Tekken 6 (PS3) E3 2009 impressions

Sid blasts his way through Tekken 6, and tries out two levels from the new co-op, Streets of Rage-esque Scenario mode. Get ready for the next battle!

READ: Talkin' Tekken 6: Namco Bandai explains the decision to go Xbox 360

Arcade preview: Tekken 6

Tekken 6 announced for Xbox 360, PS3

Tekken 6 expansion Bloodline Rebellion unveiled, detailed in Tokyo

Tekken 6 to utilize PS3's Cell chip


Tekken 6 (PS3) E3 2009 impressions

Sid's E3 Treasure Trove

GamePro senior editor Sid Shuman?s hands-on impressions from E3 2009's show floor.


I should begin by mentioning my affinity for the Tekken series. It's certainly seen its knocks (the frustrating Tekken 4, the god-awful Death by Degrees starring Nina Williams), but in my mind, the Tekken series has come closest to mastering 3D one-on-one fighting. Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, in particular, is one of the finest games ever produced by Namco Bandai Games. Tekken 6 was released in Japanese arcades over a year ago, and it had problems. Despite being breathtakingly gorgeous, the gameplay was much too juggle-heavy: an experienced player could knock his opponent into the air, off the wall, and bounce them into the ground to create monster juggle combos while the victim watched on helplessly. Too much hacky sack, not enough back-and-forth striking.

Console Resurrection

Based on my experiences playing the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Tekken 6 (based on the arcade expansion Bloodline Rebellion), Namco Bandai has eradicated these frustrating juggle-fests and created a sleeker, deadlier, more devastating game that plays like Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection on steroids and Red Bull. If you played Tekken 5: DR, you'll be delighted by the new combo avenues in Tekken 6. You can still "bound" a foe into the ground to follow up with a quick low juggle chain, but the airborne body recovers much faster now and gives the victim a fighting chance.

Tekken 6 (PS3) E3 2009 impressions
Tekken 6 (PS3) E3 2009 impressions

What else do you need to know? There are 40+ characters now, which must represent some kind of record for the 3D fighting genre. I mostly played with my signature character, the always-destructive Sergei Dragunov, but I tinkered around with Bloodline Rebellion inductee Lars Alexenderson, pro wrestlers King and Armor King, and bar brawler Paul Pheonix. Based on my experience with Tekken 5 DR, I was able to hop right in and inflict massive damage. The game is intense and crushing, with big strikes seeming to hit with the force of a dump truck. The visuals are also a delight, exceeding those of Soul Calibur IV with their creativity and interactive crowds. The native resolution is 720p, the frame rate is locked at a liquid 60 frames per second, and the new motion blur makes the action feel even smoother and more realistic.

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neogigames

Two days up and not a single comment on this game? Everyone must be talking about Project Natal and how you'll never be able to play games like this with it.

lovetelephone

Great write-up Sid.
The Labior is excited more so for the streets-of-rage-esque Tekken, looks seriously brutal.

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