After the surprising updates from Tekken 8 last week, Bandai Namco returns to the trailer reveal train with Leo. Leo is one of the fighters yet to have a dedicated Tekken 8 trailer, and fans have him here now to see. Leo Kliesen is one of Tekken‘s intriguing entries since his first appearance in Tekken 6 as a Bajiquan practitioner. Many could recall them walking away from a grave in the Tekken 6 console intro. They are back in their 3rd main timeline appearance since Tekken 6.
Leo’s story is intertwined with Kazuya due to his mother’s research for G-Corp. Leo believes that Kazuya is responsible for her death and hopes to end this here. Here’s his story from Tekken 8’s official site.
Leo is a Bajiquan user born to Niklas Kliesen, a world-renowned archaeologist, and Emma Kliesen, an authority in genetic research.With a father versed in martial arts and an inquisitively minded mother, Leo uses these inherited skills to set off on a hunt for the truth behind the mysterious circumstances of Emma Kliesen’s death one year prior.Risking life and limb, Leo obtains confidential data from G Corp that Emma Kliesen had been researching the devil gene there.From this data, Leo also learns that Kazuya Mishima had sent out orders that key researchers who were no longer needed were to be “taken care of.”Around the same time, the Mishima Zaibatsu announces that Kazuya Mishima, the mastermind behind G Corp, is himself a devil. In this moment, the puzzle pieces fall into place for Leo.Kazuya must have initiated the research so he could gain control over the devil’s power, and then killed Leo’s mother when she was no longer of use.Full of rage, Leo is on the verge of a breakdown. But suddenly, the words of Leo’s father, who had gone missing many years ago, echo in Leo’s ears. “Listen, Leo. Like a lost coin, the truth is only found when your heart is calm and open.”Yes. Just relax. That’s all it takes. Spurred by these words, Leo sets out on another journey in search of more concrete answers.
Baji Quan is one of the more unpredictable arts seen in fighting games, with powerful body checks, shoulder moves, and double-handed presses. Leo’s super has them going all Batman with a grappling hook to deliver a move even Akira Yuki – from Virtua Fighter and possibly the first to bring this art to fighting games – would be proud to see. Leo squares off against Jin Kazama, and Coffee Queen Azucena Castillo, in thier trailer.
Tekken 8 has several other characters to bring about in trailer form before launch. Notable in the final bunch are Yoshimitsu and Steve.
Tekken 8 will be available on January 24th on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC.
