Review: Tekken 5
Can you believe that my last review of a Tekken game was all the way back in 2021? It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago, but it was. In that review, I shared my thoughts on the fourth entry in the Tekken fighter series. So, as you might expect, today I’m going to be talking about Tekken 5. Like most games in the Tekken series, Tekken 5 started out as an arcade title. In 2005, a year after the arcade release, a home console version was released exclusively on the Playstation 2 and featured a single player story mode and local multiplayer. Over the next year and a half, the arcade version of the game received several updates. These updates included balancing fixes, improved graphics and even additional playable characters. This updated version of the game was the inspiration for the 2006 Playstation Portable title, Tekken: Dark Resurrection. This game attempted to merge the original Tekken 5 home release with the updates made to the arcade version. However, due to the PSP handheld’s lack of power, the graphics were scaled down significantly in this port. Finally, a true port of the updated arcade version was made available in 2007 for the Playstation 3 under the name Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection. This version featured all of the graphical improvements and additional characters. It also featured online multiplayer. However, it’s important to note that this release of Tekken 5 completely removes the Story Mode found in the previous home releases of the game. All of this can make deciding which version of the game to play rather confusing. At the time of this writing, the original PS2 version has never been released digitally. The PS3 version is technically still available, but only for players with a working PS3 console. However, just last month, an updated version of the PSP release was made available on the Playstation Network for both PS4 and PS5. So, when deciding which version is best for you, it boils down to this: do you want to multiplayer or do you want story content? If multiplayer is your goal, the PS3 version is the way to go. This version features the best graphics and online multiplayer (that’s still surprisingly active). On the other hand, if you want to see the Story Mode cutscenes, the PS 4/5 release of Dark Resurrection is probably your best bet. For this review, I dabbled with all three releases, but it was the recent PS5 port of Dark Resurrection that I played through to completion. Before continuing, I should also note that there are other important differences between the various releases as well. For example, the original PS2 version of the game also included the original arcade releases of the first three games in the series. It also features a playable mode called “Devil Within” (this mode is essentially the third installment of the Tekken Force story that was found in Tekken 3 and Tekken 4). Meanwhile, the PSP release includes the mini game, Tekken Dojo (which allows players to fight virtual versions of other players), Tekken Bowl, Command Attack, and a new Gold Rush mode. Sadly, there is not, and probably never will be a definitive version of Tekken 5 that includes all of the various updates and game modes rolled into one package.
The story for this game starts immediately after the end of Tekken 4 and assumes that Jin’s Tekken 4 ending is canon. This review assumes that you are familiar with the Tekken storyline up to this point. If not, you may want to go back and read my reviews for the other games in this series before continuing. After the end of the previous game, Heihachi and his son Kazuya are attacked by a swarm of Jack robots. These robots subdue Heihachi and detonate an explosive. Kazuya escapes, believing that his father died in the attack. With the Mishima Zaibatsu corporation seemingly without a leader, it comes to the surprise of everyone when the corporation announces the fifth King of Iron Fist Tournament. As expected, a number of the usual contestants sign up. As the game progresses, it is revealed that the new leader of Mishima Zaibatsu is none other than Jinpachi Mishima – father of Heihachi! Having been resurrected from the dead by demonic forces, Jinpachi stands as the ultimate fighter to beat in order to win the tournament. Tekken 5 features the largest roster of playable characters in the series so far. The roster contains the following returning characters; Anna, Baek, Bruce, Bryan, Christie, Marduk, Eddy, Ganryu, Gun Jack, Heihachi, Hwoarang, Jin, Julia, Kazuya, King II, Kuma II, Lee, Lai, Ling, Law, Mokujin, Nina, Panda, Paul, Steve, True Ogre, Wang, and Yoshimitsu. The following characters are new additions to the series: Feng Wei – A mysterious martial arts student who has entered the tournament hoping to learn more about his unique fighting style. Asuka – A young student who enters the tournament to avenge her father who was injured by Feng Wei. Raven – A ninja who has been tasked with confirming the fate of Heihachi. Jack 5 – The latest model of the Jack android. The following new characters are initially locked-out of the starting roster, but can be unlocked as playable characters: Devil Jin – The fiendish form of Jin Kazama Roger Jr – The son of the kangaroo fighter, Roger. Together with his mother they have entered the tournament in hopes of rescuing their father. In addition to the characters listed above, Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection also introduces three more characters to the roster: Armor King II – Long thought to be dead, Armor King II is believed to be the former mentor to King II. He has entered the tournament with the goal to defeat Marduk. Lili de Rochefort – An ambitious girl who plans to take down the entire Mishima Zaibatsu to rescue her father from the debt he owes to the corporation. Sergi – A Russian special forces agent sent to capture Jin. Finally, in the PS3 release of the Dark Resurrection, once Arcade Mode has been completed, Jinpachi also becomes a playable character.
