Ouch. We knew it was going to look good, but nothing could have prepared us for the vicious beating our eyeballs received when they happened upon this gorgeous batch of hi-res Tekken 4 screens. Having had a good crack at the arcade version, we were pleased to find that the PS2 version is shaping up to be a top-notch conversion that should actually supersede its coin-operated predecessor thanks to the heap of new options that will be included alongside the standard Arcade mode. Tekken 3 enthusiasts should already be aware that an awesome-looking update of the lovely Tekken Force is included into the bargain (alongside the usual Versus and Survival features), while the introduction of Story mode should serve to strengthen the traditional standard single player fighting experience.
The fighting system has seen a number of changes, too, not least because bouts now take place in enclosed arenas where use of the surrounding walls is now an intricate tactical addition to standard combat. Just check out the image of an uncharacteristically floppy-haired Paul Phoenix (going for the Kurt Cobain look?) unleashing his legendary Deathfist punch on a cornered Kazuya to see what we mean. Thankfully, a new throw that switches the opponents' positions has also been introduced to avoid constant back-to-the-wall action and subsequent cheap victories galore. Huzzah.
The stages themselves are gorgeous and hugely varied multi-level affairs, with environments ranging from dense neon-lit cities to Fight Club-esque warehouses packed with gawping spectators to a forest clearing complete with positively jaw-dropping water effects. It's all enough to make grown man weep with joy. Not us, though; we reckon we could take on the entire Tekken bunch with our feet tied behind our back (painful!), but then we do have the advantage of actually existing and being, y'know, real people.
You see? It's already got us spouting inane gibberish, such is the power of its mind-altering loveliness. It looks great, we already know that it plays brilliantly and the extra options can only serve to make a wonderful thing even better. How can it lose? Look, drool, wait. In that order.
