Now in its 23rd year, the latest episode in Namco’s 3D fighting series feels like a celebration of Tekken’s rich history. The story mode retells the whole Mishima bloodline saga; beautiful cut scenes flow seamlessly into battles. It’s hardly essential, but is easily the best in the series’ sketchy history of single-player modes. There are 37 characters, with the most striking new face being that of Street Fighter’s raging demon, Akuma, complete with EX bar and combos straight from Capcom’s game. There are also the most drastic changes to mechanics in the series’ history, including power crushes (armoured moves that absorb attacks), rage drives (powered-up modified moves) and rage arts (showboating super combos). These, when paired with the new slow-motion effect that kicks in for the final tense exchanges of battle, add up to the most dramatic combat Namco has ever produced. Far and away the best game in the series.