Tekken 7, powered by Unreal Engine 4, promises a visually stunning and action-packed fighting experience on the PlayStation 4. Having spent considerable time battling it out across numerous matches, both online and offline, I’m ready to share my detailed thoughts on this latest installment in the iconic Tekken franchise. Does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out.

Tekken 7 boasts a massive roster of characters, both returning favorites and exciting newcomers. The inclusion of Akuma from Street Fighter adds a unique and thrilling dimension to the gameplay, injecting a familiar yet fresh fighting style into the mix. The developers have clearly focused on enhancing the already robust fighting mechanics, adding new moves and battle mechanics that keep the combat feeling dynamic and engaging. The cinematic presentation is truly impressive, enhancing the intensity of every clash and creating moments of genuine spectacle.

Beyond the core 1v1 battles, there are various game modes to keep players engaged for hours. The online functionality, while not perfect, provides a consistently playable experience against opponents worldwide. The training mode is comprehensive and essential for honing your skills to master each fighter’s unique abilities. The depth of this game is evident from the beginning. The simple to learn yet hard to master formula of Tekken is on full display.

Graphically, Tekken 7 is a knockout. The Unreal Engine 4 implementation is evident in the incredibly detailed character models and the fluid animations. The environments are rich and visually appealing, enhancing the overall immersion. The game runs smoothly for the most part, maintaining a consistent frame rate even during the most intense battles. However, there were a few minor instances of frame drops during particularly chaotic online matches, though this was infrequent.

The online experience is generally stable, with a reasonable amount of lag, though connecting to opponents across different regions may occasionally affect the smooth gameplay. The netcode shows its age at times, leaving some room for improvement. The loading times are reasonably short, minimizing the downtime between matches. Overall, performance is impressive, providing a satisfying gameplay experience for PS4 owners, though improvements to the online infrastructure would be welcomed.

Pros:

• Stunning visuals powered by Unreal Engine 4
• Large and diverse roster of characters
• Deep and engaging gameplay mechanics
• Immersive cinematic presentation
• Multiple game modes to enhance replayability

Cons:

• Occasional frame rate drops during intense online matches
• Netcode could be optimized further for smoother online gameplay

Tekken 7 delivers a compelling fighting game experience that excels in many areas. The outstanding visuals, impressive roster, and engaging gameplay mechanics make it a must-have for fighting game fans. While there are a few minor drawbacks regarding online performance, these don’t detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. The inclusion of Akuma is a welcome bonus, adding a familiar yet thrilling layer to the gameplay. I highly recommend Tekken 7 to any PlayStation 4 owner seeking a graphically impressive and highly competitive fighting game.