The final character for the first season of DLC inTekken 8has been announced, and it’s one that’s going to disappoint many. After announcing that a second season was in development, Bandai Namco teased that the final character for Season 1 would be revealed during The Game Awards 2024. During the presentation, the promised trailer revealed thatClive Rosfield, the protagonist fromFinal Fantasy 16, would be the next DLC character forTekken 8.
Reaction to the announcement fromTekkenandFinal Fantasyfans was rather mixed. Guest characters are nothing new to theTekkenfranchise, so some form of crossover appearance was all but a certainty going into the show. The problem is,many fans had their hopes up for a very differentFinal Fantasycharacter: Tifa fromFinal Fantasy 7, who remains conspicuously absent in the popular fighting game series.
Tekken Keeps Adding The Wrong Final Fantasy Characters
First Noctis, Now Clive Is Disappointing Fans
Guest characters have been a part ofTekkenever since an obscure manga character named Gon appeared inTekken 3, but things were taken to a new level inTekken 7. WithAkuma fromStreet Fighterincluded at launch, plusFatal Fury’s Geese Howard and Negan fromThe Walking Deadadded as DLC,Tekken 7was packed with crossover appeal.That also ended up including Noctis Lucis Caelum, the main character fromFinal Fantasy 15, who was added to the game in 2018.
Noctis was released as paid DLC forTekken 7as part of the game’s first season.
While Noctis was undeniably a cool character to see interpreted in a fighting game, his inclusion inTekkenraised more than a few eyebrows. As soon as characters from other franchises were on the table, fans were eager to share their hopes and dreams about who else should make it in, and among the thousands of suggestions,Tifa was one of the most common picks.
Tekken 8 Review: “One Of Gaming’s Most Complex & Rewarding Fighters”
Gaming’s most intricate fighter has returned with Tekken 8, and while it’s made changes for newcomers, it’s got a lot to chew on for veteran players.
Bandai Namco is now set to repeat the same mistake again seven years later with the addition of Clive toTekken 8. Expectations for guest characters in fighting games have only gotten higher, and as the first guest forTekken 8, Bandai Namco needed to make this one really count. While Clive will almost certainly be a cool character in his own right,Tekken has once again dropped the ball by not opting for the most obvious choice.
Why Tekken Players Want Tifa
A Perfect Fit For The World Of Fighting Games
It should be no real wonder why Tifa is in such demand for a spot on theTekkenroster.Final Fantasy 7was a revolutionary game for its time, and while all of its characters have become icons in their own right,Tifa holds a special place in the hearts of many. Whether she wooed fans with her charm, her design, or just her utility in battle, Tifa has become a beloved character whose enduring popularity stands the test of time.
Final Fantasy 7: 10 Best Quotes From Tifa
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Tifa Lockhart is the heart and soul of Cloud’s party and her various insights and comments are always fun or meaningful.
She’s also a perfect fit for the universe of Tekken as one of the rare RPG characters who fights entirely with her fists. Watching her knock out enemies with punches and kicks,it’s easy to imagine her fitting right into a traditional fighting game–much moreso than sword-wielding characters like Noctis and Clive. She wouldn’t look the slightest bit out of place stepping into the ring against the likes ofHeihachi Mishima inTekken 8.
Now Is The Perfect Time For Tifa In Tekken
Square Enix And Bandai Namco Should Strike While The Iron’s Hot
Clive’s inclusion inTekken 8is particularly stinging becausethe timing feels even more perfect to add Tifa now than it did six years ago.Final Fantasy 16was released in 2023 to very positive reviewsand four nominations at that year’s Game Awards. Conversely,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthreleased in 2024 to overwhelmingly positive reviewsand seven nominations at The Game Awards, including Game of the Year.
2023
87/100
4 (1 win)
2024
92/100
7 (1 win)
90/100
2 (1 win)
By every metric,FF7 Rebirthis the game that warrants the cross-promotion the most, and as the most eligible representative of that game, Tifa joiningTekken 8would be a slam dunk move for everyone involved. Withsales figures forFF7 Rebirthbeing less than stellaraccording to Square Enix, the game could use a boost in advertising; at the same time,Tekken 8has sold like hotcakes, but has come under fire for its mismanaged monetization systems.A beloved character like Tifa joining the fray would surely rake in both money and good publicityfor both companies.
Crossover content has become a hot commodity in every corner of the gaming market over the last few years, requiring a constant need to up the stakes. In order to remain competitive and keep its player base happy,Tekken 8needs to add a character that will really get people excited – and Clive is not that character.
Source:Bandai Namco of America/YouTube
Tekken 8
Tekken 8 is the next installment in the 3D fighting game franchise, initially teased at EVO 2022. Formally revealed at the PlayStation State of Play in September of 2022, The King of the Iron Fist Tournament returns with several classic characters returning, as well as a brand new fleshed-out single-player mode.
