Joystiq hands-on: Tekken: Dark Resurrection
by Joystiq Staff 
{ Jun 18th 2006 at 10:15PM }
Tekken has long been the quintessential exclusive title for Sony. Once announced for the Sony PlayStation Portable, fanboy hearts went all aflutter at the possibility of their longtime favorite fighting franchise making its way to the games-starved handheld. Last week, I was able to sit down and get some quality time with Tekken: Dark Resurrection and see just for myself if this would indeed be the sure-fire hit gamers and Namco would obviously think it'd be once it hits store shelves this summer.One of the big problems I've had with the PSP are the agonizing load times for most of its games. So, whenever reviewing or seeing a PSP game for the first time, I always take a special mental note of a certain title's loading time. Whether or not because the copy I tried was in development, I was shocked at the absence of any noticeable delays.
The game snapped quickly between character selection and actual fighting. It all added something that definitely stood out and at least one factor I hope will remain with the game upon its release. My comments and questions to Namco about the loading times on the final version went unanswered, with little more than a smirk in response.
Now, on to the actual gameplay. Tekken for the PSP is pretty much everything you'd expect. The controls were responsive and besides being in my hands, there was no real noticeable difference between this version and its PS2 cousins.One of the new additions in Resurrection is the introduction of two new characters -- Lili and Dragunov. Of course, all the old favorites are there as well -- Jin, Heihachi, Paul and Law are all at your disposal. If you don't feel like fighting, then the game also offers up mini-games like bowling to allow players to take a break from the button-mashing pound fest of the battle arenas.
As far as how the game looked, the graphics were beautiful. If there's one thing the PSP always has going for it, it's how it can make just about anything look good. Like recent Tekken titles, this game has an abundance of eye candy packed into 19 beautifully-rendered stages.And because it is on the PSP, the Wi-Fi capabilities will be in full bloom allowing players to take on each other and test their Tekken skills for the first time with people not in the same room. As you fight through the game, you can collect what is called fight money. This money is used to fully customize your characters which in turn can be taken to your multiplayer battles.
Shipping sometime later this summer, Tekken is poised to be yet another strong title to be added to the PSP arsenal. That is, unless they do their best to really screw this one up.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Simon @ Jun 18th 2006 10:19PM
I have a special place in my heart for Tekken Tag Tournament on PS2. Whilst it may lack the tag-team element, I'll certainly be picking this up when it comes around; wi-fi multiplayer should be great fun. Now, if they brought Soul Calibur to PSP...
Chris Clark @ Jun 18th 2006 10:25PM
I'm confused...In the beginning of the article you say that the PSP is "games-starved" but towards the end you project Tekken to be "yet another strong title to be added to the PSP arsenal".
Regardless, I think that this game is going to be great. Did I read correctly that this is going to have online multiplayer as well as great graphics and gameplay? Maybe they were just rumors, but I thought one of the major gripes of this game was that it was only going to have ad-hoc.
And for the record, I think the PSP gets a bad rap for games. It was a little light on games in the beginning, but there's a lot of great games coming out for it now.
SJ @ Jun 18th 2006 10:48PM
Somehow all the Tekken and Soul Calibur games have short load times. Perhaps Namco knows something other developers don't.
I don't think there is going to be any online play...which is a real bummer, since this could become an instant classic and the first Tekken to go online. Get with the times Namco!
Sabre @ Jun 18th 2006 10:53PM
Correct me if I am wrong but didn't already say that it WOULDN'T have true Wifi? (i.e. not being able to use infrastructure mode to play anyone anywhere...a'la MKDS for example.)
...and I still hate that new Namco Bandai logo. First Konami ruined their original logo and now Namco. wth?
Sabre @ Jun 18th 2006 10:54PM
"but there's a lot of great games coming out for it now."
...too little...too late...and I own a PSP. I'm seriously considering selling it to use towards buying the Wii and PS3 later this year.
Kris Aubuchon @ Jun 18th 2006 11:07PM
Yeah, can you guys confirm the wifi thing? I didn't think it was supposed to be true real-time wifi play - I heard it was supposed to be a "ghost figther" feature - where a downloadable "ghost" fights with the style it learned from your playing.
striderhayasa @ Jun 18th 2006 11:16PM
@ sabre
How much you selling that PSP for? Is there anything wrong with it? Dropped? kicked? stepped on?
I'm glad Namco decided to bring Tekken to the PSP but I was kinda hoping for Soul Caliber.
Robert Summa @ Jun 18th 2006 11:25PM
I asked the Namco reps specifically, a few times, about the multiplayer, and he said, you can play anyone, not just ad hoc. The other press guy with me even mentioned that, "hey, this is the first time a Tekken game can be played online!" And the Namco rep said, "Yeah, I think that's right."
The rep even brought up how they still weren't sure how leaderboards were gonna be set up -- suggesting, of course, that there will be online multiplayer and not just ad hoc.
Sabre @ Jun 18th 2006 11:37PM
Hmmm...considering that the reps didn't really seem to know 100% what the game was going to have (which was kinda pathetic) I'll wait until it's reviewed by IGN or GameSpy.
@ Strider:
Haha...don't get your hopes up man. I'm not selling it yet. I still want to play the few games I do have some more before I sell it. But it is in great shape (had it since launch) and I own 7 games.
darryl @ Jun 18th 2006 11:56PM
@Sabre
If you change your mind, and it's in good shape - Let me know, I'll buy it... What firmware version are you running?
