On April 1st, Tekken 8 launched its highly anticipated second season, bringing a major content update. The highlight was the arrival of Anna Williams—the deadly assassin returning as a DLC character. However, the season's release sparked heated debates among fans.

Key Update Highlights:

  • Anna Williams became available April 1st for owners of the Season 2 Character Pass and Ultimate Edition, while standalone purchasers can unlock her starting April 4th
  • Major balance adjustments were implemented, affecting both characters and core combat mechanics
  • Ranked matches now track only the current fighter's progress, rather than the player's overall rank
  • Eight new ranks were added beyond Destruction God, expanding competitive play
  • A new training arena with advanced settings was introduced in Practice Mode
  • The Tekken Shop was updated with a new Fight Pass and exclusive cosmetics, including an Anna avatar

Despite the extensive list of additions, the season launch was not without controversy:

  • Players who purchased the Ultimate Edition encountered issues accessing Anna, despite DLC characters supposedly being included
  • The expected "defensive" balance patch leaned toward aggressive playstyles, disappointing fans of tactical gameplay
  • New mechanics like "wall throws" sparked balance debates and concerns over gameplay depth
  • DLC pricing also faced criticism

Within hours of release, over 60 negative reviews appeared on Steam, with players voicing frustration over combat system changes and monetization. The community remains divided—some are adapting to the new meta, while others fear Bandai Namco is oversimplifying the game for mass appeal.

The developers' response to this feedback—and whether future patches will address these concerns—remains to be seen.

Main image: wall.alphacoders.com

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