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

The Tekken 8 community has erupted in frustration following the Season 2 update, which introduced a series of changes that many players feel have deviated significantly from the traditional Tekken experience. The patch notes highlighted an increase in character damage potential and offensive pressure, leading to widespread discontent among fans.

Professional Tekken player JoKa expressed his dismay, stating that the update has transformed the game to the point where "this does not feel like Tekken AT ALL." He criticized the update for buffing characters, enhancing 50/50 situations, and introducing new moves with little to no counterplay. JoKa also pointed out the removal of character weaknesses and identities through homogenization, the gutting of oki, and the excessive combo damage across the roster. He questioned the lack of promised defensive options, emphasizing that the changes have shifted the game away from its strategic roots.

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

byu/YourGameTVlol inTekken

The backlash has been palpable on Tekken 8's Steam page, where over 1,100 negative reviews have been posted in the last two days, resulting in a 'mostly negative' user review rating for recent reviews. Players have voiced their frustrations, with one review describing the game as "genuinely good [but] held back by schizophrenic insane developers sent from hell." Another review lamented the new season's focus on "braindead easy mix up machine[s] without a single buff to defense," while others criticized the balance team for prioritizing powerful offense over defensive options.

The dissatisfaction has led some fans to abandon Tekken 8 in favor of Capcom's Street Fighter 6, while others have labeled Season 2 as the "worst patch in Tekken history." Some professional players have even threatened to quit the game entirely, with one player, Jesandy, expressing deep disappointment and sadness over the update after dedicating significant time to preparing for Season 2.

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, with many calling for either a complete rollback of the patch or an emergency follow-up patch to address the key issues raised by players.