“Tekken 7,” the latest installment in Bandai Namco Entertainment’s long-running fighting game series, has captivated players with its deep combat mechanics, diverse roster of characters, and rich storyline. One of the key elements that make “Tekken 7” stand out is its variety of game modes. These modes offer a wide range of experiences, catering to both single-player enthusiasts and competitive multiplayer fans. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into each of the main game modes in “Tekken 7,” examining their features, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Table of Contents
1. Story Mode
Overview
“Tekken 7’s” Story Mode, titled “The Mishima Saga,” is a cinematic experience that delves into the complex and dramatic history of the Mishima family. This mode is designed to provide players with a narrative-driven journey, highlighting the motivations and conflicts of key characters in the series.
Key Features
- Cinematic Presentation: The Story Mode is presented with high-quality cinematics and voice acting, creating an immersive experience.
- Character Perspectives: Players get to control various characters throughout the story, offering different perspectives on the events.
- Boss Battles: Epic boss battles against powerful adversaries add to the excitement and challenge of the mode.
- Intermissions: Between main story chapters, players can engage in “Character Episodes,” which provide additional background on individual fighters.
Strengths
- Engaging Narrative: The storyline is compelling and ties together many of the loose ends from previous “Tekken” games, making it a must-play for long-time fans.
- High Production Values: The cinematics and voice acting are of high quality, enhancing the storytelling experience.
- Variety in Gameplay: Controlling different characters and facing unique challenges keeps the gameplay fresh and interesting.
Areas for Improvement
- Length: Some players may find the Story Mode relatively short, completing it in a few hours.
- Difficulty Spikes: Certain boss battles can be significantly more challenging than the rest of the game, potentially frustrating some players.
Conclusion
Overall, the Story Mode in “Tekken 7” is a highlight of the game, offering an engaging and well-produced narrative experience. It successfully balances storytelling with varied gameplay, making it a rewarding mode for both new and veteran players.
2. Arcade Mode
Overview
Arcade Mode is a staple of the “Tekken” series, providing a traditional fighting game experience where players battle through a series of opponents to reach a final boss.
Key Features
- Classic Arcade Experience: Players face a set number of opponents, culminating in a boss fight.
- Character Endings: Completing Arcade Mode with different characters unlocks unique ending cinematics for each fighter.
- Difficulty Levels: Players can select their preferred difficulty level, tailoring the challenge to their skill level.
Strengths
- Nostalgic Appeal: For long-time fans of the series, Arcade Mode offers a familiar and nostalgic experience.
- Character Endings: The unique endings provide an incentive to replay the mode with different characters.
- Quick and Accessible: Arcade Mode is straightforward and easy to jump into, making it ideal for short play sessions.
Areas for Improvement
- Lack of Depth: Compared to other modes, Arcade Mode may feel relatively shallow and repetitive over time.
- Limited Rewards: Aside from character endings, there are few rewards for completing Arcade Mode multiple times.
Conclusion
Arcade Mode in “Tekken 7” serves as a tribute to the series’ roots, offering a simple yet enjoyable experience for players looking for a quick and classic fighting game challenge. While it may lack the depth of other modes, it remains a valuable part of the game’s overall offering.
3. Treasure Battle
Overview
Treasure Battle is a unique mode in “Tekken 7” that combines traditional fighting gameplay with a reward system, allowing players to earn in-game currency and customization items.
Key Features
- Endless Battles: Players continuously fight opponents, with increasing difficulty levels.
- Treasure Boxes: Winning battles earns treasure boxes, which contain customization items, currency, and other rewards.
- Special Battles: Occasionally, players encounter special battles with unique conditions or stronger opponents, offering greater rewards.
Strengths
- Customization Rewards: Treasure Battle is an excellent way to earn items for customizing characters, adding a layer of personalization to the game.
- Replayability: The endless nature of Treasure Battle, combined with the variety of rewards, encourages repeated play.
- Variety in Battles: Special battles and increasing difficulty levels keep the gameplay engaging and challenging.
