Well, here's my opinion on Tekken: I like it. I was originally one
of the crowd of skeptics (as anyone who knows me on IRC will attest), and
although I had played it but briefly in the arcades, I really thought the
game wasn't up to all the hype.

	Looks like I get to swallow my words, to some degree. I still think
Jack is hideous in terms of character design, and that Paul's hair is just
*stupid*, but in terms of gameplay, four or so hours of steady play attest
to the fallacy of my original claims.

	Anyhow, for those of you who haven't played this game, it's a
semi-VF clone, with the same "2D/3D" style of play, with some significant
differences from the aforementioned Sega uprights. Instead of that
obnoxious block button, you can pull back to block, a concept which I prefer;
however, since this also causes your character to move back as well (unlike 
F2 blocking, where the player remains in a block pose when the opponent is
attacking), which I find somewhat disrupting to strategic play. I suppose I'll
adjust. :) You also have left punch/right punch buttons replacing VF1/VF2's
single punch button, and the same is true for kicks. This allows for a 
slightly greater variety of possible maneuvers, which I heartily appreciate.
There are 8 characters standard, most of which have a specific style of
martial arts, ranging from the aikidoka Nina Williams to the "space ninja"
Yoshimitsu. 9 more characters are available by beating the individual
sub-bosses (something I cannot do for the life of me, even using 1 match/Easy/
Change Character settings - Help! How do I "set a record?"), so a good
amount of characters actually exist beyond the standard suite.
	The frame rate is an impressive 60 fps, with parallax in such
backgrounds as the snowy stage (can't recall the name) adding to the 3D
illusion. Not TSDs polygons, but don't go into this game expecting TSD -
they really play nothing alike. To be honest, I think I prefer Tekken, merely
because of the variety and complexity of the maneuvers. Everything is almost
TOO smooth - it gives me a bit of a headache to watch continuously.
	What really makes the game is the play, and here it compares favorably
to the ubiquitous VF2. The moves are complex and cool to watch - Anna breaking
my joints with her multi-part arm locks had me wincing. Response time is
quick, the moves are simple to initiate but difficult to use well; this, IMHO,
is what defines a solid fighting engine in terms of specials.
	Rumors about AI difficulty are true in some respects; the AI is VERY
aggressive, even on Easy. However, those complaining were obviously not
trying very hard - I, a rank novice at this game, with some struggling, managed
to beat Heihachi on this setting after an hour or so. This game is VERY
reflex-oriented; if you treat it like a KI or an MK, with turtling or wasting
time trying to set up "combos" - you WILL be butchered. You really have to
know your shit AND be fast to connect with a wicked combination. You have to
think slightly different from the average fighting game mentality - know
what button presses do what, and respond to the situations accordingly. I
know I'm making this sound like some sort of twitchfest - this isn't true
either. For example, if Kazuya is axekicking a crouching Nina to death with
the typical aggressive CPU battery, you need to respond in some other fashion
than turtling; try a low forward leg kick (left or right, depending on where
you are facing) and arm lock/throw his ass when his foot goes up. The best
defense is a good set of counter-offensives. You WILL pick this game up and
win a couple fights at first, but you will also need to practice to have any
lasting success. And this is the way I like my games.
	OK, before the Saturn junkies flame me for liking this game, I'll 
qualify it with a "It's no VF2." It isn't. The graphics are not nearly as
aesthetically well designed (DAMN, Jack is ugly. Did I mention he was ugly?
Damn, he's ugly.), and it lacks the cool locales the arcade version of VF2
had. However, unto itself, it is a well-designed games, with some of the
best grappling maneuvers I've seen, and it's a blast once you stop thinking
in the SF2/MK vein and concentrate more on its semi-unique style of play. 

	It really is fun - check it out, especially if you like VF/VF2.
While the graphics aren't up to the VF2 aesthetic, don't overlook this
game on that basis alone. I almost did, and almost missed out on a VERY
solid fighting game with a great engine if weird graphics. Besides, and
VF2 folks don't kill me, Nina's multi-part aikido arm locks are THE
coolest moves I've ever seen in a fighter...

Overall: (for you stat freaks):
    Graphics: 8 (Damn, Jack is UGGLEEEEE)
    Sound: 7 (Music is pretty good, sounds are just OK, announcer is just a 
              little too intense)
    Gameplay: 9 (VERY solid fighting engine - just don't think TSD)
    Animation: 9 (Smooth as glass, with only a couple weird lookin' moves)
    Control: 8 (Very responsive, I just personally dislike the fact that you
                back up when blocking)
    Playability: 9 (It's a blast - 'specially two-player. Very well-balanced)

    Overall: 8.25 (The grappling maneuvers alone make this game :))

    I can't guarantee all would-be purchasers will like it, but I myself have
no hesitation in recommending it. Seriously, before you soil your Dockers that
your 50 dollar purchase isn't VF2, sit down and play it a bit. I think you'll
be pleasantly surprised.

	Now I *really* can't wait for Soul Edge....


-----
Douglas L. Erickson - CS/English Major and ECN Stoogeboy
Imp: Green Hell Alpha @ iguana.ucs.uoknor.edu 7000 
Disclaimer: ECN does not endorse the rabid blathering I call my opinions.
"It's only funny until someone gets hurt...and then it's just hilarious."
						- Faith No More, "Ricochet"