Everyone’s 2nd favorite British brawler is back at it in Tekken 8. Steve Fox’s trailer is out, courtesy of Bandai Namco. Steve has been in every Tekken since his Tekken 4 debut. Not sure if the chains and straps are helping the pugilist in the new look he gets, but his Rage Art seems to still be intact with his crosses. The test subject turned heavyweight champ takes the Tekken 8 stage, and the said jacket chains barely mess with Steve’s uppercut ability. It’s still a solid launcher against the likes of even King. I doubt King’s throwing the match.
Steve’s rapid punches are back for that close-up game. He’s still in the bob-and-weave movements to distort and train-wreck the competition. His fight against Hwaowrang, in the later parts of the trailer, demonstrates the boxer’s form with the Heat mode in effect. Against King, Steve shows off a new back step weave against a kick, throwing in some well-timed distance. Steve’s Heat Smash looks like it could lead to a combo if done quickly enough. Of course, that’s speculation, and we won’t know until we get some hands-on with Steve.
For those who didn’t know, Steve’s genetic material is of Tekken’s original femme fatale, cool-headed assassin – Nina Williams.
He encounters Nina Williams by chance and learns that he was made from her genetic material. Although they are mother and son by blood, Nina has never acknowledged Steve as her own. To Steve, knowing his roots was everything. Nina, on the other hand, believed such knowledge to be a mere inconvenience.
With Nina’s history with the cryogenic work, I’d find it hard to believe, too.
Is that… a boxing ring?
Steve and Haowrang seem to not have settled their score since Tekken 5. The two clash in an intro that only anime could build. Before they do, it’s apparent that Haowrang is the true king of running his mouth. According to Tekken, Steve is also friends with Paul Phoenix and Marshall Law, so those two special intros alone are forthcoming. Speaking of ‘tros, how are they able to get a ring to just pop out of nowhere for this? Yes, between Nina getting shot at after a win and Hwaowrang’s motorcycle driving in a volcano, this is the one I’m questioning!
Who’s Left?
Steve joins the Tekken 8 roster as one of the last characters to receive a dedicated trailer to show their prowess. Last week’s Leo trailer with some other notable faces left, I’d imagine that it will only get crazier from here. Especially, Yoshimitsu’s trailer. If the roster seems to be an indicator, the teddy bear pet Kuma should be next in line to get his trailer.
Tekken 8 arrives onto the scene on January 26th on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
