I underestimated Tekken 7.
When I reviewed Tekken 7 last year, I concluded it was institutional progress and austere form cloaked in spectacle and absent of risk. Its periphery can’t keep pace with 2017 and its core feels like it’s running the same race Tekken already won almost a decade ago. This doesn’t stop Tekken 7 from being the best 3D fighter on current platforms, but it’s easy to stand atop a podium unchallenged by legitimate competitors.
I still believe all of this to be true! Tekken 7’s content and performance, to me, felt inferior to the response I received from Tekken Tag Tournament 2 in 2012. As a reboot for the series—Tekkens come in pairs of three—of course Tekken 7 was going to reset the roster and scale its content to a 2018-friendly paradigm. The addition of Supers and that sweet slow-motion finish effect, both choices that I dismissed as gimmicks, were actually terms of endearment to new and old players. They have won people over, clearly demonstrated in Tekken 7’s enduring popularity and topped off by its mesmerizing performance at Evo 2018.
Guest characters were a large part of Tekken 7’s popularity. Akuma’s inclusion, hinting at the vestigial remnant of Tekken X Street Fighter, was a boon to the vanilla roster. Adding Fatal Fury’s Geese Howard and Final Fantasy VX’s Noctis Lucis Caelum were unpredictable, out-of-control moves that opened the door for literally anything.
This brings us to Season 2 of Tekken 7’s downloadable content. While a significant number of patch notes and balance changes are included, the roster additions are more attractive and exciting. Announced and currently available are Anna Williams and Lei Wulong. Anna has served as my other main (behind Yoshimitsu) since Tekken 2. She’s a delight and I’m glad to have her back. Lei remains a technical character for people with patience and direction, neither of which I’ve ever been able to incorporate in my weak-ass Tekken game. Best of luck to everyone who prefers Lei.
Both of these characters were obvious additions and, all things considered, drastic cuts from Tekken 7’s launch roster. Better speculation revolves around the Tekken 7’s potential for surprise. Negan, who I am told is from a popular television show and/or graphic novel called The Walking Dead, has been announced to fill Season 2’s final slot. Two more unknown characters remain in the interim. In the interest of being wrong in the future, here are my personal odds at predicting the final two roster spots.
MIA Tekken characters
5-1: Julia or Michelle Chang
15-1: Bruce
15-1: Roger / Alex
20-1: Kunimtisu
20-1: Zafina
50-1: Dr. Bosconovitch
Guest Characters / Wish Fulfillment
10-1: Kazuma Kiryu (Yakuza)
15-1: Akira (Virtua Fighter)
20-1: Goku (Dragon Ball)
20-1: Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)
50-1: Sub-Zero (The Running Man)
50-1: Gene (God Hand)
75:1 – Ken Mishima (Ehrgeiz)
75:1 – Robocop
75:1 – Dominic Toretto (Fast & Furious)
80:1 – John Cena
90:1 – John Goodman
100-1: Hornet (Daytona USA)
100-1: Gon (Tekken 3 / Manga)
200-1: Bill Clinton
250-1: Air Dog (NBA Jam)
