ARCADE WATCH
Keeping an eye on the coin-op gaming scene
After a limited location test release in Tokyo and Osaka, the latest instalment in the Tekken series was unleashed across Japan on March 18. The first game in the series to use Unreal Engine, Tekken 7 also introduces online play and now local players not only have their own screens, but also the option to choose which side of that screen to fight on.
There are two major new mechanics in the form of Rage Art and Power Crush. The former allows players in the red to forfeit the usual attack power increase in exchange for a flurry of several unblockable moves that slices 30 per cent off of their opponent’s health bar. The latter allows you to continue planting hits even while you’re being hit – you’ll still take damage, but it certainly better resembles a street brawl.
The game launched with 20 playable characters, but some industrious data miners have discovered the existence of several more characters (newcomer Dr Josie Rizal, plus Jin Kazama and Devil Jin), which Bandai Namco will be introducing as timed releases – a console-influenced crack at keeping players coming back for more, no doubt.
There’s no talk yet of any console versions, but director Katsuhiro Harada has mentioned leaning towards PS4 during development. It’s unlikely that Bandai Namco will make any announcements in the near future, though, since the company will no doubt want to avoid scuppering the game’s arcade chances in the west. Hopefully, then, there will be details about the cabinet’s overseas release soon.