Tekken 9 Franchise History Review

Tekken 9 Franchise History Review

Get ready to dive deep into the world of Tekken! We’re about to take a super fun trip through time, looking at all the amazing games that have led us to where we are today, with everyone eagerly waiting for the possibility of Tekken 9. We’ll explore how this fighting game series became one of the most beloved franchises in the world, from its humble beginnings to its current popularity. We’ll talk about the characters, the stories, the gameplay, and how Tekken has changed over the years. So, let’s get started!

The Genesis of Tekken: A Punchy Beginning

Our adventure starts way back in 1994, with the very first Tekken game. Imagine a world before super fancy 3D graphics! This was a time when gaming was really starting to take off, and Tekken came along to shake things up. Released by Namco, it was a brand-new kind of fighting game. It was different from its competitors by bringing 3D movement and characters that could walk into and out of the background. The game’s core concept was the King of Iron Fist Tournament, which brought together a bunch of skilled fighters, each with their own special moves and reasons for fighting. Some of the iconic characters we know and love like Paul Phoenix, Kazuya Mishima, and Nina Williams made their first appearances here. It had a simple, but addicting, gameplay where the focus was mostly on memorizing the characters movesets.

Key Features of the First Tekken Game:

• Introduction of the King of Iron Fist Tournament concept.
• Debut of iconic characters like Paul, Nina, and Kazuya.
• Groundbreaking 3D gameplay.
• Simple, yet engaging combat system.

Tekken wasn’t just another game; it was a milestone that paved the way for future installments. It introduced the world to a fighting series that was here to stay.

Tekken 2: Bigger and Better

Just a year after, in 1995, Tekken 2 arrived. It built upon the foundations of the first game and added even more exciting elements. The game improved graphics, added more fighters, and expanded the storyline. One of the most important changes in Tekken 2, was adding even more moves for each character. Also, it further developed the lore of the Mishima family and added more complicated background stories to the other characters as well. The gameplay felt more polished, and the controls became a little more responsive. Also, special moves called throws and combos were implemented, which increased the skill ceiling for the game. And a whole host of new faces like Lei Wulong, Jun Kazama, and Baek Doo San jumped into the fighting ring, further expanding the world of Tekken.

What Made Tekken 2 Special:

• Enhanced graphics and gameplay.
• Larger roster of playable characters.
• Added throws and more powerful combos.
• Expanded storylines for each character

Tekken 2 cemented Tekken’s place as a leader in the fighting game genre, showing players that the series was always looking to get better.

Tekken 3: A Milestone in Fighting Games

Tekken 3, which came out in 1997, is often considered one of the best fighting games ever. It introduced a lot of changes to the series that made it more dynamic. We got to meet new younger characters like Jin Kazama (Kazuya’s son), Eddy Gordo, and Hwoarang. These characters each brought a new style of fighting into the game. The gameplay was completely changed by the introduction of sidestepping, which made movement and combat far more fluid. Characters were more dynamic, making combat more engaging. Players had to think on their feet and adapt to their opponents moves. It was a big leap forward, making the game more complex and fun.

Tekken 3’s Major Contributions:

• Introduction of side-stepping for movement.
• Debut of fan-favorite characters like Jin, Eddy, and Hwoarang.
• More dynamic and fluid combat system.
• Significant improvement to overall gameplay mechanics

Tekken 3 wasn’t just an upgrade; it was a game changer. It set a new standard for how 3D fighting games should be.

Tekken Tag Tournament: Tag Team Mayhem

In 1999, we got Tekken Tag Tournament, a special game which was a little different than the other series, because the gameplay involved fighting in teams of two characters. It’s a “non-canonical” entry in the series, meaning the story isn’t a part of the main storyline. The game is about having the entire roster in one game. The game featured every single character from the previous three games, which was super exciting for Tekken fans. The tag system, where you could switch characters mid-fight, made for crazy fun combos and strategies. It was great to play the game with your friend as tag partners, and it made Tekken fun and fresh.

What Made Tag Tournament Unique:

• Introduction of tag team gameplay.
• Massive roster featuring characters from previous games.
• New combat strategies focusing on team mechanics
• Not following the main storyline.

Tekken Tag Tournament was a fun detour, showing how the core game could evolve into something new and entertaining.

