The Tekken 8 community has expressed significant dissatisfaction following the Season 2 update, which introduced several controversial changes. Players and pro competitors alike have voiced concerns over modifications that they believe deviate from the traditional Tekken experience.
According to patch notes, the update universally increased character damage output and offensive capabilities, sparking criticism that the essence of Tekken has been lost. Prominent Tekken player JoKa criticized the changes, stating that slight buffs to characters and enhancements to stance-based transitions prioritize aggressive play over strategic depth. He pointed out that newly introduced moves lack counterplay, while homogenization has stripped characters of their distinct identities. The removal of defensive options and an increase in 50/50 situations were particularly disheartening for JoKa, who feels this detracts from the core mechanics of Tekken.
These frustrations have translated into substantial backlash on Steam, where Tekken 8 has received over 1,100 negative reviews in just two days. The game’s recent review score reflects an 'overwhelmingly negative' rating. Comments from disgruntled players include critiques such as, “A genuinely good game ruined by unbalanced and inconsistent updates,” and, “Defensive mechanics have been neglected while offensive power dominates gameplay.”
In response, some players have turned to Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 as an alternative, while others have labeled Season 2 the "worst patch in Tekken history." Several professional players are even considering leaving the game altogether. Community sentiment is now focused on seeking clarification or action from the development team, with some urging for the patch to be rolled back entirely and others requesting immediate adjustments through a follow-up patch.
This situation highlights the community's desire for balanced gameplay and authentic representation of Tekken’s foundational elements.