Sabre @ Jun 19th 2006 12:01AM
The latest...which is 2.71 if I remember correctly.
LongshotX @ Jun 19th 2006 1:24AM
Do you have to be in close proximity like with the DS to play games online? How does it work?
Darth Pixel @ Jun 19th 2006 2:15AM
Those graphics make me wonder whether I bought the wrong system.
Sabre @ Jun 19th 2006 3:33AM
Don't be sucked in by the graphics. Sure the Tekken games are fun (my personal favorite righting game as a matter of fact)...but the PSP itself is seriously lacking in some standout titles that have staying power (something the DS isn't lacking.)
Jay @ Jun 19th 2006 3:56AM
"another strong title"
... I don't think we're playing the same PSP.
Version 1.0 @ Jun 19th 2006 5:11AM
What about the directional arrows?! I heard there an 'add-on' where you put over the current PSP directional buttons... Is this true?
Drew @ Jun 19th 2006 7:44AM
Yeah... another strong title eh?
I'm seriously trying to stop my self from selling my PSP but I can't see anything to justify keeping it. Including this Tekken game. I like the series but I'm not a hardcore Tekken fan. Depending on how it does in reviews I may pick it up. Oh and is it going to cost me 40 dollars to play this game.
DG @ Jun 19th 2006 8:33AM
I wonder if it will have real-time weapon change.
Evilsmevil @ Jun 19th 2006 8:45AM
With regards to the loading times they will be slower than that in the final release.
Sony doesnt let developers burn their own UMD's (for fear of piracy) so they run everything off the memory stick. A memory sticks transfer speed is about 20Mbps I couldnt find the transfer rate for a UMD (its not even on wikipedia!) but siffice to say its significantly slower. This increases load times
striderhayasa @ Jun 19th 2006 8:59AM
thanks sabre. I feel the same way about the PSP. The games don't have staying power but, I've always been a big Wipeout fan and Lumines is really good. I think Metal Gear acid is a sleeper hit. Burnout is nice too. Those are the only four games I really want to play on PSP. I hate that D pad so Street Fighter and DarkStalkers are out. I just want to get one at some point for those select games that are really good.
Even though I play Tekken from time to time, Like I mentioned, I like Soul Caliber better but Virtual Fighter is my favorite 3D fighter bar none. With that said, Tekken would never make me buy a new console or portable.
Silver R. Wolfe @ Jun 19th 2006 11:18AM
The PSP is having a slow start, but developers are finally starting to take advantage of its hardware and are treating it like a portable handheld, not just another PS2. Siphon Filter and Daxter both had wonderfull short load times, and there is no reason why a simple fighting game like Tekken should be any different, especially when you factor in the graphical prowess of the aforementioned titles.
To the people thinking about selling, look at the recent trends in the game releases. They've only been getting better as of recently. Wouldn't it suck to sell it, only to have a hot, must-have title get released on it? (Possibly Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops?)
with the graphical power of this handheld, it still has alot of potential life left in it.
Sabre @ Jun 19th 2006 1:54PM
@ Silver:
True Syphon Filter and Daxter (which I LOVED) are more original games and shorter loads...but they are STILL PS2 games. Other then offering "almost" a PS2 as a portable, it has nothing really else to set it apart.
"Better games" is a matter of opinion b/c based on what I saw at E3 when I was there, the only games that caught my attention were Ace Combat and Ratchet & Clank (and maybe MGS.)
A portable system is supposed to have a good balance of graphical capabilities and battery life. The PSP battery life is pathetic. Don't tell me that 4-8 hours is "fine" b/c it's not. 8-10 hours on the DS...now thats more like it. The games look fine, they're original AND they are fun.
Silver R. Wolfe @ Jun 19th 2006 7:24PM
4-8 hours is fine by me. I'm not a play video games wherever I go type of person and even when I do play alot, I have a car charger for the thing which keeps me fueled up wherever I want to go.
I don't understand how you can call them 'still PS2' games (Daxter and SF:DM), when they're not ported from the PS2 and are specifically designed with the PSP in mind. With that train of thinking it would be safe to say that Mariokart DS, Animal Crossing, New Super Mario Bros., and Metroid Hunters (all big name DS games) are simply N64/GC games. Yes, some of them take advantage of the stylus, but they are all directly tied to other franchises on Nintendo's earlier console. The only real revamp is the new control scheme.
Having almost a PS2 portable is what the system sought to do originally. Even its name ties to that. And as you said, more titles are still coming. Ace Combat, Loco Roco, MGS:PO, R&C, Gitaroo Man (direct port btw), Traxion, etc...
Sabre @ Jun 19th 2006 9:15PM
Ummm...I know that Daxter & SF:DM were original games but MOST of the titles that are supposed to 'make' poeple want to buy the $200+ system are PS2 games. I should know...I have a PSP and based on what I saw and PLAYED at E3 this year, their 'big' titles were basically PS2 ports.
Now tell me where spending $250 for the system plus $40+ for games to play games that can be done on a $129 system and cost from $30-50. I'm starting to regret buying a PSP despite it having some of my favorite games on it.
As for the battery thing...the whole point of a portable is to not worry if your battery is going to die after a 4 hours. There is a reason WHY all the Ninendo portables never rivaled the consoles in power...battery power wasn't good enough.