Pro player Knee calls out Tekken 8 changes: 'Why should veterans lose to rookies?'

When Season 2 launched earlier this month, players rushed in to test the changes. While the update briefly boosted player numbers, it also triggered a flood of negative reviews on Steam, pushing the game's rating into "Overwhelmingly Negative" territory.

Many in the Fighting Game Community have criticized the update for fundamentally changing character playstyles and removing mechanics that took years to master. The feeling is that the developers are trying to level the playing field for newcomers by simplifying the game's depth.

Since the update, Knee has been sharing gameplay clips on X, demonstrating how the changes have affected his approach.

"Honestly, I think the developers' idea should be different from the player. However, I think it would be nice to accept some feedback, but I don't care if they don't listen. Tekken 8 is already [getting] negative reviews," Knee said.

Knee's first major gripe with the Season 2 update was the combo system. He felt combos had become too long and overly damaging, creating situations where a single mistake could cost players an entire round.

He also criticized the simplification of mind games, which are a core part of high-level Tekken play. According to Knee, the new mechanics have made these mental battles feel dull, with repetitive low-risk options becoming the norm. "It's boring," he said.

Another focal point of his frustration is the Heat System. Introduced as a new mechanic in Tekken 8, the system was meant to add aggression and flair - but in Season 2, Knee argued it's become "unbalanced." He pointed out that many Heat moves now carry little risk, allowing players to throw out powerful attacks with little consequence, leading to spammy and repetitive gameplay.

Perhaps his biggest concern, though, is the removal of advanced moves that skilled players spent years mastering. These techniques often gave veterans the edge in tight moments.

"The legacy knowledge has just been removed," Knee said. "Air moves can't be low parried and hold moves can't be parried. So we have no way to [be tactical] in certain situations. Did it have to be removed?"

Knee added: "Veterans have invested a lot of time and put a lot of effort into it. So it's a fun game to play when you increase your knowledge and learn your skills. Actually, I don't know why a veteran should have a high probability of losing to a beginner or a rookie. Isn't that contradictory?"