Metacritic Games

Tekken 4 (Playstation 2)

Tekken 4 marks the return of Namco's premier fighting franchise. Tekken strikes back with new jaw-dropping graphics, game play mechanics, and fearsome fighters. Newcomers engage old favorites in interactive, multi-leveled arenas. New strategies in fighting are introduced with the addition of walls, terrain effects, position changes, and enhanced side-stepping. Expanded game modes such as Training, Team Battle and the new Tekken Force provide the player with a deeper game play experience. [Namco]

Namco
Fighting, Action
Players: 2
T (Teen)
Developer: Namco
Released September 24, 2002

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

79 / 100

Critic Reviews

91 TotalGames.net
For twenty pounds you get arguably the greatest arcade fighting game ever created. That’s half the price of the forthcoming (and similarly but differently remarkable) "Soul Calibur 2."
91 XenGamers
Sure, the great graphics and sound and the bonus Tekken Force mode are all good selling points, but the biggest reason to pick up Tekken 4 is that the gameplay not only lives up to the fine presentation; it surpasses it. [Import]
90 IGN
Mechanically superior and definitely oriented to the expert crowd, Namco's brand of four-limbed combat is comparable to just about anything out there. [Import review previously scored as a 94.]
90 Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
A leaner, more vicious Tekken for a competitive age - surprising how much two new characters add to an already classy game. [Import, PSM2]
90 GamePro
The series could use a bit more depth and original features, but its pedigree as a top-ranked fighter remains intact.
90 Game Informer
This latest edition has not broken [my heart], although my hopes for what it should have been were slightly disappointed. [Oct 2002, p.78]
87 TotalPlayStation
Not as groundbreaking as it should have been. It may be hard to admit, but "Virtua Fighter 4" has taken a giant leap compared to Tekken 4’s bunny hop. But now that Namco has hit the nail on the head when it comes to fighting depth and detail, it is time for change.
85 Electric Playground
There is certainly no danger of Tekken fans, or fight-game fans in general being disappointed by the great, glossy, fast-paced brawler that Tekken 4 is.
85 GamerWeb Sony
Although the improvements are small and some pre-existing flaws were ignored, it’s still a great fighter.
85 GameZone
One of the best multiplayer games you'll find on the PS2. I loved it at the arcade and I love it at home. I just wish it was a new experience.
84 GameSpot
An extremely solid, long-lasting, accessible, and fun-to-play fighting game.
80 Total Video Games
One can’t help but think that Namco slightly rushed the title to get it out in time for "Virtua Fighter 4," the visuals aren’t exactly eye dropping but the gameplay is fast fluid and consistent. [Import]
80 PSX Nation
STILL a force to be reckoned with, it's just not the must have game of the year it has been in the past. Namco needs to focus heavily on "Soul Calibur 2" for a while and let Tekken take a vacation.
80 PSM Magazine
It just seems that there's been little improvement to the overall fighting system and single-player experience. [Oct 2002, p.34]
71 netjak
I have to say that I personally liked this better than "VF4," but they were both a bit disappointing overall.
71 GameSpy
It looks a little better, but underneath the new trappings lies the same old game.
70 Yahoo! Games
A solid update to the series that doesn't really break any new ground, but shouldn't disappoint diehard fans of the Tekken line either.
70 Electronic Gaming Monthly
Feels stale and rehashed. In a lot of ways, this is pretty much the same game we've been playing since 1997, but without the refinement of "Tekken 3" or the added team complexity of "Tekken Tag Tournament." [Oct 2002, p.190]
70 Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Maybe "VF4" spoiled things for us all, but there's no arguing that the bar was raised back in March, and Tekken 4 has failed to jump over it. [Oct 2002, p.144]
70 Thunderbolt
The need for strategy, technical handling, and overall expertise with a character has been but on the backburner in favor of interactive environments and limited space to fight.
60 Play Magazine
The game itself is also showing slight strain: still not a lot of freedom of movement. [Oct 2002, p.85]
60 G4 TV
Fulfills bare minimum expectations of the typical fighting game sequel. It delivers more of the same with slight tweaks in the character roster.
50 GameNow
"VF4" puts it to shame. [Nov 2002, p.58]

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