As the latest entry in a series which has built its legacy on featuring a diverse blend of characters, Tekken 8 has no doubt honored this tradition through a cast of mostly returning fighters from both old and new eras. While the Mishima family conflict at the forefront of the franchise has been a mainstay alongside the consistent introduction of fresh faces over the years, not all of those more recent additions have had the same staying power as the more core roster. DLC releases have assuaged some concerns regarding the initial lineup of Tekken 8, but the lack of one particular fighter’s return has raised pressing questions about the direction of the series’ overall story and regard for continuity as a whole.
First bringing his grounded and emotionally charged presence to Tekken 6, Miguel Caballero Rojo was first introduced as a vengeful street fighter motivated by a quest for vengeance against the then-tyrannical Jin Kazama. Despite the fact that his tragic motivation and raw charisma has made him a fan-favorite ever since, the conspicuous lack of the character in Tekken 8 feels like a massive missed opportunity to explore the deeper implications of Jin’s ongoing arc. While his eventual inclusion isn’t out of the question, it’s still especially puzzling that Miguel has been left out after an entire season pass of DLC has come and gone.
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One of Tekken 6’s Most Impactful Additions Has Been Seemingly Forgotten
The Popularity of Miguel Has Made His Absence a Surprise
In a franchise which has always gone out of its way to integrate a diverse array of practiced martial artists from across the world, Miguel made a bold debut as a brutal user of unrefined technique that emphasizes risky moves. This instantly made him one of the most relatable members of the series’ roster, as he gets by with sheer force in the face of masters who have been training in the likes of Xiaoyu’s Hakke Sho or Hwoarang’s Taekwondo in Tekken 8 for entire portions of their lives.
What has truly always set Miguel apart, however, is likely the humanity of his lore. With a backstory involving the death of his sister during her wedding at the hands of Jin’s Mishima Zaibatsu, the palpable grief of this blood-thirsty man has reached some fans on a far more visceral level than the appeal of the seemingly endless cycle of internal Mishima conflict. Although the likes of Azucena, with her unique take on MMA, seem to have been intended to fill the void he’s left, this fighter’s exclusion has cast a shadow over Tekken 8‘s roster.
Miguel’s Presence Might Have Contradicted One of Tekken 8’s Main Narrative Arcs
The Price of Ignoring Accountability and the Consequences of Jin Kazama’s Actions
As glaring as it is for Miguel’s arc to have been concluded with his appearance in T7, there’s a highly probable chance that he could have been left out due to his role in Jin’s story specifically. With the narrative of Tekken 8 being centered around Jin taking up a heroic role as he stands against the global domination of Kazuya, it feels like the writers of this title have largely chosen to leave Jin’s dark history as the instigator of World War 3 in the past.
In his T7 ending, Miguel spared Jin’s life and promised to return and kill him at a later point when he had achieved happiness. If the enraged Spaniard had reemerged during the midst of the redemption arc more recently at play, he technically could have gotten in the way of Jin saving the planet from the ceaseless conquest of Tekken 8‘s Devil Kazuya.
T6’s Weaker Story Elements May Be Better Left Behind
It may have brought about the compelling likes of Lars and Miguel, but Tekken 6‘s story has often been considered one of the weakest of the entire series. Instead of facing the emotional aftermath of Jin’s war crimes head-on, the game essentially swept his evil under the rug by attributing it to a wider plan to summon Azazel and eradicate the Devil Gene. This didn’t stop Miguel from holding on to his vendetta as time passed, but this entire arc has largely amounted to being a dropped plot point outside of Azazel’s brief return in T8. While it appears that a general recalibration of the franchise narrative has risen as the priority of the latest entry, it’s still surprising that this may have come at the cost of a beloved part of the IP.
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Bandai Namco Could Be Saving Miguel for a Hyped Reveal Down the Line in Tekken 8’s Lifespan
The Opportunity to Extend the Narrative Ahead of a Full-On Sequel
Due to how recognizable he’s become since his introduction, the lack of Miguel in Tekken 8 has been a notable point of contention among some players. While he has a chance of showing up in the title’s upcoming second season pass of characters, there’s also the looming reality that his popularity could eventually be leveraged to help extend the title’s longevity by making him a prominent DLC addition.
Of all the existing fighters who have yet to make it into the title, Miguel has some of the greatest potential to exist in a meaningful role within the current scenario. Not only could he reinvigorate the roster after hype has further waned, but his mere presence would be certain to challenge the apparently hopeful, conclusive resolution of the base game’s final moments in terms of Jin Kazama’s arc in Tekken.
Reina’s Slow-Burn Leaves Room for Honoring the Past
With the Unforgotten Echoes DLC story expansion that released alongside Heihachi Mishima as DLC further serving to build Reina up in Tekken 8 as a rising antagonistic force, there’s a genuine possibility that Miguel could return with an incentive to join her against Jin in the ongoing story. Although her status as a Devil Gene user seeking to honor Heihachi’s legacy might clash with the justice-based motives of his revenge, there’s no telling how much Miguel’s desire for revenge could have compromised his morals in the time since his last outing.
Tekken 8 brings the fight to the latest generation of consoles, powered by Unreal Engine 5. Feel the power of every hit in Tekken 8, the latest entry in the legendary fighting game franchise from Bandai Namco. Utilising the power and realism of Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 pushes the envelope for fighting games by taking full advantage of the power of the latest generation of consoles. Ground-breaking new features, breathtakingly detailed character models and dramatic environments make this one of the most visually stunning and immersive titles in the genre yet. Tekken 8 picks up after the gruesome battle that ended in Heihachi Mishima’s defeat in Tekken 7, focusing on a new rivalry, pitting father against son as Jin Kazama stands in defiance against Kazuya Mishima in a city-shattering face-to-face showdown.
- Released
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January 26, 2024
- ESRB
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