Bandai Namco strikes back in a big way: Tekken 8 will claim its own limelight in a sensational summer for fans of arcade-born fighting, and with the long-awaited release date missing, right between the releases of Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1 we can put the glove to the most aggressive installment of the entire Iron Fist saga.
As officially announced, Tekken 8 will hold an online beta. Well, technically it’s been called a network test, with what we hope is a really advanced version of the game. The peculiarity is that it is closed, so we must sign up first and choose where we want to play to request access.
And that, as we will see, is transcendental: the selection of the participants it will be done in order of arrival.
In VidaExtra we are passionate about fighting games and, in a special way, the Tekken saga. Precisely for this reason we are going to offer you all the information about it in the most simplified way so that you sign up for the trial period and start distributing combos left and right. Our starting point how to get on the bandwagon
How to sign up for the Tekken 8 closed network test
The registration to request access to the proof of Tekken 8 It is through the Tekken8CNT portal, a website specifically enabled for this. And be careful, there are deadlines: the registration period is already open and ends on June 27 at 10:00 a.m. in Spain (02:00 a.m. CDMX)although the possibility of adding a greater margin of time is left open.
What do you need? basically have a PS5, Xbox Series X or a PC and access through a Bandai Namco account that you have or create for the occasion. In fact, you can do one in less than five minutes and even less if you associate Twitter, Facebook or Google. Once the registration is formalized, you will receive a message with the confirmation and, later, an email if you are selected.
From here, a piece of advice: as we mentioned at the beginning, the selection of the participants of the closed network test of Tekken 8 It will be done on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you leave it to the last minute, you may be left out.
When will the Tekken 8 test take place?
Technically, there will be two trial periods of Tekken 8. The first will be exclusive to PlayStation players and the second will be open to all systems.
Tekken 8’s first closed network test will take place on PS5 July 21 (from 10:00 Spanish time) to July 24 (09:00 a.m.). A three-hour maintenance is expected to take place on the morning of July 22. The second closed network test of Tekken 8 will be held on PS5, Xbox Series X / S and Steam July 28 (from 10:00 Spanish time) to July 31 (09:00 a.m.). As in the previous one, a three-hour maintenance is scheduled for July 29.
Finally, after this playable aperitif, a survey (optional) will be enabled so that we can give our opinion on the game in order to refine the experience between now and its launch, still to be announced.
What has changed compared to Tekken 7
Tekken 8 It seeks to amplify the aggressiveness and emotion of the saga compared to all previous installments, and in the process it will not only take a step forward technically but also in terms of game mechanics:
the rage system
Starting has been implemented a System of Rage that is activated automatically when a health bar decreases and our character’s attack power increases. Once in operation, in addition, we can perform a Rage Art, which is the equivalent of a cinematic super-attack.
The Heat System
In addition, it has been introduced a Heat System, which can be activated once per round for 10 seconds, although the effect can be prolonged with each hit dealt. Once we start using it, our fighter will gain unique attributes and the possibility of generating recoverable damage to the opponent when he blocks.
Now, this state not only gives a huge tactical advantage, but also enables techniques like the powerful Heat Smash finisher or a Heat Dash that offers new openings for combos.
In Tekken 8 you can now recover health with each hit
As we discussed with the Heat system, the fighters’ health bar is now divided into damage taken and recoverable damage, depending on the type of attack or the circumstance in which it is generated during combat. How to recover that health? Being even more aggressive based on attacking, performing successful combos or when we generate recoverable damage on the opponent.
If you have not played the Tekken saga, the test wants to be your gateway
The new priority of today’s fighting games is to offer an alternative to the classic system in which everyone feels comfortable. Especially those starting from scratch. Tekken 8 It will follow that premise without giving up the style of a lifetime (which happens to be called Arcade Style) by offering a special Style.
What is the Special Style? Basically, it encourages us to make combos and attacks in an easy way and rescues assists when doing special techniques in Tekken 7, so that:
On the one hand, the gameplay during combat has been rethought so that it feels like action video games. And, in addition, each button offers the possibility of activating a combo and a recommended movement for each character. And not only that: this assignment changes depending on whether our fighter has activated the Heat system, the Rage or any variant.
The million dollar question: when will Tekken 8 arrive?
Bandai Namco has not set the release date for Tekken 8but looking at the fight release schedule and that the first closed network test will be held in the middle of summer, we can count on it to arrive between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024.
Of course, we expect that news will be announced in this regard throughout the major events of the summer month, including the EVO multi-tournament, GamesCom or the Tokyo Game Show.
In any case, the first litmus test for the return of the Iron Fist saga and what will indicate to us to a greater or lesser extent how far development is advanced will be the network test. And not only that: we are counting on the fact that between now and when it is held we will see the minimum and recommended requirements to play Tekken 8 on PC.
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