Tekken 5

Tekken 4 could've been a much better game, especially considering the fanfare it received during the build up to its Playstation 2. And while it lacked in terms of bringing the series to the next level, it laid the foundations for its far better sequel: enter Tekken 5. If you imagine the best of Tekken 4 mixed in with the better parts of Tekken 3, you're on the right path to what adjustments Namco have made to the latest Tekken release on Playstation 2. It re-introduces old favourites (e.g. Bruce, Baek, Jack, etc) and brings in 3 new, but equally as decent fighters

Now the biggest problem with Tekken 4 was the lifespan, Namco have absolutely floored this issue in Tekken 5. The variety of new modes is jaw-dropping. Some of the new modes include Arcade History – essentially this includes perfectly emulated versions of Tekken 1, 2 and 3, which is a nice inclusion if you're an old fan of the series. Another new mode is Devil Within, which is a separate adventure game where you control Jin and battle foes. And the most exciting addition is the inclusion of the character customisation options, previously made famous in Virtua Fighter 4. The reason this mode means so much is because it gives far more meaning and re-play value to Tekken than there ever was before. The way this has been done is that Namco have replaced the old arcade mode which pitted you in 8-10 stages with an arcade style kumite mode.

This makes the game so much more fun than it was before because you level up and become higher in the Tekken ranks as you play through the mode. This gives the player an incentive to keep training with certain characters and make themselves and their character better at the game as they play. It is also an interesting feature to the series because you earn gold with each fight you win. The money can be spent to buy items and different colour schemes to use in the character customisation mode. It proves to be very addictive and because of that, is the key feature of Tekken 5 on Playstation 2.

Dread not though if you still want the old Tekken style of beating the end boss and earning those ever so gorgeous character endings. In the new and improved story mode, a feature originally set out in Tekken 4, you can learn about the ever so seriously developed storyline in the short but great cutscenes provided throughout this mode. In the end, it sticks out as a glorified arcade mode, but unlike older Tekken games, this one play a lot better as you progress towards the end. Namco have also remembered to include the other modes made famous in previous Tekkens, such as Vs Battle, Time Attack, Survival and Team Battle. Theatre mode also has been improved, furthermore from Tekken 4 and now host all endings, music and even E3 trailers related to Tekken 5.

The graphics too are impressive as you might suspect from the talented bunch from Namco. Each stage is originally designed and magnificently executed from the raw power of the Playstation 2. Each character is also lovingly detailed and lusciously animated on the screen and the cinematics continue to push Hollywood quality boundaries in their style and quality. The gameplay itself plays more like Tekken 3 than Tekken 4 with this release, with the well recognised limb control still working like a charm. Moves are performed accordingly and each command is responsive and accurate. Tekken still plays fantastically with a Playstation controller. However, the problem with this is the combat is easily exploited in Tekken 5. Juggling combos and other cheap attacks still can't be quarrelled like in other fighting games. The end boss is also far more difficulty to defeat in Tekken 5 than any other boss in the series.

A short disappointment too, the Devil Within mode isn't very fun and actually grows repetitive if played long enough. A draw-back to the Tekken History mode too is that the games don't store ranking saves once the game is turned off, even after saving the game. There are also a ton of small other problems with Tekken 5, firstly because it feels like a step-back in the series even with the new content. Tekken 5 had to revert back to the formula used in Tekken 3 where as it could've just sticked with the one it had in Tekken 4. Because of this, many of the stages aren't as open as they were in Tekken 4 which is sad and the environments can't be destroyed either.

There also aren't many improvements made to the core gameplay itself. When it comes down to it, we're still playing a souped up version of Tekken 3, like with Tekken Tag Tournament released nearly 5 years before this. Lastly, it seems as though a lot of the endings are cut off when they finish which doesn't feel very smooth. Also, a re-introduction of the Tag feature could've helped this game out just a little more, sadly it wasn't added in. But when it compares to the list of features already present in Tekken 5 for Playstation 2, it doesn't really matter. There are also a ton of unlockables like characters and even arcade games if you put the effort in to beat the game.

Summed up though, this is easily one of the best fighting titles available on Playstation 2, perhaps of this generation of gaming too. It is a fluent, generous fighter - very loyal to its roots and fans of the series. If you started out with one of the early Tekken games, you're bound to like Tekken 5. If you're a newcomer to the Tekken games with Tekken 5, you'll still like this game. Do yourself a favour and buy it.