Interestingly, over half the roster are initially inaccessible, only becoming available for selection once the player completes arcade mode using a specific character so, Nina unlocks Anna, King unlocks Armour King, etc. His array of suplexes and other equally recognizable wrestling maneuvers separate him from the pack in terms of fighting style, while his post-arcade-victory cut-scene shows that, under his intimidating exterior, he’s a sentimental, caring man. In fact, it was the distinctive personalities Namco worked so hard to cultivate as much as any superficial differences that helped them stand out as an ensemble.
#Tekken 2 game skin
Meanwhile, in stark contrast to Street Fighter V, which suffered from a distinct lack of content upon launch, Namco didn’t skimp on Tekken 2’s character roster either.įrom thinly veiled simulacrums of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan to a grizzly bear turned bodyguard, from a boxing Kangaroo/Raptor to a cybernetically enhanced samurai, Tekken 2 features one of the most eclectic collections of fighters in the history of the genre.Īnd this diversity wasn’t just skin deep. After all, nothing beats sitting on the living room sofa with a friend or sibling and knocking seven digital bells out of one another.
#Tekken 2 game series
Featuring 10 increasingly tricky, if rarely frustrating, stages and a character-specific sub-boss on level 8, the highlight of each campaign was the gloriously absurd ending cinematic that, though brief (only 30 seconds or so on average), encapsulated the bombastic storytelling and inimitable sense of humor the series is known for.Įnjoyable as arcade mode was, however, it was difficult to look past the one-on-one multiplayer vs mode. Once a player had familiarized themselves with the fundamentals of combat in the game’s innovative practice mode, there were, essentially two exciting options available.įirst and foremost, there was Tekken 2’s surprisingly deep arcade mode known as ‘The King of Iron Fist Tournament. Importantly, there were a number of ways to enjoy these impressive mechanics. Yet, despite these wildly different styles, the animations were of such high quality that, regardless of size, each character was able to transition between combinations with a fluency that’s pleasing to watch even now. For example, mechanical behemoth Jack made up for his lack of speed with raw, unadulterated power, while physically smaller fighters such as Jun Kazama and Lei Wulong’s superior agility enabled them to compete with their more massive foes. With the possible exception of Marshall Law and the aforementioned Devil/Angel, there was very little to split the combatants in terms of difficulty, either to use or overcome. No, there was a decent supply of 10-hit combos too.Īnd this level of balance was exemplified by the characters themselves. That’s not to say it lacked the kind of complicated, finger-breaking chains only the most dedicated and dextrous individuals could hope to master. However, despite the sheer number of combinations available, Namco made sure to make the game accessible to amateurs by including plenty of basic sequences of 2 or 3 button presses in every move set. Instead, players had to rely on each fighter’s dazzling array of combos and their own wits to achieve victory. Rarely did contests devolve into a button-bashing slugfest or long-range war of attrition spamming special moves such as Ryu’s Hadouken or Sub-Zero’s freeze blast simply wasn’t an option. With an absence of ranged attacks (apart from Devil/Angel eye laser techniques), the introduction of counter-throws and a set of expansive arenas in which to do battle, Tekken 2’s combat was arguably more strategic than most fighting games of the period. So, as part of the anniversary, we decided to take this opportunity to commemorate this absolute classic of the fighting game genre.Įxpanding on the 1995 original whilst retaining the unique charm that has come to characterize the franchise in subsequent years, Tekken 2’s most distinguishing feature had to be its robust combat mechanics and liquid-smooth gameplay. Praised for its brilliant mechanics, diverse roster of characters, and sheer originality, it quickly became a standard-bearer for Sony’s nascent console, more than holding its own against the likes of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Soulcalibur. The unassuming grey box known as the PlayStation was a little over a year old (in North America and Europe, at least) when Tekken 2 was released to rave reviews at the back end of 1996. Tekken 2: An Absolute classic of the Genre