Tekken 8 reveals Kuma gameplay trailer

Bandai Namco has dropped the gameplay reveal for another of its iconic characters. Kuma returns alongside the 32 characters that will make up Tekken 8's roster. Earlier this year, The publisher showcased gameplay trailers for others, such as Nina Williams and Hwoarang, along with newcomers Azucena, Victor, and Reina in Tekken 8.

For now, Bandai Namco has stated that the game will feature 32 fighters. However, given the modern practices in the gaming industry, we wouldn't doubt if new ones emerge in the form of DLC and/or a Season Pass in the future. If you plan to play Tekken 8 on PC, ensure you have the requirements for the game to run flawlessly.

Kuma retains his iconic moveset from previous Tekken titles, incorporating both old techniques and new ones. Many of these involve using a salmon as a weapon to inflict severe damage on opponents. His Rage Art, in particular, transforms the same salmon brilliantly into a missile, exploding the flying Panda in the trailer. In previous Tekkens, Panda was a skin for Kuma but also considered a distinct character. Since then, she has become a unique character.

Some eagle-eyed fans noticed that Kuma is sporting what appears to be Heihachi Mishima's outfit, his master. Heihachi met his demise in Tekken 7, and despite his previous displays of resilience, director Katsuhiro Harada mentioned that he is definitively gone this time.

Did you know Tekken holds the World Record for the "Longest-running videogame storyline?" It's a record we might expect to belong to an RPG or narrative-driven franchise, but it's from the competitors of the King of Iron Fist Tournament. The record claims that the same storyline has been followed since the first game. That being said, Tekken 8 continues the story after the conclusion of Tekken 7, where Heihachi Mishima passes away. Now, the focus is on the rivalry of another father and son, Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima.

Tekken 8 has also jumped on the Street Fighter 6 bandwagon and added a new control scheme called Special Style, combining the Easy Combo and Assist from Tekken 7 to make it easier and more accessible for newcomers to fighting games. Long-time fans can use the Arcade Style and have the same control scheme as always.

Tekken 8 is set to be released on January 26, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. You can check out our comparator for the cheapest CD Key deals on Tekken 8 and discover everything that the new entry in one of the most classic fighting franchises has to offer.