Tekken Tag Tournament 2

GAME OF THE WEEK: TTT2, 16 cert, Namco Bandai, PS3 (also Xbox 360) ****

According to the ancient Greeks, there were three ingredients in beauty; lucidity, simplicity and restraint. Well, two out of three isn’t bad.

Like its predecessors, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is a traditional beat-’em-up that’s clear and playable, but thankfully not too bothered with moderation or subtlety.

It’s been more than a decade since the last TTT, but it feels much more recent, probably, because it was one of the most played games on my PS2. The eighth (eighth!) instalment in the series, TTT2 doesn’t reinvent, or even greatly alter, the formula. Instead, it gives it a satisfying overhaul – clearer, glossier graphics and richer combat.

Old favourites remain, such as customising your controller and team battles (up to eight versus eight in a turn-based, last-one-standing match). Like other beat-’em-up sequels, it layers on the new fighters with the old, so now there are more than 50 characters to choose from.

Although it’s an old-fashioned genre, these games are tactically different when you introduce a tag- team element. The moment one combatant is knocked out, the round is lost, but team-mates regain energy when they’re waiting beside the ring, so don’t forget to tag!

Fighters can also kick and punch in tandem. Naturally, it makes the bouts faster and more intense. It also encourages more varied gameplay, as you choose partners to complement one another (a strong brute and a nimble martial artist, for example).

Yes, there are fire- breathing monsters and pugilistic pandas, but Tekken games are actually more grounded than many of their competitors. There are numerous recognisable martial arts and disciplines; karate, capoeira, boxing, kickboxing, sumo and wrestling. As always, there are pneumatic women with an exhibitionist streak though, in fairness, the men’s bodies are just as fetishised.

Just like before, the latest Tekken is best enjoyed as a multiplayer party game. Sure, this old genre may be a little limited for some, but for many gamers (including this one) it is a delight.