Tekken 7 will join the growing list of 2017 games with built-in VR support when the brawler hits PC and consoles in early June. But the latest word from series producer Katsuhiro Harada may disappoint fans hoping to see first-person combat when Tekken 7 debuts next month.
There are still dozens of questions surrounding Tekken 7, the last Mishima-helmed addition to the Tekken franchise, despite the fact that Bandai Namco’s next fighting game heads to stores in just over a month. Unfortunately, without any major conventions between now and the Tekken 7 release date -- and Bandai Namco remaining tight-lipped about the project -- it’s starting to feel like many of those questions will remain unanswered until the game hits stores. Fortunately, the publisher made Harada, longtime producer for the Tekken franchise, available to IGN for a brief Q&A.
Unfortunately, it sounds like Tekken 7’s rarely-discussed virtual reality support is going to be pretty underwhelming for those already experienced with the medium. Rather than implement first-person fighting, like Capcom did for Ultra Street Fighter 2: The Final Challengers, Bandai Namco is taking a much more cautious approach to Tekken’s VR implementation. First-person combat won’t be an option in Tekken 7 and it doesn’t sound like the publisher has any plans to implement it post-launch. Instead, Harada says fans can expect to see Bandai Namco using virtual reality to improve the viewing experience for the Tekken community.
“We ended up focusing more on the character elements of it, where you can customize your character and look at it from various angles,” Harada told IGN. “Or... slow down the match, and change the camera angles so you can see the game like you’ve never seen it before. These are the kind of things that make Tekken a more enjoyable experience in VR.”
Elsewhere, YouTube user Zanar Aesthetics published seven new Tekken 7 gameplay videos, featuring character customization options for several members of the roster. Players will have access to dozens of personalization items, ranging from new clothes to face paint, to tailor the appearance of their favorite fighter(s) to their liking. The new footage also offers an early look at the game’s Treasure Battle and Story modes, along with previews of the Kinder Gym and Infinite Azure stages that will be featured in the launch build of Tekken 7. The channel even managed to get its hands on the battle between young Kazuya and Heihachi that’s been teased in several previous trailers for the game. It isn’t an especially long clip but who can’t appreciate a little extra game footage on a Monday morning?
For more on Tekken 7, check out the videos embedded below or head over to Zanar Aesthetics’ channel to watch the latest round of gameplay footage to hit the web. Then head down to the comments section and let us know what you’re hoping to see when Tekken 7 heads to PC and consoles early next month.
Tekken 7 is in development for PS4, Xbox One and PC. The game debuts June 2.
Be sure to check back with iDigitalTimes and follow Scott on Twitter for more Tekken 7 news in 2017 and however long Bandai Namco continues to support Tekken 7 after launch.