Areas for Improvement
- Repetitiveness: The mode can become repetitive over time, as players fight similar opponents in succession.
- Reward Variability: The randomness of rewards may frustrate players seeking specific items.
Conclusion
Treasure Battle is a fun and rewarding mode in “Tekken 7” that adds a layer of customization and replayability to the game. While it may become repetitive for some players, the variety of rewards and special battles help maintain its appeal.
4. Online Modes
Overview
“Tekken 7” offers a robust suite of online modes, allowing players to compete against others from around the world. These modes include Ranked Match, Player Match, and Tournament Mode.
Key Features
- Ranked Match: Players compete in ranked matches to improve their online ranking and earn points.
- Player Match: Casual matches against other players without the pressure of ranking points.
- Tournament Mode: Players can participate in online tournaments, competing for prizes and glory.
- Custom Lobbies: Create and join custom lobbies to play with friends or specific groups.
Strengths
- Competitive Environment: Ranked matches provide a competitive and challenging environment for serious players.
- Social Interaction: Player matches and custom lobbies offer opportunities for social interaction and casual play.
- Regular Tournaments: Tournament mode adds excitement and variety, giving players a chance to showcase their skills in a competitive setting.
Areas for Improvement
- Connection Issues: Online play can be affected by connection quality, leading to lag and other issues that impact gameplay.
- Matchmaking Balance: The matchmaking system occasionally pairs players with significantly different skill levels, leading to unbalanced matches.
Conclusion
The online modes in “Tekken 7” offer a comprehensive and engaging multiplayer experience. While connection issues and matchmaking balance can be areas of concern, the overall variety and competitive nature of these modes make them a core component of the game.
5. Practice Mode
Overview
Practice Mode in “Tekken 7” is an essential tool for players looking to hone their skills, learn new characters, and refine their techniques.
Key Features
- Move List: Access a complete list of moves for each character, with detailed information on inputs and properties.
- Frame Data: View frame data for each move, helping players understand the timing and advantages of different attacks.
- Recording and Playback: Record sequences of moves and play them back to practice against specific scenarios.
- Customizable Settings: Adjust various settings, such as opponent behavior, to create specific training conditions.
Strengths
- Comprehensive Training Tools: The detailed move list and frame data provide invaluable information for improving gameplay.
- Customizable Practice: Players can tailor their practice sessions to focus on specific areas of improvement.
- Skill Development: Practice Mode is ideal for learning new characters and mastering advanced techniques.
Areas for Improvement
- User Interface: The interface can be overwhelming for new players, with a steep learning curve to fully utilize all features.
- Lack of Guided Tutorials: While the mode offers extensive tools, it lacks guided tutorials to help new players understand and use them effectively.
Conclusion
Practice Mode in “Tekken 7” is a powerful and essential feature for players looking to improve their skills. While the interface and lack of guided tutorials may be daunting for newcomers, the mode offers comprehensive tools that cater to both casual and competitive players.
6. VR Mode
Overview
“Tekken 7” includes a VR Mode, which allows players to experience the game in virtual reality. This mode offers a unique perspective on the game’s characters and environments.
Key Features
- Character Viewing: View and interact with characters in a virtual space, examining their details and animations up close.
- VR Battles: Engage in battles from a VR perspective, providing a novel way to experience the game’s combat.
Strengths
- Immersive Experience: VR Mode offers a new level of immersion, allowing players to experience “Tekken 7” in a unique and engaging way.
- Character Detail: The ability to view characters up close highlights the detailed design and animations.
Areas for Improvement
- Limited Content: VR Mode is relatively limited in scope, with fewer features and content compared to other game modes.
- Accessibility: Requires VR hardware, which may not be available to all players.
Conclusion
While VR Mode in “Tekken 7” is a fascinating addition that offers a unique and immersive experience, its limited content and accessibility constraints make it more of a novelty than a core component of the game.
7. Customization Mode
Overview
Customization Mode in “Tekken 7” allows players to personalize their characters with a wide range of costumes, accessories, and visual effects.
