NEWS
2024.12.15
CONSOLE
[TEKKEN 8] Director Introduces Clive’s Gameplay Highlights
Clive Rosfield joins TEKKEN 8 from FINAL FANTASY XVI!
Clive Rosfield—firstborn son of the Archduke of Rosaria and Dominant of Fire—has spent the past five years wielding the power of the Eikon, Ifrit, to help his people break free from the bonds of fate and learn to live on their own terms. However, as the final battle looms near, he is overwhelmed by an unknown force and falls into a deep stupor.
It is some time later that Clive, stirred by the cries of his loyal hound, Torgal, awakens to discover his surroundings are strangely unfamiliar. Realizing he has been borne far from his own realm of Valisthea, he begins the search for a way back home.
“Wait for me Joshua… Jill…”
Eikonic Abilities ” featuring reimagined techniques from the original, such as Ifrit and the Phoenix
When TEKKEN collaborates with other titles, we prioritize bringing the partner characters into the game in their ‘best form’ out of respect for them. For this collaboration, we decided to include all of Clive’s Eikonic Abilities from FINAL FANTASY XVI. Players can unleash a variety of techniques inspired by Eikons, such as closing the distance with Phoenix Shift, executing rush attacks with Ifrit’s power, hovering with Wings of Light, and countering enemy attacks using a Titanic Counter. Each move captures the essence of Eikons and brings their unique abilities into the action.
Some techniques are quite technical. For example, landing Odin’s attacks increases the number displayed at the bottom of the health gauge, eventually allowing you to unleash the powerful Zantetsuken. Additionally, Leviathan, which had a perfect-reload mechanic in the original game, now features an advanced skill where pressing a button with precise timing enhances your attacks, making it a bit more challenging for experienced players.
As for hand-to-hand combat, many of the movements didn’t exist in the original game, so we went through a lot of trial and error. Designing punches and kicks in the style of a martial artist often risks aligning them too closely with a specific fighting style. Instead, we focused on ‘moves Clive would use,’ emphasizing a raw and unrefined quality in his attack motions and follow-throughs. For instance, the ‘Mercenary Cut,’ which transitions from a kick into an upward slash, reflects the image of a rough technique befitting Clive as a mercenary rather than a knight.
While incorporating numerous elements, we aimed to achieve accessibility and enjoyment that fans of both works can appreciate.
FINAL FANTASY XVI was designed to allow players to perform a variety of attacks with simple controls, making it accessible to a wide audience. We’ve kept that ease of play in mind for this title as well, enabling players to execute full combos just by repeatedly pressing buttons. Switching to the Special Style further simplifies controls, ensuring that even those unfamiliar with fighting games can enjoy exhilarating battles with ease.
Phoenix Shift can transition from various moves, allowing players to follow up with attacks like Rising Flames, closely capturing the feel of the original game. In some moves, Clive’s loyal wolf companion, Torgal, appears to provide support. As for the Heat state, it recreates the power-up effect of Limit Break from the original. During this time, Torgal transforms into his Fenrir form, adding an extra layer of impact to the gameplay.
Outside of battles, there are some fun little interactions to discover, such as King being mistaken for a coeurl (a monster) due to his appearance, or Sugar and Torgal—Leroy’s and Clive’s companions—crossing paths. Be sure to keep an eye out for these playful touches!
Preserving the original design while adapting it seamlessly into the world of TEKKEN.
Square Enix requested that Clive’s appearance be refined so he would look natural standing alongside characters like Jin and Kazuya in the TEKKEN universe. To achieve this, we adjusted the silhouette of his original 3D model, including the proportions of his legs and upper body, ensuring he could hold his own visually against the more robust fighters. While we made these adjustments to his physique, we preserved his stylish elements, striking a balance that even FINAL FANTASY XVI producer Naoki Yoshida approved. We’re confident that fans of the original game will be satisfied with the result.
The main difference from the original is the sword Clive wields. When we fully replicated the original design, its reach became significantly long, so we shortened it to maintain balance as a fighting game. Additionally, in terms of costumes, you can choose not only the default outfit but also the mercenary outfit from his time with the Sanbreque military, as well as the Burnt Black costume added in the original through updates. Each has been crafted with meticulous attention to detail, so don’t miss them!
The new stage, PHOENIX GATE, is packed with stunning effects that elevate the intensity of battles even further.
The battle stage PHOENIX GATE, introduced alongside Clive, is filled with meticulous details. Before the fight begins, you’ll witness an Eikonic Battle between Ifrit and Phoenix. Additionally, when you slam your opponent against a wall, Phoenix triggers a follow-up attack. The fight starts in a castle, but as rounds progress, it transitions to the iconic location where Clive awakened in FINAL FANTASY XVI. The stage’s BGM sets the mood perfectly, with ‘Away’ playing in the first half and ‘Find the Flame’ in the second half, creating an adrenaline-pumping experience.
Another standout feature is that if Clive wins the final round using his Rage Art, a special animation plays, accompanied by the iconic fanfare familiar to fans of FINAL FANTASY XVI and the FINAL FANTASY series as a whole. It’s a thrilling touch designed to amplify the excitement, so don’t miss it!
While we’ve paid great attention to faithfully recreating Clive, he’s also fully compatible with the TEKKEN series’ signature Character Customization. You can dress him in various outfits, adjust colors, and create your own unique take on the character(*). Additionally, alongside Clive’s release, the Photo Mode will receive enhancements, allowing you to tweak expressions and hand poses. This means you can enjoy not just battles but also character coordination and capturing your favorite moments in style.
We hope fans of the original game will take the opportunity to play as Clive in TEKKEN 8. This collaboration was developed with meticulous attention to detail by the TEKKEN Project team, with full support from the FINAL FANTASY XVI team. We’re thrilled to bring you this crossover and can’t wait for you to experience it firsthand!
*Please note that some parts of the character cannot be customized. For more details, please check the product page on Platform store.
■ Check out the video for more details about Clive!
A special dev diary video featuring the development teams of TEKKEN 8 and FINAL FANTASY XVI is now available!
TEKKEN 8 x FINAL FANTASY XVI Dev Talk -Round 1-
https://youtu.be/342Fq2GoETc
TEKKEN 8 x FINAL FANTASY XVI Dev Talk -Round 2-
https://youtu.be/XTXh3QooAEQ
TEKKEN 8 x FINAL FANTASY XVI Dev Talk -Round 3-
https://youtu.be/qtNL2qImc6A
●TEKKEN 8 Offcial Site
https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/tekken/tekken-8