 8 director Kohei Ikeda.
Spending quality time with the world's worst father fighter
If you're worried that Heihachi's near-death experience has radically changed the way he plays, fear not. Much of Heihachi's moves will feel very familiar to Tekken veterans, and old, beloved staples like the Wind God Fist are still there to make you feel right at home.
That's not to say he doesn't have any new tricks. At certain points he can adopt two new stances, God of Thunder and God of Wind, which allow him to use some powerful new moves. And that's not all – Heihachi can also transform with Warrior Instinct, a powered-up state that requires Heihachi to enter Heat state three times. Warrior Instinct grants various buffs, such as more recoverable health damage and modified/additional abilities. For example, Heihachi's axe kick, which is already a good pressure tool, gains additional follow-ups when Warrior Instinct is activated. However, since Heat usage is restricted to once per round, you'll only get to see Heihachi at his full potential when you're fairly deep into battle.
“When we brought Heihachi back from the ‘death,’ we needed him to be convincing. He had to feel powerful if he managed to survive. I wanted new gameplay mechanics that tied into the story. The Tekken Monks, who debut in the new story content, are also tied to Heihachi. We wanted him to feel like he had learned some of the long-buried, secret techniques of the Mishima Style,” says Tekken 8 director Kohei Ikeda.
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Heihachi also includes a new level, Genmaji Temple, a secluded hideaway in the middle of a beautiful forest where Tekken Monks train all day long. Both daytime and nighttime variants of the level are available to battle through.
“We wanted the stage to be the focal point of Heihachi’s return,” Ikeda continues. “We wanted the stage to reflect Japanese stylistic tastes, like the falling leaves indicating the change from autumn to winter. But since it’s a training camp, we wanted to make it clear that it’s a place where people have been practicing martial arts for a long time, but there’s also a touch of humor when you see the strange movements the monks do.”
The story of Fists and Destiny continues
I also got a chance to go over the new story content that will be added in the next update. This episode, titled Unforgotten Echoes, focuses on Eddy, Lidia, and Yoshimitsu, who come together in the midst of the ongoing conflict. Eddy is trying to atone for his crimes with Tekken Force, while Lidia receives news of an isolated tribe of monks with ancient ties to the Mishima clan. When they travel to the Genmaji Temple, the trio encounters a very unexpected but very familiar face
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“Heihachi is very important to the ongoing story, but he’s also a character that a lot of players want,” says Katsuhiro Harada, creative director for the Tekken series. “The same could be said for Eddy and Lidia. Eddy was necessary to the story, and capoeira is an iconic martial art that a lot of people enjoy, so we wanted to include him. And then Lidia was added at the end of Tekken 7. She practices karate and proved to be extremely popular. So the factors we considered are: they play important roles in the story, players wanted them, they were used a lot, or they had new fighting scenarios. The DLC characters so far have those elements, which is why they were added.”
Tekken 8 Update Patch Arrives October 3 on PS5. Early Access begins September 30 for pre-orders. Even if you don’t plan to purchase Heihachi, the Unforgotten Echoes story and other new content, including a customizable home screen, will be available for free to all players.
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