Gameplay Impressions
Gameplay ImpressionsThe scenario campaign is top of the list of game modes in the main menu of Tekken 6, which suggest to us that it’s the ideal place to start our brand new Tekken experience. However, if you do that you're very likely to be disappointed. Though it’s a mode that adds further longevity beyond the standard arcade gameplay that we’ve become accustomed to, and it does offers a change of pace and direction, it ditches the superb technical fighting and polished graphics that are synomous with the series and replaces them with a dated look and a clumsy fighting system that is hampered by poor camera angles, lazy level design, a dodgy targeting system and poorly thought-out save points. Maybe the addition of online co-op, which should be added via a patch before Christmas, will make it a bit more fun, but we can't see many people, apart from those who are obsessed with unlockables - and some Tekken fans who may enjoy the cut-scene heavy storyline - getting anything out of it.
The good news is that arcade mode makes up for the bizarre addition of scenario campaign, by bringing everything together that we love about the series and adding some great new features, alongside some brilliant new, and stunningly motion-captured, fighters. The wealth of choice in the fighting roster is outstanding with each character having a unique look and move set, which affords you with the luxury of being able to test out dozens of different play styles. Each character, without exception, offers something new both visually and technically and they're a joy to control thanks to the smooth animation and tight control scheme.
Presentation is also outstanding, with beautifully rendered backdrops and highly detailed character models that move with fluidity and grace. The colourful cast of characters are a big reason why the Tekken series has gained such a good reputation and the eight new highly detailed characters fit into the Tekken mould like they've been around for years, offering an entertaining array of moves and unique personalities.
Click for larger imageIn the arena, rage mode plays its part by adding a new strategic depth to the gameplay, as do the multi-tiered environments. Item moves, though they don't inflict that much damage on your opponent,also add a fun to each battle and give you a chance to show-off some great, and often amusing, special moves. Indeed, Tekken 6 is fun to play; a stylish fighter that entertains with its over-the-top combos, aggressive close range punch-ups, impressive visuals and strategic trading of blocks and blows.
Sadly, Tekken 6 loses some marks for its performance in the online arena, which suffers more often than not from shuddering frame-rates that often means that players quit before the match is over. Nevertheless, Tekken's 6 arcade, versus mode is as consistently brilliant as ever, with great new features and entertaining characters that add a new layer to the strategy and give you even more to think about. Taking everything into account, including the disappointment of scenario campaign and the poor online performance, Tekken 6 still deserves a high rating. As far as we're concerned the series has always been about its arcade routes and two guys being thrown into an arena to spectacularly beat the living daylights out of each other. In that respect, Tekken 6 does its job admirably - the campaign scenario is an unnecessary diversion.
Final Score - 8/10
