Upon the revelation of Heihachi Mishima as the next DLC character in Tekken 8, it was a surprising yet expected occurrence. Despite his demise in the previous entry, Tekken 7, where he was thrown into a volcano, Heihachi miraculously returned. The power of DLC seems to surpass even death.
Heihachi’s comeback brings a new story mode named Unforgotten Echoes, providing insights into the activities of other DLC characters such as Eddy Gordo and Lidia Sobieska during the events of Tekken 8. Fortunately, Unforgotten Echoes is a free update, allowing players to experience the DLC characters without any additional cost.
Having played the first five chapters of Unforgotten Echoes, Digital Trends had a conversation with producer Michael Murray about Heihachi’s resurrection, his developments in Tekken 8 compared to previous versions, and the balance of characters within the roster.
Reviving the Antagonist
Bandai Namco’s decision to bring back Heihachi was driven by the mutual desire of fans and developers. Director Katsuhiro Harada initially instructed the team to give Heihachi a convincing appearance of death, sparking the intention to eliminate the character.
“However, Harada clarified that he didn’t mean to kill him,” Murray explains to Digital Trends. “Our aim was to devise a realistic method for his resurrection in Tekken 8. So, we did contemplate his demise at the beginning.”
Heihachi introduces a new gameplay mechanic called Warrior’s Instinct, altering the properties of his attacks and giving him a menacing reddish aura. This enhanced state enables him to inflict more recoverable health damage, execute additional move extensions, and create effective combos. The narrative integration of this mechanic aims to maintain Heihachi’s formidable presence.
“In Tekken 7, he was more technical, requiring precise techniques to create openings for damage,” Murray notes. “Now, he adopts a more dynamic and potent approach to engaging opponents.”
To balance Warrior’s Instinct, the mechanic has a delayed activation process requiring Heihachi to enter a Heat state thrice, achievable once per round. This delay ensures that Heihachi cannot unleash the enhanced state immediately, and his vulnerabilities to low attacks prevent him from overpowering the rest of the cast.
New Elements
The update introduces the Genmaji Temple stage, a pivotal location in Unforgotten Echoes serving as a secluded training ground for Tekken monks. The stage features detailed temple structures bathed in light amid lush vegetation. As a celebration of Heihachi’s return, the developers crafted a Japanese-themed central stage.
“The transition from autumn to winter inspired the visuals, incorporating falling leaves and a color palette shifting from brown-orange to snow white,” Murray explains. “We aimed to create a hidden martial arts practice area with a touch of Tekken’s trademark humor.”
Reina, a prominent new character in Tekken 8, posed as a significant threat. With Heihachi’s resurgence, Reina’s role becomes a point of interest. Murray mentions the long-standing desire of him and Harada to introduce a female Mishima character, expressing satisfaction with Reina’s reception among fans.
“Heihachi’s return doesn’t diminish her importance,” he clarifies. “The potential narrative between her and Heihachi remains a mystery for now, leaving room for future developments.”
Tekken 8‘s DLC 3 is set to launch on October 1 for Season Pass holders and October 4 for other platforms including PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
