[8/16/04] Tekken 3

[Mag]

Game: Tekken 3

Genre: Fighting

Platform: Arcade, Playstation

Release: 1997

 

Tekken strikes back with vengeance with the third installment, picking up where Tekken 2 left off. This time the game not only follow the story but has made huge improvements since the previous tekken was out 2 years ago. Now that have given a better pump for all tekken fans to enjoy. As for the story, it has fast forward 19 years ago where Heihachi threw his son Kazuya into the vocanoe and took control of the 3rd King of the Iron fist tournament. This time a recent being has appear to be in the dominant lead of defeating. In order for everyone to claim the prize of the 3rd tournament, they have to capture and defeat him. This is how the 3rd King of Iron Fist tournament begins.

 

There are a total of 18 characters selectable, but only 10 to start with. The exact same way to unlock them is by beating the game with each character. The game roster has changes over the 19 years in the story. There are old characters coming back, and as well as new ones. Interesting to notice the new fighters such as Forest Law and Jin are offsprings from the previous fighters of tekken 2. Yet again, the story continue to unfold where tekken 2 left off.

 

The huge improvements make this game worth the wait after 2 year in the development. The game is quite polish from the previous title. The game engine is rebuilt better, now the gameplay is much faster than the first, almost as face-pace as it look. Every new and old character came back with new moves that pull off a spectacular show. A new feature is also put in, during a match with your oponent, you have the ability to dodge their attacks. The new side stepping is quite easy to use for both offense and defense. They also have added new counter features such as rehersal, there are various setups to pull off a rehersal either in a grabble, punch or kick. The new counters are very useful, making it more competetive, given better oppurtunities to show off or to payback, all require timing and pratices. There are also new 10-Hit string combos for almost every characters. New special moves, setups, and new grabble juggling, make the game wildest and incredible than you imagine. Other than the one on one battle feature, the console port features several fun minigames to try out. Minigames such as Tekken Ball (try to kill your oponent by using the ball as a launching projectile, and Tekken Force (a side scrolling quest where you fight through the level beating multiple of enemies which also lets you pick up items on the floor that could regain health points as well as earning points for the score). The mini-games are pretty much added more fun and excitement.

 

Graphic improvement is quite remarkable, this time with better detailed characters, and design. The polygons has gotten sharper in the visual department. Even the effects of a special blow or a super attack, you can actually see the spark and effect of it. As for the background, it's completely done new from the start. Now instead of 2D backgrounds the previous tekken games used, now there are 3D nice looking environment to fight on. Since the game has been redone nicely both the character and background incredibily, it's amazing to see the fighting engine faster than before under those huge changes from the graphic department.

 

The sounds is still on the role just like the previous title but with better changes for the best. The voice-over is slightly redone with better tone. Sound effect in the game has been improve as well, such as whenever a lock on grabble is perform, you can actually hear better realistic sound of bones being snap or crunch. As for the background music, the music has improve with faster beats and rythem perfect for this fast-pace fighting game.

 

Well up to now, this is by far the best Tekken game yet. These 2 years in the making has impressed the Tekken fans, and it was worth the wait. This game indeed a true franchise in the market, this is a true realistic 3D fighting game you can't miss out, Let's not forget this game is a must-own/play for all the Tekken fans.

 

Visual: 9/10

Gameplay: 10/10

Control: 9/10

Sound: 9/10

 

Overall Score: 10

 

Overall Grade: A

 

Overall, I gvive this game a :unsure:

[Weirdy]

best one in the series IMO

 

I memmer how fun it was to stay up all night just getting secret characters

 

...good times

[Gryph]

This is my favorite Tekken. I don't even like Tekken but this was pretty fun.

[Agozer]

Tekken 3 is teh shiznit. Best Tekken so far... and yes, I'm not a hardcore Tekken fan, but it was a must-buy when I still had my PS1.

[Mag]

Ain't it the truth, thats why this tekken review recieve the highest grade of em all, and this is the tekken that takes the cake