Tekken 4: A New Direction

In 2001, Tekken 4 was released, marking another big change for the series. This time the graphics were significantly improved, along with a more serious and mature tone. The gameplay became much more tactical. This was due to a lot of things, for instance, they added the use of walls to the fighting stages, this made gameplay feel much more strategic. The game focused more on the story and the Mishima family drama. Tekken 4 presented a more serious tone to its players. Some of the characters were also redesigned, which caused some controversy. It was a brave move that showed the developers weren’t afraid to try different things.

Tekken 4’s Innovations:

• Addition of walls to the fighting stages.
• More tactical and strategic gameplay.
• More serious and mature tone.
• Visual redesigns of some characters

Tekken 4 showed that the Tekken team was keen on trying different approaches, even if it meant shaking things up a bit.

Tekken 5: Return to Form

Tekken 5, which came out in 2004, was like a return to the classic Tekken feel. The fans wanted a more traditional gameplay and less drastic changes, and Tekken 5 delivered. This game was a return to the high-energy and faster-paced fighting. The game re-introduced many key features from previous games, while refining and polishing them further. It also introduced new characters like Raven and Feng Wei, who were very popular with the fans. The game is a classic Tekken title, and it is still played by a large number of fans to this day.

Tekken 5’s Strengths:

• Return to faster-paced fighting.
• Refinement of classic Tekken mechanics.
• Introduction of new characters like Raven and Feng Wei

Tekken 5 reminded everyone why they fell in love with the series in the first place and proved that sometimes going back to your roots can be the best move.

Tekken 6: Expanding the Saga

Tekken 6 was released in 2007 and continued the story of the Mishima family saga with even more intensity. The game introduced new characters like Lars Alexandersson, Alisa Bosconovitch, and Bob. The fighting mechanics were improved even further, providing more complex gameplay. It included a new “Rage” system that gave players a power boost when they had low health, adding a dramatic twist to the combat. The game was a big success and built on the legacy of the previous installments.

Tekken 6’s Contributions:

• Introduction of the “Rage” system.
• Addition of new characters like Lars and Alisa.
• More complex and refined fighting mechanics.

Tekken 6 was a great addition to the series, proving that the storytelling and gameplay could evolve even further.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Double the Action

In 2011, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 came out, bringing back the crazy tag team fights, but this time with more characters and content. Like the first Tag Tournament, this one had every character that was in the series until then, giving players a huge range of characters to pick. The gameplay had a lot of new mechanics that improved the tag system and made the team fights more exciting. It was a fun game for casual players, but it was also complex and deep enough for people who liked competitive play.

Highlights of Tag Tournament 2:

• Expanded tag team mechanics.
• Complete roster from previous Tekken games.
• More complex gameplay and combos.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 was a huge celebration of the series, offering something for everyone.

Tekken 7: The Climax of the Mishima Saga

Tekken 7, which was released in 2015 (with console and PC versions in 2017), is the most recent main installment in the series. The game focused on concluding the Mishima family’s long and complex story. It had even more new mechanics, and a larger amount of different move sets than before. New features like “Rage Arts” and “Power Crush” made the game more dynamic. Also, Tekken 7 introduced guest characters from other franchises like Akuma from Street Fighter, Geese Howard from Fatal Fury, and Negan from The Walking Dead. This made the game even more interesting for fans of other games. Tekken 7 was a big success and kept the series relevant for years.

Key Features of Tekken 7:

• Conclusion of the Mishima family storyline.
• Introduction of “Rage Arts” and “Power Crush”.
• Guest characters from other franchises.
• Further expansion of fighting mechanics.

Tekken 7 was a strong end to a chapter in the series, while also keeping fans guessing about the future of the franchise.

Looking Towards Tekken 9 and Beyond

As we look forward to the future, it’s exciting to think about what Tekken 9 might bring. Tekken has come a long way since its first release, growing and changing with the times. The series has always been about exciting action, deep stories, and lots of memorable characters. The games have always been about fast-paced fights and complex move sets. With each game, the series has kept getting better, making it a must-play series for fighting game fans. So, while we all wait for the possibility of Tekken 9, let’s remember the amazing journey this series has taken us on. It’s been quite a ride! It’s important to appreciate the evolution of the series and consider what new mechanics and characters could be introduced in Tekken 9, should it happen. It’s clear that the future is bright for this legendary fighting series.