Tekken 6
- July 17, 2007 16:44 PM PST
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Much will be expected of the long-awaited release of Tekken 6 this year. Will this game be able to simultaneously revive both American arcades and the chances of the PS3's success?
By Eugene Huang
There are a number of old adages that apply to a fighting game series as old and experienced as Tekken. The first that comes to mind is "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." However, the second is "There is such a thing as too much of a good thing."
This is the fine line on which Namco Bandai must tread, for if they stray too far from the core principles that have made Tekken a great series, there's a strong possibility that the hardcore fan contingent will feel alienated. Meanwhile, if they develop a game far too similar to the previous installment, what reason is there to buy it in the first place?
But if history is any indication, the developers at Namco Bandai are obviously doing something right. Whereas other contemporary series, such as Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Killer Instinct have pretty much fallen by the wayside, Tekken continues to be one of the few series left that are thriving in the fighting game crucible. And with Tekken 6, the newest addition to the series, set to make a splash in both arcades and PS3s, Tekken fans the world over are hoping for the very best.
Japanese arcades will be buzzing for a long time once these gorgeous machines hit the streets.
Kazama rising
Story-wise, the plot unfolds like this: the three-way power struggle between Heihachi, Kazuya, and Jin finally reveals a clear-cut winner -- at least for the moment. After slaying the aging, yet still incredibly powerful Jinpachi Mishima, Jin Kazama is declared the winner of The King of Iron Fist Tournament 5, and is subsequently given the reins of the multinational Mishima financial empire. Meanwhile, Heihachi comes to a rude awakening when he recovers from unconsciousness after an attack from the Jack Force only to discover that he is no longer in solitary control of the Zaibatsu. Elsewhere, very few people take notice of Kazuya as he slinks into the confines of the G Corporation, awaiting his moment to strike from the shadows.
As the saying goes, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Within moments after receiving all of the wealth and power of the Mishima family, Jin's first order of business is securing the world's energy resources through the flexing of his company's military power, which causes unchecked destruction across the planet and even in outer space. No longer able to tolerate the company's new militaristic ways, the people of the world look to the rival G Corporation as a savior from Jin's despotic rule. Little do they know that Kazuya has forcibly taken control of G in his own fanatical bid for power, and will do absolutely anything to wrest control of the Mishima empire from his son.
Knowing that the whole of the entire world has placed a price on his head, Jin invites all of his enemies to step into the arena and battle him for worldwide supremacy. Thus, The King of Iron Fist Tournament 6 begins.
