by Mark Julio aka MarkMan
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection was released earlier this year in arcades as a followup to the previous year’s smash hit, Tekken 5. It was to great suprise(and maybe dissapointment? Explaination later.) that shortly after, Namco announced the title as an upcoming title for the PlayStation Portable handheld system.
Being very familiar with the arcade version of Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, I followed the progress of the PSP version very closely. First playing the build available at E3, playing countless hours on the Japanese version, and then finally getting my hands on the US version, I can honestly say this game is as faithful to the arcade version as possible. There are a few things here and there, but as a Tekken fan I am happy that we have the game available in one way or another that we can play at home or even on the go.
A fighting game on the go. As a big supporter of fighting games and competitive play I was a bit dissapointed that DR was coming out on the PSP. I had my doubts regarding the move towards the handheld. The usual core of enjoyment and replay value from fighting games is mostly from playing against other people, so it felt a little odd that Tekken fans would be restricted to having to own a PSP and finding someone else who owns a PSP just to be able to get that same feeling out of the game. Thankfully Namco implemented some very cool features that definately make DR in every way possible.
First off there is a game sharing feature. With just 1 copy of the game, two people(each with their own PSP) can play VS matches of DR(although with reasonably longer load times and limited options). It’s a cool feature that you can use when you have a bunch of friends that want to play, but don’t own the game. It’s a feature that more PSP games need to start using. The game sharing battles are definately fun, with minimal lag and then there’s just something special about holding a PSP and playing a game like DR. It’s like ‘WOW, technology is crazy.’ At least that’s how I felt all the times I’ve played it with groups of friends.
When playing with 2 copies of the game, the load times are not as long and although there is some slowdown, the game plays much better than gamesharing. Allowing for a more accurate and less sluggish fight.
That’s not the only thing though that DR on the PSP has going for it. Namco also borrowed the ghost system from the arcade version. The way ghosts are used in DR is very simple. The CPU records moves that you use, movement, and even the juggles/combos that you use to form your ghost. This all comes naturally as you’re playing the game in one of it’s many modes. There is a ghost record/update option that will constantly update your playstyle. What’s the point of all this you ask? Its the Tekken Network. Using the online network features you can upload your ghost data online or to other PSPs and have people play against your ghost! Alternatively you can download ghosts from other players and square off against them. There are even sites such as Tekken Zaibatsu, that already has a ghost library where you can upload and download ghost files from Tekken players all over the world!
Now back to the main game. Tekken: Dark Resurrection has seen many changes from the PS2 version of Tekken 5. There have been over 1000 gameplay tweaks and the roster now features a staggering 34 playable characters. 3 of which are new to DR.
Lili, short for Emily, is the daughter of a rich man who is trying to win the 5th Iron Fist tournament and defeat the Mishima Zaibatsu to help her father’s company.
Dragunov who works for a secret organization based outside of Russia, uses his Sambo style fighting and enters the King of Iron Fist Tournament 5 with a mysterious agenda.
And finally returning character Armor King. No one knows why he’s back, but he is. Much different from King tihs time around, he has all new moves that really show off his own style.
Rounding out the rest of the cast we have:
Eddy Gordo
Baek Do San
Mokujin
Devil Jin
Raven
Asuka Kazama
Feng Wei
Ganryu
Wang Jinrei
Armor King
Anna Williams
Craig Marduk
Marshall Law
Hwoarang
King
Lili
Dragunov
Heihachi Mishima
Christie Monteiro
Paul Phoenix
Jack-5
Bruce Irvin
Roger Jr.
Lei Wulong
Nina Williams
Steve Fox
Kazuya Mishima
Ling Xiaoyu
Jin Kazama
Lee Chaolan
Julia Chang
Yoshimitsu
Bryan Fury
Kuma/Panda
That’s a ton of stuff. It’s amazing how it’s all packed on 1 UMD. DR even has new CG endings for each of the new characters and all of the original CG endings from Tekken 5(PS2). There are however a TON of new cut scenes. Example, playing through with Devil Jin, at stage 8 you fight Asuka instead and have a nice lil’ cut scene with her before another new cutscene with Jinpachi.
The graphics are amazing and on point. The best seen yet on the PSP. As in previous Tekken titles, the game runs at a solid 60 frames per second, just like it’s arcade counterpart(Cut scenes during story mode and pre fight animations and round ending animations/win poses seem to be displayed at 30 FPS).
DR is a great fighter that anyone can pick up and start playing. There is a tutorial mode when you first boot up the game. It teaches you movement/sidestepping/and basics of gameplay pretty much. That was a good move by Namco to help cater towards people that have never played this title before.
Tekken Dojo mode is something new to the series. In this mode is much like the quest mode on Virtua Fighter 4 EVOLUTION. You travel from region to region in Japan and challenge ghosts modeled after actual Japanese players. There are actually some real big name players in the Tekken Dojo mode.
I urge everyone to play/learn from Tekken Dojo mode. At the higher levels(at least from the JPN version) the AI actually does GOOD combos that you can learn from.
From time to time as you win tournaments and league matches, you’ll be prompted with a new challenge. Each challenge helps you earn G$ and also earn items that you can outfit your character with. You also gain ranks much like Arcade mode on Tekken 5 for the PSP. There are much more ranks this time around. They have the usual ones from T5, but here’s a full list of ones in DR so you can get an idea of how much more playability the game will add:
Beginner – Yellow
9th kyu – Red
8th kyu – Red
7th kyu – Red
6th kyu – Red
5th kyu – Red
4th kyu – Red
3rd kyu – Red
2nd kyu – Red
1st kyu – Red
1st dan – Gray
2nd dan – Gray
3rd dan – Gray
4th dan – Gray
5th dan – Gray
6th dan – Gray
7th dan – Gray
Shihan – Gray
Expert – Gray
Warrior – Gray
Master – Gray
Virtuoso – Gray
Champion – Gray
Lone Wolf – Green
Destroyer – Green
Berserker – Green
Sage – Green
Legend – Green
Fujin – Blue
Raijin – Blue
Deity – Blue
Lord of War – Blue
Dragon Lord – Orange
Tekken Lord – Orange
Tekken Lord Black – Red
Fist God – Red
My biggest gripe about DR? It’s not out on PS2. But that’s not this game’s fault. Another gripe? The controls. It’s just so hard to hit the diagonals. The good people at Namco made a dpad add on that you stick on the PSP dpad to help with the controls. It’s currently available if you preorder the game at GameStop stores. So in the end, I have nothing bad to say about Tekken: Dark Resurrection. It is in my opinion, the FIRST of many, MUST have games for the PSP.
Originally reviewed on VGO Network in July 2006
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