Summary
2023 was the start of a new generation of fighting games.Street Fighter 6andMortal Kombat 1were released for current-generation consoles, andTekken 8is coming out at the end of January, continuing this new golden age of fighting games. Like its contemporaries,Tekken 8will feature a considerable increase in single-player content and a leap in its graphical presentation.Tekkenstands out as the only major 3D fighting game series on the market, which appeals to many, but it also has a reputation for being difficult to learn, making it as daunting as it is tantalizing. Thankfully, certain characters make diving into the long-running franchise more approachable.
One ofTekken’s defining traits is the extent to which it rewards legacy skill. If a player learns a character in an older entry, they will play largely the same in later ones, usually with added abilities rather than altered ones. This means that a player’s experience is rewarded across entries much more than in other fighting game series. Of all thecharacters inTekken 8’s roster, Asuka Kazama stands out because she is easy to pick up but powerful. Her defensive abilities reward veteran players for understanding the enemy’s moveset while allowing new players to learn simple combos as they come to understand the series' intricacies.
Asuka Kazama is One of Tekken’s Most Defensive Characters
Historically, Asuka Kazama has been awful at creating openings with her offensive attacks. Kazama-Style Traditional Martial Arts is a defensive fighting style that rewards punishing opponent’s mistakes and predicting their actions. This stands in stark contrast to theMishima Family’s fighting style, the other most recognizable clan in the series. Asuka combines the defensive style of her family with some rough-around-the-edge brawler techniques, eschewing some of the elegance in characters like Jun Kazama’s moveset in favor of hard-hitting haymakers and other brutal attacks. Asuka may be bad at opening up opponents, but her defensive fighting style lets her counter opponents with powerful grabs and short but devastating combos.
Asuka Has Lots of Crush Moves
Crush moves were introduced alongside Asuka inTekken 5, and her unparalleled access to them is still what sets her apart. Crush moves allow the player to dodge usually unavoidable attacks and punish them. To effectively use crush moves, players need to be able to accurately predict or quickly read their opponent’s actions. Asuka is effective at punishing attacks without these moves as well, but if her opponent is spamming something that can’t be evaded otherwise, they are her best tool for keeping the opponent at bay. Her wide array of crushes makes her unique, though one of the new characters,Reina, also appears to have a plethora of them.
Who Should Play Asuka Kazama in Tekken 8?
Asuka Kazama is a strong choice for veterans and new players alike. She has plenty of easy combos and is rewarded for defending. Focusing on punishing rather than lashing out is an effective way for new players to see what does and doesn’t work, making Asuka a good introduction toTekken. For veteran players who know how most of the characters play, Asuka’s array of crush moves rewards game knowledge. Playing as Asuka entails learning about all the characters, which also makes her a good fighter to branch out from.Jun Kazamahas many of the same moves but is more focused on offense, and Reina blends evasion with an aggressive playstyle rather than a defensive one. Jin Kazama utilizes some Kazama-style techniques in his fighting as well.
Tekken 8will feature a roster of 32 characters at launch, meaning that there will be a combatant for almost every playstyle.Tekken 8DLC leakshave suggested that even more fighters will be added as well. For players who are more defensively inclined or unsure of which character to pick, Asuka Kazama is a strong choice, as she embodies the concept of easy-to-learn but hard-to-master. Asuka allows players to build a skill set quickly and feel comfortable in matches but rewards extended study of the game as well, making her a great main for all types of players.
