Several characters have become champions of the King of Iron Fist Tournament, but hands-on time withTekken 8’s anticipated return of Heihachi brings back one of its most ruthless with a vengeance. Bandai Namco studios releasedone of gaming’s most complex and rewarding fightersand have continued to expandTekken 8with beloved DLC characters that have added even more depth to the game.Still, Heihachi’s return is a dramatic step in makingTekken 8the ultimate version of itself.
Tekken 8spoiled fans with incredible visuals, tight gameplay, and a flurry of different game modes to thoroughly entertain players of all skill levels. With accessible training and thrilling storylines for even newcomers to enjoy, there hasn’t been a better time to try theTekkenseries than with the latest installment of the game. The developer seems more than prepared tocelebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary, which wouldn’t have felt right without Heihachiin the newest game.
Heihachi was last seen after being defeated by his son Kazuya who, as a tradition inTekken’s sometimes preposterous storyline, threw his evil father in a lava-filled volcano at the end ofTekken 7’s storyline.Bandai Namco invitedScreen Rantto a hands-on preview ofTekken 8’s upcoming DLCthat will explain how Heihachi survived in a shockingly packed new story mode, which also includes a beautiful new stage and a side of the character fans have never seen before.
Unforgotten Echoes Provides An Intense New Story For Heihachi
The New Story Mode and Genmaji Temple Arena Will Be Included In A Free Update
The multiple story modes forTekken 8provided fun moments for every character, with some notable absences of several cast members who were included in various past installments. However, DLC has added Eddy and Lidia, who play a significant role in thenew story content, Unforgotten Echoes, which reintroduces Heihachi into the storyline. The extra story mode includes eight chapters, the final three of which Bandai Namco requested not be spoiled, that are intertwined into the game’s overarching plot while teasing an exciting future for the franchise, all thanks to Heihachi’s return.
Tekken 8’s new story content has players take control of Eddy and Lidia, even if the extra-characters DLC has yet to be purchased, to tell a story operating in the background of the game’s exciting plotline. Eventually, they uncover an entire temple, called Genmaji Temple, filled with buff monks, once loyal to the Mishima clan before it became tainted by the Devil Gene. Along with them is a mysteriously strong older man who has lost his memory.Lidia and her group quickly recognize him as the previous leader of the Mishima Zaibatsu, Heihachi Mishima.
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Once Heihachi re-enters the plot, long-timeTekkenfans will likely be surprised to see how much the once comically evil villain has transformed. Without his lust for power and rage towards his considerable family drama,Heihachi has become a character who is patient and seemingly kind, like a friendly grandfather.Throughout the free Unforgotten Echoes content, fans will meet andtry outTekken 8’s third DLC character, Heihachi, and experience many exciting twists as he trains to regain his strength, giving players the opportunity to discover if the old man’s combat style has changed with his attitude.
Heihachi’s Fists Are Still Fulfillingly Ferocious
Heihachi Has Been In Every Main Tekken Game & A Guest Character In Many Others
Much likeTekken 8’s cast of characters, Heihachi feels similar to how players who spent hours mastering the character in previous installments hope for, but with some refreshing changes. Many of the powerhouse’s iconic techniques, like the Demon Breath strike and Spinning Demon kicks, are still devastating but even more satisfying withTekken 8’s flashy presentation, especiallyHeihachi’s incredible ultimate attack, which is easily one of the game’s most visually impressive. However, the new version of Heihachi has multiple stances that refresh the character in fascinating ways.
Like the latest iteration of Eddy, Heihachi has a new gauge that rests just below his health bar, which fills up as the match progresses andeventually unlocks the ability to use new skills. As it progresses, multiple stances with their own techniques become available. The limited hands-on time withTekken 8’s Heihachi wasn’t enough time to master the stances, but using the simplified controls with the new character quickly showcased the incredible techniques he was capable of.
The King Of The Iron Fist Tournament Has Never Looked Better
Season Pass Holders Will Get To Play With Heihachi Early
Tekken 8’s visuals take the franchise up several notches with its incredibly detailed character models that sweat and take battle damage in a satisfyingly realistic manner. Heihachi’s electrifying techniques and earth-shattering blows feel heavy in how they affect the game world and any unfortunate fighter who finds themselves in his way. Many of the matches during the preview event took place on the new Genmaji Temple stage, which crumbled with Heihachi’s heavy attacks and flowed with red leafs along with fighters' movements.
Street Fighter 6 Or Tekken 8: Which Fighting Game Is Right For You
With Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 set to release just months apart, players may have to ask themselves which will be the right fighter for them.
Tekken 8players have a stagging level of customization options that can be unlocked in the game, allowing them to dress their favorite fighters in various costumes with eccentric styles. Spending a little time with Heihachi’s customization options, many outfits were spotted from previous games, and the opportunity to change his features, iconic hairstyle, and colors made it easy to transform Heihachi into something resembling a popular anime character or fan-favorite fighter from an entirely different gaming series. Still,Tekken 8’s impressive customization allows players to do a lot to the former champion of the King of the Iron First Tournament.
When Is Tekken 8’s Heihachi DLC Releasing?
Fans Don’t Need To Wait Long For The King’s Return
The first season pass of DLC characters forTekken 8includes a total of four characters, with one releasing each season of the year. While the identity of the fourth, due out in Winter 2024, has not been announced, players will be able toplay as Heihachi when he officially releases on June 15, 2025, at 4 PM PDTand on Early Access for Season Pass holders on September 30 at 4 PM PDT.
The additional Unforgettable Echos story mode will also be unlocked with early access. However, the new story content, which allows players to play with all three DLC characters released so far, will be included in a free update along with the new Genmaji Temple stage on October 3. If the early hands-on time with the iconic villain is anything to go by, Heihachi’s presence inTekken 8will make an already stellar fighting game an even better experience.
Screen Rantwas invited to attend an exclusive hands-on preview ofTekken 8’s Heihachi DLC content for the purpose of this preview.
