Tekken 8 Faces Criticism with 'Mostly Negative' Steam Reviews

Controversial changes to Tekken 8's monetization system lead to a 'Mostly Negative' review score on Steam.
Tekken 8 Faces Criticism with 'Mostly Negative' Steam Reviews

Highlights

  • Tekken 8's Steam reviews plummet to 'Mostly Negative' due to contentious monetization alterations that have triggered backlash from fans.
  • Despite an initially positive reception, Tekken 8 encounters backlash over its Battle Pass and crackdown on fan-made mods, impacting public opinion.
  • Bandai Namco's reputation with Tekken 8 is at stake as community dissatisfaction persists, resulting in a decline in recent review ratings.

The recent reviews for Tekken 8 on Steam have taken a hit, now labeled as 'Mostly Negative,' sparking heated discussions. The alterations to the game's monetization approach have stirred discontent among players, a stark contrast to the game's warm reception upon its January launch. After three months, Tekken 8 is facing a significant downturn in public sentiment.

Tekken 8 was highly anticipated in the fighting game genre, earning praise for its modern approach. While a critical and financial success initially, with over 2 million copies sold in the first month, fans did find some flaws in the game's systems.

Presently, a surge of new negative feedback on Tekken 8's Steam page has tanked its recent review score to a mere 37%, reaching the 'Mostly Negative' category. Although the overall reviews since launch still maintain a 'Mostly Positive' status at 74%, the sudden drop in recent ratings hints at ongoing unrest within the player community.

Tekken 8 in the Midst of Controversy

Many user reviews highlight reasons why they can't recommend Tekken 8 to others, with a common complaint revolving around the game's monetization model. Particularly, the seasonal Battle Pass in Tekken 8 received extensive criticism, adding another payment option alongside the base game cost, Season Pass, and in-game purchases.

Furthermore, discontent arose from the removal of user-created mod videos, seen as an effort to curb modders that might impact in-game store profits. Players also expressed frustration over Bandai Namco's emphasis on monetization rather than addressing core issues like performance and matchmaking.

While Tekken 8's reputation isn't irreparable despite recent controversies, the drop in its Steam rating signals vulnerability. The community's reception to the upcoming DLC characters may determine if Bandai Namco can regain trust from players.