Poppin’ wheelies AND heads

Bandai Namco has launched a brand new character trailer for its visually beautiful fighter Tekken 8, which stays in growth for PC and Gen 9 consoles — This latest preview focuses on one of many long-running franchise’s veteran fighters, Paul Phoenix, although maybe not as we have now seen him earlier than.

Whereas clearly the identical hot-tempered, road-ripping biker of earlier releases, Tekken 8’s Paul appears to be leaning way more into his “nomadic drifter” standing, buying and selling in his tattered gi for a barely-held-together set of biker leathers, an unkempt, oily beard, and what seems to be a bit extra bulk on his towering body. Maybe most notably of all, his well-known stovepipe flattop has develop into little greater than a floppy fringe, limply dangling over our boy’s face. He appears to be like a fucking mess, frankly, however I’m right here for it.

By no means choose a ebook by its cowl, nevertheless, because the trailer nonetheless sees Mr. Phoenix laying down his wall-breaking, rib-crushing methods — nonetheless a grasp of extremely highly effective, single-strike punches and physique checks. Phoenix additionally appears maybe happier and extra assured than he has in recent times, the place the franchise has handled him as one thing of a joke character. Effectively, it appears to be like like maybe the comedy is over, and Paul has a punchline for you situated proper on the finish of his balled-up fist.

Tekken 8 is presently in growth for PS5, PC, and Xbox Sequence X. It’s tentatively anticipated to launch in 2023. You’ll want to take a look at the earlier trailers for Jin Kazama, Kazuya Mishima, and Nina Williams.