Playing Tekken 2 after having played a later game in the series a day before can lead to a trip. Sidestepping like how we're encouraged to will lead to your character looking like a spaz in this game. Throws do much crazier damage. Everything's a lot more footsie-oriented. The list goes on. This can really lead to the purest form of "hit-and-run" type of fighting, especially when coupled with the frustrating AI.
However, even with all of those innate differences and with Namco not discovering those in-game staples yet, it doesn't take anything away from Tekken 2 as a whole. Even if you can count the polygons on every character model and bemoan their stiff movement, this game is still top-notch when it comes to presentation.
The music is mesmerizing, the stages are grand and the characters themselves, though more reserved in concept compared to Tekken 3's, exude a lot of charm. It's very much an early '90s product in the best way possible.
Whether this game holds up mechanically in 2024 is up for debate - but as a work of art? Tekken 2 is timeless.
However, even with all of those innate differences and with Namco not discovering those in-game staples yet, it doesn't take anything away from Tekken 2 as a whole. Even if you can count the polygons on every character model and bemoan their stiff movement, this game is still top-notch when it comes to presentation.
The music is mesmerizing, the stages are grand and the characters themselves, though more reserved in concept compared to Tekken 3's, exude a lot of charm. It's very much an early '90s product in the best way possible.
Whether this game holds up mechanically in 2024 is up for debate - but as a work of art? Tekken 2 is timeless.