Key Features
- Costumes and Accessories: Customize characters with various outfits, accessories, and colors.
- Effects and Auras: Add visual effects and auras to characters, enhancing their appearance in battle.
- Treasure Battle Rewards: Earn customization items through Treasure Battle, providing a steady stream of new options.
Strengths
- Personalization: Offers extensive options for personalizing characters, allowing players to express their creativity and individuality.
- Replay Value: The constant influx of new items from Treasure Battle and other modes adds a layer of replay value, encouraging players to keep playing to unlock more customization options.
- Visual Appeal: The wide range of customization options enhances the visual appeal of the game, making each character look unique in online and offline matches.
Areas for Improvement
- Interface Complexity: The customization interface can be complex and overwhelming for new players, making it challenging to navigate and utilize effectively.
- Item Rarity: Some customization items are rare and can be difficult to obtain, potentially frustrating players who are looking for specific items.
- Limited Practical Impact: While customization is visually appealing, it has no impact on gameplay, which might be seen as a missed opportunity for more meaningful integration.
Conclusion
Customization Mode in “Tekken 7” provides a robust platform for players to express their creativity and personalize their favorite characters. Despite the complex interface and the rarity of some items, the mode adds significant replay value and enhances the overall visual experience of the game.
8. Versus Mode
Overview
Versus Mode is a traditional fighting game mode where two players can face off against each other in local multiplayer matches. This mode is perfect for friendly competition and practice with friends.
Key Features
- Local Multiplayer: Allows two players to compete against each other on the same console.
- Character Selection: Players can choose from the full roster of characters and customize their settings before each match.
- Match Settings: Customize match settings, including round count, time limit, and stage selection.
Strengths
- Immediate Fun: Versus Mode provides instant access to competitive matches, making it ideal for casual play and quick sessions.
- Training Ground: A great mode for practicing new characters and strategies against a live opponent.
- Social Interaction: Encourages social interaction and friendly competition among friends and family.
Areas for Improvement
- Limited to Local Play: Versus Mode is limited to local multiplayer, which may not be feasible for players who primarily play online.
- Lack of Progression: Unlike online modes, Versus Mode does not contribute to any ranking or progression system, which might lessen its appeal for competitive players.
Conclusion
Versus Mode in “Tekken 7” is a classic and essential part of the game, providing a straightforward and enjoyable way for players to compete against each other locally. While it lacks online functionality and progression, it remains a staple for friendly competition and practice.
9. Ghost Battle Mode
Overview
Ghost Battle Mode allows players to fight against AI-controlled opponents that mimic the behavior and tactics of real players. This mode provides a challenging single-player experience that simulates online competition.
Key Features
- AI Opponents: Fight against AI opponents that learn and adapt based on player behavior.
- Difficulty Levels: Adjustable difficulty settings to match player skill levels.
- Customization and Rewards: Earn customization items and in-game currency by winning battles.
Strengths
- Realistic AI: The AI in Ghost Battle Mode offers a challenging and realistic simulation of human opponents, making it great for practice.
- Adjustable Difficulty: The ability to adjust difficulty levels ensures that the mode is accessible to players of all skill levels.
- Reward System: The mode offers rewards that contribute to character customization, adding an incentive to keep playing.
Areas for Improvement
- Repetitiveness: Similar to other modes, Ghost Battle can become repetitive over time as players fight against AI with predictable patterns.
- Limited Interaction: Lacks the social and interactive elements of playing against real human opponents.
Conclusion
Ghost Battle Mode in “Tekken 7” is a valuable addition for players looking to practice against challenging AI opponents. While it may become repetitive, the mode’s realistic AI and reward system provide a compelling single-player experience.
10. Time Attack Mode
Overview
Time Attack Mode challenges players to complete a series of battles as quickly as possible. This mode tests both skill and speed, providing a competitive and fast-paced experience.
Key Features
- Timed Battles: Players must defeat a series of opponents in the shortest time possible.
