Rounding off new details revealed about Tekken 8, from the return of Nina Williams and removal of Rage Drive to the new Special Control Style, executive director Katsuhiro Harada and game director Kohei Ikeda talked about the new Heat System. The Heat System sees the Attacker entering a “state of enhancement” for a period which can “create a starting point for tactics and offensive.”
The Heat State enables Heat actions, deals damage as recoverable health even if the opponent is guarding, and enhances characteristics. Heat Burst allows for entering Heat State by pressing R1. The character is covered in blue flames while the Heat Timer ticks down. It can be activated at any time and ends in 10 seconds, though you only get Heat State once per round.
However, the timer pauses when landing hits or when an opponent is down. Heat Engager is an attack which automatically places the attacker in the Heat State, and they’ll run towards the opponent. Each character has an average of five moves which classify as Heat Engagers, and are the main ones for beginners to learn.
As Harada notes, “King has so many moves that he could the Guinness record in the world of fighting games.” However, with Heat Engager, the range of moves to learn is narrowed down, making it easier for beginners, especially when trying different characters. The Heat System also be used with aerial combos (which wasn’t possible in Tekken 7), and you can cancel the attack action after using Heat Burst.
Next to the Heat Timer are two small “8” symbols – these are Heat Energy used for special Heat Actions. Heat Smash is a powerful attack that sends an opponent flying. However, Heat Dash cancels Heat Engager and dashes towards an enemy, which can connect to a combo (including aerial combos).
Heat Burst grants one Heat Energy to perform either Heat Smash or Dash. Heat Engager provides two Heat Energy, but you need to hit the opponent. With enough energy, both Heat Actions can be used – Heat Dash to get close and Heat Smash for a follow-up.
Tekken 8 is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Bandai Namco suggested it could release between April 1st, 2023 and March 31st, 2024. Harada noted that development would take more time, so we’ll see if it arrives this year. Stay tuned in the meantime.