| Platform Reviewed | Sony Playstation |
| Genre | 3D Fighting Game |
| Number of Players | 1-2 |
| Multiplayer Value | Minimum |
| Length | Short |
| Difficulty | Variable |
| Skills Required | Hand-Eye Coordination |
| Interface Devices | Playstation Joypad |
| Interface Design | Good |
| Programming | Excellent |
| Game Design and Playability | Good to Excellent |
| Type Of Fun | Beat-Em-Up |
| Replay Value | High |
| Overall Value | High |
| Quality | High |
| The Best | Well generated, smooth polygon fighters, dramatic viewpoints and replays, many hidden characters, good music. |
| The Worst | Animated endings could be better in some cases, moves can be difficult to execute at times. |
| How much would I be willing to pay for this | 55 Bucks |
Description:
Tekken is a polygon-based one on one fighting game of the Street Fighter / Mortal Kombat mold. Play consists of pummeling an opponent into senselessness or death through clever moves and actions.
Story:
There's this martial arts tournament, see, and there's these folks who each have a reason to win it, and so they basically start beating the crap out of each other. You know the drill.
Review:
OK. We have Street Fighter 1, 2, 3, Turbo, and Frosted, we have Mortal Kombat 1, 2, 3, and with a cherry on top, we have Virtua Fighter 1, 2, Remix and Deep Fried, and dozens of others. There are as many fighting games as there are Doom clones, and some are better and some are worse, but most are just the same. As may be.
Tekken is yet another 3D polygon based fighter, but it stands out in several ways. One, the moves and attacks are somewhat more realistic (no magical fireballs here, just flashes of Chi to denote powerful blows), and the camera work is better than most 3D fighters, which ups the excitement level. The graphics are top notch, with smooth well defined characters, each of which possess two distinct costumes to choose from, and there are 18 fighters to be chosen from in the game. The first 8 fighters are gratis, but the remaining warriors must be earned via winning with each standard character, a brilliant touch. Tekken has a very diverse cast including several women, an extraterrestrial Ninja, a bear, and even a Terminator style robot who looks like a twisted caricature of Arnold. Instant replays are dramatic, and some of the moves are very satisfying.
On the down side, one could hope for better animated endings in some cases, and I personally enjoy the pyrotechnic mayhem of the more fantasy oriented martial arts games (can you say Ha-Do-Ken?). Also, for those that are inclined toward splattering gore, Tekken is devoid of blood. No twisted, sick, delightfully psychotic scenes of unimaginable carnage here; just squeaky clean getting-the-snot-beat-out, bone-breaking injury. This last could be good or bad, or even GoodBad, depending.
Overall, Tekken is at the forefront of the 3D fighter pack, and I can safely recommend the game as being first rate; it is fun, and extremely well crafted. Some of the moves seem rather difficult, but then, once mastered, 10 hit combos are actually possible. Not at all easy mind you, but possible. Personally, I like Tekken, and play it fairly regularly. I believe most fighting fans will as well. Recommended.
Reviewed by Jennifer Diane Reitz, Dec. 26 1995
Jennifer Diane Reitz is a Game Designer and Computer Artist, and one of the founders of Happy Puppy. She is the creator of numerous games and software products, including Boppin' , Shark Chums, Elsewhere, and many others. She has worked for such companies as Activision, Sculptured Software, Epyx, SRI, and Electronic Arts, and founded Accursed Toys. She has been active in the computer gaming industry since it's earliest days. She considers games to be works of artistic merit and achievement, and views computer entertainment as the most important media of our era.