Though Tekken Tag Tournament 2 has been available in arcades since earlier this year in the States (and back into September in Japan), the revamped PS3 version brings numerous new characters and a new training mode that re-imagines the series’ previously established mini-games.
While the main fighting mechanics of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will feel familiar to anyone acquainted with the series’ staccato combat style, the console version introduces a few new ways to lock horns with worthy competitors. You can now fight opponents in several configurations — two against two, two against one, and one against one — and each of these modes is available at any time. In matches that pit one character against two, the disadvantaged player receives a more generous life bar but obviously cannot switch fighters when the going gets rough. Conversely, the player with two fighters will have to pay close attention; in true Tekken tag form, you’ll lose the round if either character is KO’d.
During the Namco Bandai Gamer’s Day, the developers also clarified their position on offering DLC characters, with series director Katsuhiro Harada making it clear that the game won’t charge players to unlock new characters. This is good news for Tekken fans looking to experience any of the 50+ characters included on the game’s Blu-ray Disc.
Fight Lab is another standout addition to the PS3 version. Its goal is worthy: to train players in Tekken’s deep fighting mechanics without serving up a dry tutorial experience. In a roundtable discussion with Katsuhiro Harada, the veteran developer explained that the mode will embrace some of the quirky (but addictive!) minigames of past Tekken titles while simultaneously training the player so they can come back into the main game with new skills at their disposal.
In Fight Lab, players build up their “Combot,” a customizable cyborg fighter which, as time spent in Fight Lab goes on, can be customized both aesthetically and through specialized combat sets. Players can choose from a variety of moves used by fighters in the main roster as they progress, as well as a number of unlockable costumes and visual flairs to their Combot.
While Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will be instantly familiar to fans of the series, the next entry brings many new innovations to the tried and true formula that fight fans would be remiss to pass by. Keep an eye out for Tekken Tag Tournament 2 this September, and get your best combos ready for massive brawling.
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