Still, Tekken 7 does not do much in the way of making it easy for non-Tekkenaficionados to start learning its myriad, complex fighting system. The changes are not exactly revolutionary either.

This is a series that has a working formula, after all. So, why fix it if ain’t broke? Nevertheless, fans who dropped out during the last few installments will find plenty to entice them to return and pick up those controllers or joysticks and start playing.

Tekken 7 actually came out in Japan two years ago in arcade form and this newly released console version comes closer to Tekken 7: Fated Retribution, an updated version of the arcade game that came out a couple months after the original.

The most significant additions to the regular fighting mechanics are two modes: Rage Art and Power Crush.

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The first mode lets players who are critically injured execute massively strong attacks on enemies, roughly damaging about 30 percent of their health bar. This attack is only available, however, in exchange for turning off the regular attack power increase.

The second mode is a berserker-type defense system that lets players continue attacking their enemies even as they are being pounded or kicked.

There is also the rather unfortunately named Screw Attack, which spins the enemy’s fall sideways when they are hit airborne. This, of course, is a great opportunity to inflict further damage using combos.

The single-player mission runs through the usual crazy Tekken narrative.

New players without the luxury of lots of videogame research time should not worry about trying to comprehend the growing storyline, which, as always, involves the evil, arms-dealing corporations Mishima Zaibatsu and G-Corp.

Like an ultra-bizarre-fantasy-gone-awry version of the usual mob drama, the story continues straight after the events of Tekken 6 and involves a power struggle between three generations of the Mishima family: veteran Tekkenbrawlers Kazuya, Jin and Heihachi.

In between, there are flashes from the past and future, with new and old characters coming in and out of the story in ways that only makes beautiful sense in the Tekken universe.

All these are told through the eyes of a journalist on assignment to write an exposé of the families. The entire absurdity is actually pretty great.

Included in the adventure are also characters from the equally famous and influential fighting series, Street Fighter, such as the powerful master of dark martial arts, Akuma, whom players can battle as the final boss if certain conditions are met through the mission.

Alongside Akuma, there are nine other new characters that can be used, including Josie Rizal, a Filipino character whose inclusion might trigger hope among Indonesian players for an Indonesian character to be included in the near future.

There is also arcade mode, which as usual provides a conventional play-through, in which players progress by facing off against five different enemies before fighting the boss.

Tekken 7 also features a customization option, which is a way to make sure your character has a unique look. The option is abundant and good enough for some sense of individuality. These customization options can also be unlocked through in-fight bonuses, which also rank players who are eager to rise up in their online status.

What may help newer players is the control option, which lets players use shortcut buttons in order to execute special moves. There is also a timed practice mode.

Tekken 7 is a great addition to the series. Though far from simple, it comes closest to being inviting for newer players. This game is a joyful tie-in, brawling with absurd flourishes throughout.

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Tekken 7 (Namco)

Reviewed on Playstation 4. Available on PC, Xbox One, Playstation 4.

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