- Leaderboard: Compete for the best times on a global leaderboard.
- Character Selection: Choose any character from the roster and customize their settings for the challenge.
Strengths
- Competitive Edge: The mode’s focus on speed and efficiency adds a competitive element that encourages players to improve their skills.
- Leaderboard Integration: The global leaderboard provides a platform for players to showcase their abilities and compete against others worldwide.
- Replayability: The challenge of achieving faster times incentivizes repeated play and continuous improvement.
Areas for Improvement
- Pressure and Stress: The time-based nature of the mode can create pressure and stress, which may not appeal to all players.
- Limited Rewards: Beyond leaderboard placement, there are few tangible rewards for achieving fast times, potentially reducing long-term engagement.
Conclusion
Time Attack Mode in “Tekken 7” offers a fast-paced and competitive experience that tests players’ skills and speed. While the pressure of timed battles may not be for everyone, the global leaderboard and challenge of achieving faster times provide significant replay value for competitive players.
11. Survival Mode
Overview
Survival Mode challenges players to defeat as many opponents as possible with a limited amount of health that does not fully replenish between matches. This mode tests endurance and skill over an extended series of battles.
Key Features
- Endurance Challenge: Players must survive as many battles as possible without a full health reset.
- Incremental Healing: Limited health recovery between matches adds to the challenge.
- Leaderboard: Compete for the highest number of wins on a global leaderboard.
Strengths
- Endurance Test: Survival Mode provides a rigorous test of endurance and skill, rewarding players who can maintain high performance over many matches.
- Strategic Play: The limited health recovery forces players to adopt strategic approaches to each battle.
- Leaderboard Competition: The global leaderboard adds a competitive element, encouraging players to achieve higher win streaks.
Areas for Improvement
- Repetitiveness: As with other modes, Survival Mode can become repetitive, especially if players face similar opponents repeatedly.
- High Difficulty: The mode’s high difficulty may be discouraging for less experienced players, potentially limiting its appeal.
Conclusion
Survival Mode in “Tekken 7” is a challenging and rewarding mode that tests players’ endurance and strategic thinking. While it can be repetitive and difficult, the mode’s competitive leaderboard and rigorous challenge make it a valuable addition for dedicated players.
Conclusion
“Tekken 7” offers a diverse array of game modes, each providing unique experiences and challenges. From the narrative-driven Story Mode to the competitive online modes, the game caters to a wide range of player preferences and skill levels. Here’s a summary of the key points for each mode:
- Story Mode: Engaging narrative and high production values, though relatively short with occasional difficulty spikes.
- Arcade Mode: Nostalgic appeal with unique character endings, but lacks depth and long-term rewards.
- Treasure Battle: Fun and rewarding with customization items, though can become repetitive.
- Online Modes: Robust and competitive, but sometimes affected by connection issues and matchmaking imbalances.
- Practice Mode: Comprehensive training tools with detailed move lists and frame data, though the interface can be overwhelming for newcomers.
- VR Mode: Unique and immersive, but limited in scope and requires VR hardware.
- Customization Mode: Extensive personalization options, though the interface is complex and some items are rare.
- Versus Mode: Immediate fun for local multiplayer, but limited to local play and lacks progression.
- Ghost Battle Mode: Realistic AI and adjustable difficulty, though can become repetitive.
- Time Attack Mode: Competitive and fast-paced with a global leaderboard, but can be stressful and offers limited tangible rewards.
- Survival Mode: Rigorous endurance test with strategic play and a global leaderboard, though high difficulty and repetitiveness may deter some players.
In conclusion, “Tekken 7” excels in providing a comprehensive and varied gaming experience through its numerous game modes. Each mode offers distinct strengths and caters to different aspects of the player base, ensuring that “Tekken 7” remains a rich and engaging fighting game for both casual players and competitive enthusiasts alike. Whether you are looking to immerse yourself in the storyline, compete online, or simply enjoy some casual matches with friends, “Tekken 7” has a game mode that will meet your needs and enhance your fighting game experience.