If you’ve played the other games in the series, one of the first things you’ll notice about Tekken 5 is how it pares down some of the more advanced combat mechanics that were found in Tekken 3 and Tekken 4. The combat is this game is much simpler and is very reminiscent to the style found in the first game. Tekken 5 also introduces the concept of “crushing”. This means that certain attacks will result in the player being invulnerable against specific blows while the attack animation is still being displayed. To explain that in a clearer way, take a jump kick for example. While the jump kick is in the process of being executed, the character performing the kick might be completely invulnerable to any “low” enemy attacks, but not to any “high” attacks. These “crushes” vary depending on the move being executed as well as the character performing the move. A big part of the gameplay is learning the various ins and outs of this system and knowing what attacks to use against a player depending on what type of attack they are using against you. Another cool addition in Tekken 5 is the concept of player ranks. All players start out with the rank of “Beginner”. However, as you defeat more opponents, your rank rises. Depending on the version of Tekken 5 you are playing, some ranks are locked behind mini-games, encouraging players to dive in all of the extras featured in the game. The same is true for the new character customization system. Characters can wear a variety of outfits. The majority of these are unlocked by earning in-game currency from defeating opponents. However, some of the rarest costumes are also unlocked through mini-game completion. As you can see from the details above, Tekken 5 was designed to be the biggest and most exciting entry in the franchise. The original PS2 release featured everything from the original arcade release, alongside a slew of console-exclusive extras. The PSP release of Dark Resurrection mainly continued this promise, but did muddy the waters a bit by cutting out some of the original game modes and downgrading the graphics. Despite this, I find the PSP version (and its PS4/5 ports) to be the best all around Tekken 5 experience for those who enjoy single player action. However, the absence of even local multiplayer capabilities is almost unforgiving. It’s unlikely that we will ever see a port of the PS3 version, so for most fans, Tekken 5 will sadly go down as a fractured experience, with fans having to choose one version over the other. For what it’s worth, I enjoyed my time with the PS5 version of the game even despite its flaws. I found the gameplay to be some of the most accessible in the series thus far, and the wide option of characters captured my attention in a way that the last few games weren’t able to manage. With all of this in mind, I really look forward to seeing what future entries in the series have in store.
Version Reviewed: PS5
Difficulty: Variable – Like previous games in the series, the single player versions of Tekken 5 allow the player to select a level of difficulty. Options include Easy, Medium, Hard, Very Hard and Ultra Hard. In this entry, the difficulty levels are accurately named, with the difficulty slowly ramping up over time. Selecting the Easy setting should allow even rookie players to make it a good bit of the way through the game. Playing on Hard is, as expected, a pretty tough experience. But it is still very do-able for veterans of the series. The Medium setting is the default and the setting that I recommend for majority of players. In those versions of the game that let you play against other players, the challenge will vary depending on the skill of the other player.
Multiplayer: Local (PS2 and PSP), Online (PS3), None (PS 4/5)
Story: The tradition of having a unique story for each character continues in Tekken 5. Although, I will admit the majority of these backstories are extremely weak. The main scenario behind the game itself is solid and interesting, as always.
Originality: I think NAMCO felt that some of the recent games in the series caused the original vision of the Tekken to drift a little too far off course. Thus, this game was made as an attempt to correct that problem. With that in mind, I feel their plan was successful. But aside from a few novel mechanics (costumes, the crush system, etc), the arcade fighter format largely remains untouched in this game.
Soundtrack: Tekken 5 features some quality voice acting and music. At this point the soundtrack is about what you’d expect from a game of this type. But overall, it’s fitting and feels right.
Fun: Like most fighting games, Tekken 5 is best played with others. That’s why the only version of the game that’s readily available today seems like such an odd choice. The PS 4/5 release only offers a single player experience. For an arcade fighter, that’s complete blasphemy! But even so, the game still includes plenty to do for players willing to give it some time. In a trade off, the PS3 version does feature multiplayer, but it’s a very stripped down version of the game – essentially mirroring the arcade experience.
Graphics: The PS3 version of the game is by far the best looking version and it stands up even today. But no matter what version you’re playing, the graphics hold up when compared to similar games of the era.
Playcontrol: Regardless of the version you play, the playcontrol and responsiveness are solid. The devs did a great job restoring the fast-paced and fluid feeling that the earlier Tekken games mastered. That said, the PS3 version seems to be the best of the Tekken 5 crop in this regard.
Downloadable Content: Yes – The PSP version featured free downloadable player profiles to use in Tekken Dojo. But this is absent from all other versions.
Mature Content: Fighting violence, blood.
Value: For those looking to purchase Dark Resurrection on PS 4/5, the cost sits at $10. The PS3 version with online functionality is $15. Overall, I’d say these prices are fair but it’s still a little difficult to recommend paying this much for a game this old when each of the version available seem to be lacking so much functionality. Used copies of the PS2 version routinely sell for anywhere between $20-$30. I suppose if you’re a huge fan of the series, these prices are probably worth it. But casual fans or players new to the series may be better served by looking at one of the more modern entries in the series.
Overall score (1-100): 80 – Tekken 5, regardless of version is a solid fighting game. At the time the original version was released, it had everything that fans could want. Sadly, future updates to the game feel fragmented and lead to confusion among casual fans. Still, for what it is, Tekken 5 is an excellent game no matter what version you can manage to get your hands on.
Original System: Arcade, PS2
Available today on: PS 4/5 – (Updated as of Spring 2022) Best Experience: PS 3 – (Updated as of Spring 2022)
Other Reviews In This Series:
Tekken – Tekken 2 – Tekken 3 – Tekken 4 – Tekken 5 – Tekken 6 – Tekken 7 – Tekken 8
Tekken Tag Tournament – Tekken Tag Tournament 2
