Recently, we spoke with In Joon Hwang, Brand Manager for Tekken 6, on all the latest developments in BandaiNamco’s top selling fighter game. In the interview below, Hwang shared his perspective on the Tekken franchise, updates to the game and his feelings towards the Street Fighter franchise.
In Joon Hwang discusses the latest change and updates to Tekken franchise.
Tekken 6 takes a giant leap ahead of Tekken 5, introducing a new Action-Adventure (Scenario) mode. Instead of simply playing through the traditional Arena setup, there is a larger level-based adventure made that takes gameplay into “the streets” of Tekken. The game introduces 6 new playable characters: Alisa Bosconovitch, Bob, Lars Alexandersson, Leo, Miguel Caballero Rojo and Zafina. The Scenario mode begins with Lars and a cyborg named Alisa (she can remove her head and use it as a weapon or use her chainsaw arms). From there, gamers will be able to play through the mythos of Tekken.
Traditional gameplay has had an amazing HD boost on both Xbox 360 and PS3. Graphics move at 60 frames per second in HD, allowing for some serious fight scenes. Most characters have over 100 moves, with some characters’ move count going as high as 150. Unlike, traditional behemoth characters, like Jack or Street Fighter’s Zangief, Tekken 6 introduces a new character, named Bob, whose moves are just as fluid and fast as those of Kazuya Mishima.
Since the arcade scene is still strong in Japan, NamcoBandai introduced Arcade iterations of the Tekken 6 Game in the last couple of years. The original version came out a couple of years ago in Japan and the group-compiled data based on hardcore fan feedback. Hwang said, “For about a year we were able to gather up very hardcore consumer feedback about… ‘Oh this character needs to be refined’… ‘That character is too overpowered.’” He added “All the consumer feedback has been gathered by the development team and they implemented all the rebalancing features, movement adjustments and combo changes in the later versions of arcade game called Blood-Line Rebellion” released in December 2008.
As far as downloadable content, Hwang shared, “If there is downloadable content, it will be available for free.” At present, he didn’t have any specific examples of DLC that would be available, but said if there were any they would be revealed soon. What gamers will have is a ghost mode, where they can download topped ranked characters characteristics to practice.
Tekken 6 is shaping up to be the best release in the history of the franchise. The game features smooth fighting without flicker or texture pop, crisp HD graphics and an Adventure mode that adds a new dimension to the fighting genre.
Tekken 6 comes to the Xbox 360 and PS3 Oct. 27.
Tekken is dead. They can keep it in Japan. SF IV is where its at
Tekken is one of the best fighters out. The requires some serious technique. It’s one of those games that proves button mashing your way through a fighting game will only get you so far, especially against someone who knows what they’re doing. You can’t get lucky. you have to actually know how to play.
Street Fighter will always be great, but people still get lucky in that game.
Nina is the best character. I’d like to give her a button mash or two right now