What you can expect in Summer for Tekken 8

EVO Japan 2025 has wrapped up, leaving the fighting game community buzzing with excitement—and, in some cases, frustration. Tekken 8, one of the biggest titles at the event, had its fair share of announcements, including new content, balance updates, and a controversial DLC reveal. Let’s break down everything that went down at Tokyo Big Sight.

Fahkumram Returns as DLC

One of the biggest reveals was the return of Fahkumram, the Muay Thai powerhouse who first appeared in Tekken 7. While some fans were excited to see him back, others were disappointed, feeling that Bandai Namco could have introduced a fresh character instead. His teaser trailer showed him dropping onto the battlefield, breaking free from his restraints, and declaring his opponent his next victim.

New Content Roadmap

Bandai Namco outlined its Season 2 roadmap, which includes:

Balance Update (May 13, 2025) – Adjustments to character strengths and weaknesses.
Ghost Showdown Mode – A new feature in the Tekken Lounge.
Karate Kid: Legends Crossover (June 3, 2025) – Free cosmetics inspired by the upcoming Karate Kid movie, including a hoodie and themed billboards.
Pac-Man Collaboration (Summer 2025) – A new stage called Pac-Pixels and various Pac-Man-themed cosmetics.

Despite these additions, the community’s reaction was lukewarm. Many players expressed disappointment, feeling that the updates lacked meaningful gameplay improvements.

Competitive Scene: Knee Dominates

On the tournament side, legendary South Korean player Knee once again proved his dominance, winning the Tekken 8 championship at EVO Japan 2025. Using Bryan, he defeated Mulgold in a thrilling 3-2 grand final match. His victory secured him 800 points for the Tekken World Tour 2025 and a spot in the upcoming Esports World Cup 2025.+

Community Reactions

The Tekken 8 community has been vocal about its concerns. While some players appreciate the new content, others feel that Bandai Namco is focusing too much on cosmetics and collaborations rather than addressing core gameplay issues. The Season 2 update had already caused problems, requiring an emergency patch, and many fear that future updates may not be enough to fix the game’s balance.

With EVO Japan 2025 setting the stage for the Tekken World Tour, all eyes are now on upcoming tournaments and potential future updates. Will Bandai Namco listen to player feedback and make meaningful changes? Or will the community’s frustration continue to grow? Only time will tell.