After a little over a week since Patch 1.04 launched, Tekken 8's Steam reviews are slowly becoming positive again. Before the deployment of the latest patch, many players hated the game's state. The majority thought the game was unbalanced with many characters being overpowered and a big other chunk feeling weak. Then there was the concern of microtransactions on top of all other issues. This led to an influx of negative reviews and resulted in a huge amount of the player base quitting the game.
Fortunately, Bandai Namco's efforts to save its game paid off as players are slowly returning and the Tekken 8 Steam reviews are also improving. The game went from Mostly Negative in late April to early May before the patch to Mixed after the update. This is likely due to Patch 1.04 balancing the majority of the characters. Prior to the patch, many players disliked going up against Eddy online. The Capoeira master was a menace and was also on top of the most-used characters chart. However, he went from reigning supreme to 13th place among all fighters.
While it's upsetting to see a character drastically drop down in the ranks, Eddy no longer staying on top means that the developers did their part to reduce his power level. In addition, fan-favorite characters like Asuka and Leroy climbed the ranks. They were previously shells of their former selves, which led to a backlash among fans. But in Patch 1.04, both fighters decently improved their placements and could rise to a higher spot as the days go by.
Tekken 8 still has a ways to go before notching a positive review status on Steam again. But based on the actions they've taken to improve the overall gaming experience, it's likely that the game could get back on top in no time.
Looking at Some Positive and Negative Tekken 8 Steam Reviews
Based on all the reviews since Patch 1.04 launched, the most positive amount of reviews Tekken 8 received was on May 8, 2024. There were 72 positive reviews with 44 negative reviews on that day. Based on the positive remarks made, those players thought that the game was still beautiful despite all of its flaws. Some of them addressed Bandai's implementation of the Tekken Shop. Others also mentioned how the latest installment is the best in the Tekken franchise due to the game's fluidity and overall appearance. While others simply hated the game.
Positive Reviews
Steam user UnluckyProfessional dropped a positive review after 343.9 hours of play. They stated that players shouldn't let negative reviews deceive them. The user thinks that Tekken 8 is the best in the franchise despite all the issues that surround it. This is what they had to say:
Don't let the recent negative reviews fool you. This is the best Tekken ever made. However, it isn't perfect, and there may be too much allowance for ungabunga gameplay, and some questionable balancing, but it's still a great Tekken. The cash shop implementation timing was questionable, but the prices are fair.
The gameplay is still fun at it's core, practice and learning tools are all amazing other than the lack of online practice at the the time of writing this, and this the best story mode and tutorial Tekken has ever had. All that aside from T8 having the best presentation for the franchise in decades. Overall, well worth buying and playing for anyone. A must play for a fighting game or Tekken fan.
Steam user YahMando777 also had positive remarks after 138.9 hours of gameplay. The user understood Bandai's need to have microtransactions. They also called out the haters to tell them that they were wasting their time and energy spreading a lot of negativity to the community. Here's what they had to say:
I think Tekken 8 is a great game and a worthy followup to tekken 7. I don't blame the dev to make a tekken shop for additional customizations and it makes the game livecycle potentially longer and adds more costume variety that would otherwise stagnate cause there is no incense to make more otherwise. I don't understand how people waste their life crying about unimportant stuff just to be able to complain about something and feeling like a morally superior. It's just such a waste of time and energy. Ghost battles are fun.
Negative Reviews
Most of the negative reviews on Steam mainly talked about the microtransactions in the game. Before Patch 1.04, many reviews discussed the game's imbalances, however, that has all changed which should be a good sign. Microtransactions will never sit well with players especially if it's a paid game. With that in mind, it's expected for players to always call out the developers for charging players extra money.
Steam user PandaKittenFace dropped a negative review after 20.7 hours of play. While the user does enjoy the game, they hate the idea of paying for cosmetics and other features with real-life money. They also hate the fact that players need to pay for skins that existed in previous Tekken games. Here's what they had to say:
So.. I do enjoy the game as a tekken game. For the most part. Nerfed defensive play is kinda sadge but it is what it is. However, all the microtransactions, both a battlepass and flat out paid costumes which are just SKINS FROM PAST GAMES is just scummy. Its not even just one or the other no no, a shop, AND a battlepass.
The games already $70 and released with pretty barebones customization. Oh, and some of those battlepass items? yeah they're actually already in the game. Male characters can wear torn karate pants. But for females? BATTLEPASS ITEM! As an example. Get bent namco.
Steam user mani8dark gave a refreshing negative take on Tekken 8 after 83 hours of gameplay. Instead of complaining about microtransactions, they ranted about the gameplay mechanics, particularly the Special Style. They also dislike how the game relies too heavily on offense versus defense. Here's what they said:
There is no offense and defense in this game, only offense. Moreover, you can beat your opponent if you use only some fraudulent moves. I think this is not only a problem of balance, but also a systemic weakness. I personally believe that the reason the game was created like this way was the “special style”. Namco may have thought that this method was only for beginners because it should be simple. Besides, I think they copied lots of things from Soul Calibur 6 like “Soul Gauge”, “Guard impact”, “Aggressive”, and so on. It was too much.
And the aerial combos are too strong and too long. Tekken 7 became a defense such as “static” game because once you got your opponent in the air you could win with a combo. If the aerial combos were made extremely weak and short, Tekken 8 might have been a more interesting game.
Verdict
Overall, it's safe to say that Tekken 8 is showing positive signs of getting back on track with the community. The complaints being less about balances in-game and more about microtransactions means that the gameplay experience has improved. This is reassuring to many fans as it's clear that Bandai is carefully considering the best possibilities to keep their player base happy. With all that said, Patch 1.04 might be the best time to hop back on the game.
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