After the intense events of Tekken 4, where we witnessed a bloody struggle within the Mishima family, Tekken – Dark Resurrection continues this storyline with even more complexity and new threats. Just when it seemed that Heihachi Mishima was finished after the sudden attack from the Jack-4 robots, everyone believed that the leader of the Mishima family had met his end, leaving an open opportunity for a new power struggle. Amid this chaos, Jinpachi Mishima, the founding father of the Mishima family, mysteriously returned to life with terrifying demonic power, announcing the King of Iron Fist Tournament 5, drawing the world’s strongest fighters into a fateful showdown.

This time, the goal was greater than just winning the tournament; it was tied to the fate of the entire world, as Jinpachi’s strength was unlike any previous opponent. However, the conflict was not limited to the family alone. New fighters emerged, such as Sergei Dragunov, the silent Russian soldier with a mysterious past, and Lili Rochefort, the aristocratic girl seeking glory in her own way, alongside the return of Armor King, the masked wrestler. The game was not just a minor update to the previous installment; it was a complete reimagining of the combat system. The fighting speed became smoother, and response to each move was improved, making combat feel more realistic. The Arcade Battle system was also updated with twelve new ranks while one rank, “Vanquisher,” was removed. Moreover, “Tekken Lord” was no longer the highest rank, as two new ranks were introduced: “Dark Lord” followed by the ultimate rank, “Divine Fist.”

As for the fighting mechanics, several refinements were made. Attacks and combos were adjusted for better balance, and the effectiveness of some overpowered moves that gave unfair advantages to certain characters was reduced. Blocking and evasion mechanics were also improved, providing players with more tactical control over their fights. With the introduction of characters like Lili and Dragunov, the game gained a great variety in fighting styles. Lili relies on acrobatic movements and tricks her opponents with evasive strikes, while Dragunov is a fierce fighter who specializes in wrestling and chokeholds. On the other hand, classic characters such as Kazuya Mishima and Paul Phoenix received tweaks to their abilities. Additionally, all 30 characters in the game were capable of transforming into devastating human war machines. While you might initially struggle against top-tier characters like Steve or Bryan, with continuous training, you can face even the strongest opponents using characters like Kuma, Lei, or Xiaoyu.

The game offers multiple competitive modes between players, including Ad Hoc multiplayer, and allows players to face virtual opponents using the innovative Ghost feature, one of the most creative additions in the PSP version. Tekken’s appeal is not limited to multiplayer; it also includes a variety of fun mini-games, such as Tekken Bowling, inspired by the Tekken Tag days, and Gold Rush, where you can earn in-game currency. Additionally, the Dojo mode stands out as an epic experience, allowing players to face opponents of varying skill levels. The Dojo is also the place where many hidden rewards can be unlocked, including items and cinematic cutscenes.

When comparing Dark Resurrection to the base version of Tekken 5, many improvements make the experience even more enjoyable. The graphics have been significantly enhanced, with more detailed character models, improved lighting, and refined backgrounds. The animations have also become more fluid, giving the game a more modern feel compared to the original version. Moreover, attacks have been refined, new characters added, and battle stages improved. While Tekken 5 already had a strong roster of fighters, Dark Resurrection introduced new characters along with updated battle stages featuring dynamic effects, such as breakable floors and environmental interactions. Thanks to these deep combat system enhancements and the addition of new characters, the game redefined the Tekken experience.