Rock solid Tekken returns!
This game goes back to the fast paced action of Tekken 3 and leaves the unpolished weirdness from Tekken 4 behind, never looking back.
The only thing this game is missing is an online component, but that doesn't stop Tekken 5 rocking the PS2 like nobody's business.
This game's a looker. Much like Tekken 3 did for the PSOne, Tekken 5 proves that the PS2 can crank out some gorgeous graphics and keep 'em coming at a fast click. The stages in this game are only rivaled in a fighting game by Soul Calibur III.
I love the soundtrack for this game. It has the pulsing bass of the "swinging van" stage, the techno pop of the poolside stage, and the winter wonderment of the penguin stage. :-D
The character list is up to 29 this time around, as some old favorites return from previous games, such as Wang, Roger, Baek, and Bruce, as well as Ganryu. The three new characters all have their own style as well : new-comers to the series will be enamored by the fast and brutal Feng, and Dead or Alive players will be right at home with Raven. Asuka can dish out some pain as well, and is a preferred veteran character.
The only real-shortfall of this game is its anemic character customization. It takes a lot of game credits to unlock the content, but none of it really looks all that good on the characters. Shoulder-pads for Paul? Eh, I've got them on him, but they still look pretty goofy.
***OVERALL***
As with any fighting game, you really need to have some consistent human competition for this game to be worth getting. For fighting nuts like me though, especially Tekken fans, this game is a must-have regardless. Sure, there's no online, but this is the series' return to form, and it's definitely the best Tekken yet. Now, if only it had tag-team action....
PS
The last boss, Jinpachi, is the cheapest son of a gun since MK 1's Goro. You have been warned.