If you’re a fighting game fan then, Tekken 7 is absolutely essential in my book. Sure, it doesn’t offer the same value for money as the recently released Injustice 2, but the combat feels better. It’s more technical and has a greater flow. If you’re a fan of the series, Tekken 7 will blow your bloody socks off. And if not, well, it’s still likely to impress if you give it the chance.

I applaud the series for continuing an overall narrative, and the surprise characters and reveals were quite exciting for its story mode. Tekken 7 is not only a return for the series to the forefront, but a great addition to the genre as a whole. It tries new things and succeeds in almost every way, and even though I’m not the biggest fighting fan these days, as I’ve retired my fight sticks, I’m still quite enjoying my time with Tekken 7, in lengthy or short bursts. Even my 4 year old really enjoyed playing, being able to put together a few combos by button mashing, but more importantly, dressing up the characters quite silly to her liking. There’s lots to do for series veterans to learn but is also a great entry point for newcomers to the series. Tekken 7 is back and shouldn’t be missed, regardless of your skill level.

Tekken 7 is not the most complete game of the series, but it is a fantastic game that will provide many hours of fun for the fans, and probably have the best story mode of the franchise. A must-have game for all players who love this genre.

Its diverse roster is packed with a wide range of personalities and fighting styles, bolstered by a raucous attitude that begs to be taken seriously while simultaneously mocking its more peculiar whims in the process. Tekken fans will find their next favorite game--one that's the product of decade's worth of refinement. And while some of this depth will be lost or out of reach for newcomers, there's enough fun to be had outside of hardcore competition to keep players from all walks of gaming thoroughly entertained.

While Tekken 7 has a few problems, the positives certainly outweigh the negatives. It's a series known not for its highly engaging story, but rather its vibrant and colourful, yet complex gameplay. With the addition of Rage Arts, fights look even better and feel fluid in the process. Witnessing this in all modes, especially the online tournaments, is a treat and hitting the Gallery for some nostalgic downtime stops the gameplay from becoming too stale. We may be missing a few of the series' beloved characters and load times may hinder it slightly, but one thing is certain — Tekken is still an addictive fighting franchise that definitely deserves its place in 2017.

Tekken 7 feels like the return for the series. After some bumps in the PS2 and PS3 era this series really feels like it is regaining its footing. There is a lot of content here for casuals and solo players, and the hardcore will love the under-the-hood changes. There is something for everyone, which most fighting games fail to capitalize on. If you have been out of the Tekken game for a while, it is finally time to return.

Offline, everything in Tekken’s garden is rosy, but online it looks like someone has been at it with the weedkiller.