Tekken 8 Season 2 Changes Spark Outrage, Pros Threaten Boycott, Steam Reviews Plummet

The Tekken 8 community has erupted in fury following the Season 2 update, which has introduced several changes that many players find contentious. The patch notes disclosed an across-the-board increase in character damage potential and offensive pressure, leading some to argue that the game has deviated significantly from the traditional Tekken experience.

Professional Tekken player JoKa voiced his frustration, stating that the Season 2 update has transformed the game to the point where "this does not feel like Tekken AT ALL." He elaborated on the issues, saying, "Characters getting buffed even in the slightest is not the way, along with more stance-based transitions where 50/50 situations are enhanced. Some of the new moves added are insane with little to no counterplay. Characters getting their weaknesses patched and identities being removed by homogenization is lazy balancing. Oki being gutted and heat just getting buffed makes no sense. Combo damage is too much across the whole roster. I definitely think the sidesteps are better but does that really matter when moves exist with crazy tracking/hitboxes? Chip damage is still excessive with most heat smashes remaining the same. Removing strategy in favor of more 50/50 situations isn't interesting gameplay and is moving away from the foundation of Tekken. Where are the defensive options that were mentioned?"

T8 now hit the most negative reviews in a day since the day the Tekken Shop launched one year ago by YourGameTVlol in Tekken

As expected, the Steam page for Tekken 8 has become a platform for players to voice their discontent. The game has been inundated with over 1,100 negative reviews in the last two days, resulting in a 'mostly negative' user review rating for recent reviews. One of the most helpful reviews reads, "Genuinely good game held back by schizophrenic insane developers sent from hell." Another review criticizes, "New season dropped and they made every character into a braindead easy mix up machine without a single buff to defense." A third review laments, "After promising changes to open up defensive options, the balance team has doubled down on extremely powerful offense that takes away all agency from the defending player." Another player expressed disappointment, stating, "Not every character needs to be able to force 50/50 canned mixups constantly, but it seems like the balance team doesn't have any other ideas for how to build characters at this point. It's just a shame to see another legacy fighting game become entirely defined by character offense and situations with little to no response from the defender."

The backlash has been so severe that some Tekken fans are abandoning the game in favor of Capcom's Street Fighter 6. Season 2 has been dubbed the "worst patch in Tekken history" by some, and several professional players have threatened to quit Tekken 8 altogether.

I don't know if I'll continue playing Tekken if this patch stays. I'm sorry for doomposting, but I thought it had a chance to be a better game. I'm just really sad. Like depressed. I streamed 70 hours of Tekken this past week to prep for s2 just to have those hopes shattered. Gn.

— END | Jesandy (@Jesandy1572) April 1, 2025

The community is now eagerly awaiting a response from the development team regarding the complaints. Many are calling for the patch to be rolled back entirely, while others are advocating for an emergency follow-up patch to address the key issues.