Tekken Is Making A Major Mistake With FF16's Clive

The final character for the first season of DLC in Tekken 8 has been announced, and it’s one that’s going to disappoint many. After announcing that a second season was in development, Bandai Namco teased that the final character for Season 1 would be revealed during The Game Awards 2024. During the presentation, the promised trailer revealed that Clive Rosfield, the protagonist from Final Fantasy 16, would be the next DLC character for Tekken 8.

Reaction to the announcement from Tekken and Final Fantasy fans was rather mixed. Guest characters are nothing new to the Tekken franchise, so some form of crossover appearance was all but a certainty going into the show. The problem is, many fans had their hopes up for a very different Final Fantasy character: Tifa from Final Fantasy 7, who remains conspicuously absent in the popular fighting game series.

Tekken Keeps Adding The Wrong Final Fantasy Characters

First Noctis, Now Clive Is Disappointing Fans

Guest characters have been a part of Tekken ever since an obscure manga character named Gon appeared in Tekken 3, but things were taken to a new level in Tekken 7. With Akuma from Street Fighter included at launch, plus Fatal Fury’s Geese Howard and Negan from The Walking Dead added as DLC, Tekken 7 was packed with crossover appeal. That also ended up including Noctis Lucis Caelum, the main character from Final Fantasy 15, who was added to the game in 2018.

While Noctis was undeniably a cool character to see interpreted in a fighting game, his inclusion in Tekken raised more than a few eyebrows. As soon as characters from other franchises were on the table, fans were eager to share their hopes and dreams about who else should make it in, and among the thousands of suggestions, Tifa was one of the most common picks.

Related

Tekken 8 Review: "One Of Gaming's Most Complex & Rewarding Fighters"

Gaming's most intricate fighter has returned with Tekken 8, and while it's made changes for newcomers, it's got a lot to chew on for veteran players.

Bandai Namco is now set to repeat the same mistake again seven years later with the addition of Clive to Tekken 8. Expectations for guest characters in fighting games have only gotten higher, and as the first guest for Tekken 8, Bandai Namco needed to make this one really count. While Clive will almost certainly be a cool character in his own right, Tekken has once again dropped the ball by not opting for the most obvious choice.

Why Tekken Players Want Tifa

A Perfect Fit For The World Of Fighting Games

It should be no real wonder why Tifa is in such demand for a spot on the Tekken roster. Final Fantasy 7 was a revolutionary game for its time, and while all of its characters have become icons in their own right, Tifa holds a special place in the hearts of many. Whether she wooed fans with her charm, her design, or just her utility in battle, Tifa has become a beloved character whose enduring popularity stands the test of time.

Related

Final Fantasy 7: 10 Best Quotes From Tifa

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Tifa Lockhart is the heart and soul of Cloud's party and her various insights and comments are always fun or meaningful.

She’s also a perfect fit for the universe of Tekken as one of the rare RPG characters who fights entirely with her fists. Watching her knock out enemies with punches and kicks, it’s easy to imagine her fitting right into a traditional fighting game – much moreso than sword-wielding characters like Noctis and Clive. She wouldn’t look the slightest bit out of place stepping into the ring against the likes of Heihachi Mishima in Tekken 8.

Now Is The Perfect Time For Tifa In Tekken

Square Enix And Bandai Namco Should Strike While The Iron's Hot

Clive’s inclusion in Tekken 8 is particularly stinging because the timing feels even more perfect to add Tifa now than it did six years ago. Final Fantasy 16 was released in 2023 to very positive reviews and four nominations at that year’s Game Awards. Conversely, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth released in 2024 to overwhelmingly positive reviews and seven nominations at The Game Awards, including Game of the Year.

By every metric, FF7 Rebirth is the game that warrants the cross-promotion the most, and as the most eligible representative of that game, Tifa joining Tekken 8 would be a slam dunk move for everyone involved. With sales figures for FF7 Rebirth being less than stellar according to Square Enix, the game could use a boost in advertising; at the same time, Tekken 8 has sold like hotcakes, but has come under fire for its mismanaged monetization systems. A beloved character like Tifa joining the fray would surely rake in both money and good publicity for both companies.

Crossover content has become a hot commodity in every corner of the gaming market over the last few years, requiring a constant need to up the stakes. In order to remain competitive and keep its player base happy, Tekken 8 needs to add a character that will really get people excited – and Clive is not that character.

Source: Bandai Namco of America/YouTube

Your changes have been saved

9/10

Tekken 8

Tekken 8 is the next installment in the 3D fighting game franchise, initially teased at EVO 2022. Formally revealed at the PlayStation State of Play in September of 2022, The King of the Iron Fist Tournament returns with several classic characters returning, as well as a brand new fleshed-out single-player mode.

Platform(s) PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released January 26, 2024

Developer(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment , Arika

Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment

Multiplayer Local Multiplayer , Online Multiplayer

Engine Unreal Engine 5

Platforms That Support Crossplay PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X|S

ESRB t