An exceptional and multi-platform 'Tekken' game for teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Products & Purchases
a lot
There are pricier versions of Tekken 8 with extra content (called Deluxe and Ultimate), as well as a paid option for a Playable Character Year 1 Pass (with four new fighters introduced over the year) and, launched after Tekken 8 came out, a premium in-game shop that focuses on microtransactions.
Violence & Scariness
some
There's no blood or gore but Tekken 8 is a "Teen"-rated fighting game with martial arts battles between two characters who punch, kick, and throw. Some fighters can use weapons -- like lasers, swords and bombs -- but no one dies graphically.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Most of the female characters in the game wear revealing outfits like bikinis, short skirts, and low-cut blouses (with jiggling breasts when they move).
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Like other Tekken games, Tekken 8 can be easy to pick up but hard to master. The controls are simple at first, as players learn to punch, kick and throw, but then get more challenging with advanced moves, special attacks, and chained combos.
Positive Role Models
a little
The Story Mode initially focuses on Jin Kazama, who challenges his father Kazuya Mishima to a fight of all fights. On one hand it's not positive as Jin realizes he must defeat (i.e. kill) his devil-powered father to end generations of turmoil in his family lineage, but on the other hand, he wants to do this to save future generations from pain. You can play as up to 32 characters in the game, many of whom talk about positive attributes during scenes -- about respect, nobility, and honor -- but they're fighting to the defeat others, so perhaps not very positive.
Positive Messages
very little
As with most fighting games, there aren't any takeaway messages in Tekken 8. The main theme is fighting and battling to win, which means beating down another character. That said, there's a story mode that continues from Tekken 7, about a conflict between father and son, but the story takes a back seat to the action.
Diverse Representations
very little
The game has many male and female fighters (and supernatural ones, too). There are some Asian and White characters, but very few Black characters. This spurred some negative press when the game initially came out. There's also a lack of diverse body types in this Tekken game -- with mostly muscular men and thin and young women -- compared to previous titles.
Parents need to know that Tekken 8 is a fighting game you can play on different platforms. Players choose a character and use mostly hand-to-hand combat, but some weapons too, to fight another character until one wins. There's also a 'devil' theme in the game, and characters can unlock devil powers during battles. But there's no blood or gore. The game has female fighters who don't wear much clothing. There is some bad language in the game, including the word 's--t.' After the game was released, Bandai Namco added an in-game shop where players can spend real money on content.
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What’s It About?
This is the first new Tekken game in seven years, developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Arika. Tekken 8 has several modes, including a story-based campaign called The Dark Awakens, which happens six months after Tekken 7. It follows Jin Kazama, who's set to fight his devil-powered father, Kazuya Mishima, to end generations of chaos. Players can choose from 32 unique characters, including fan favorites and some new ones.
Other game modes include Arcade Quest (a practice mode using your own avatar), Tekken Fighting Lounge (where you can meet, chat, and fight others online), Super Ghost Battles (a single-player mode that uses data from real players), and Tekken Ball (a beach game that combines volleyball and dodgeball). Tekken 8 keeps the familiar controls fans love but adds a new system for aggressive play, including a Heat System that powers up your attacks once per round. There's also a Special Style feature that makes it easier to perform different moves and combos. Note: Tekken 8 looks and plays the same on both consoles and the PC version, despite minor graphic differences.
Tekken 8 might be the best game in this long-running series, not just because of the amazing graphics, but because of the great fighting mechanics, tight controls, and many solo and multiplayer modes. There are a few minor issues, and some players might be unhappy with the Tekken Shop, feeling like they need to spend more money on characters and customization. But overall, Tekken 8 is a super fun game for both new and old fans.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in video games the appeal of fighting games, like Tekken 8. Why do we find these games fun? How do you separate the fighting in the game from how you react in real life? What feeling do you get when you're fighting in the game?
There's an underlying story in the game of a son having to defeat his devil-powered father. Is that a good lesson for kids as young as 13 (since the game is rated "Teen")? Or will players that age understand it's just a make-believe story?
ESRB rating:
T for Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Last updated:
June 6, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
