Top 11 Stages Pt.2

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for (or maybe it's just me), the Top 5 Tekken Stages of All-Time!  Or at least until the next game comes out...

5. Wolve's Den from Tekken 6:DR

This stage is just cool; pure, unadulterated cool.  Let's rundown the coolness list: Night? Check.  Moon partially covered with clouds?  Check.  Wolves running around?  Check.  Freaky-awesome tree?  Check.  BG music featuring guitars and howling?  Heck yeah...check.  As an added bonus (if the Tekkenpedia hasn't failed me) Wolves's Den is a remake of Forest from Tekken 3, also an awesome stage that nearly made this list.  This as well as the 4-1 are going to have coolness be a major factor in their ranking.

4. Serene Forest from Tekken 2

I mentioned earlier that Forest didn't quite make the list, and this is the reason why.  In reality, both are superb stages, and either one would have been a great candidate for the #4 slot.  The tiebreaker was the music.  Forest's BG music was okay, but a bit generic.  Serene Forest's music, however, starts with the this creepy-cool male soloist guy and Japanese sounding music, which sounds freakin' awesome (the "freakin'" multiplying the awesome by two).  Also, Serene Forest is a bit dimmer, giving it a mysterious quality.  
Oh yeah, Forest was lacking, what's the word, a certain...serenity, maybe?

3. Unknown from Tekken Tag Tournament

The great thing about this stage is that, matching it's name, we know nothing about it.  All we see is that we're in some ambiguous church with some cool looking statues and a floor that makes me think of Tekken 2 for some reason (?).  We have no idea what this has to do with the boss, whom we also know nothing about.  This stage has mystery going for it, as well as music that sounds like Tekken music's slowly deteriorating clone.  And for that, it has reached #3.

2. Church Sanctuary from Tekken 2/Winter Palace from Tekken 6:DR

Fun Fact #1: I love me some cathedral's.  Fun Fact #2: I am indecisive.  That's why I cheated and put two stages at #2.  Frankly, it was nostalgia vs. beauty, and in that, everyone wins.
Church Sanctuary has a very old-school church feel, which is perfect for the old-school King.  This level is probably what instilled my appreciation for cathedral's in the first place, and is the second most memorable stage for me from my childhood.
Winter Palace is gorgeous, just gorgeous.  I'd go to church every Sunday gladly if I could go here.  And the music has to be heard to be believed, especially the string part.  That's literally all I can say about that, it's really just that amazing.

"But Kami, you eccentric genius you, you've ranted about how super-special-awesome these stages are, what could possibly rank number one?"  Whelp, here you go...

1.Mirror Darkness from Tekken 2

Unkown was cool, but this, THIS is how you do a boss level: simple (unlike Inferno from T5:DR), but not too generic (like Azazel's Chamber from T6).  Where Mirror Darkness really stands out is it's use of repeating the screen to give a mirrored affect.  When you're a little kid watching you're dad play, that's the definition of mysterious-cool.  Also, the lead-up was to the boss was clever.  The sub-boss is Kazuya fought in Eternal Darkness.  Eternal Darkness is completely dark, with an actually pretty sweet tiled floor.  When Kaz transforms into a more fascinating form but more simply colored, so does the stage.  All that plus the epic-yet-melancholy theme is what makes this the #1 Tekken Stage ever.

There you have it, my very first Top 11 list.  Hey, if this is the only one for Tekken stages, does that make mine the definitive ranking?  If you have your own ideas, please debate peacefully in the comment section.  School's starting back up, so my posts might get briefer (some of you might like that though...)  Until then...

Kami "IT'S A GAMMA BOMB!!!!" Kamiya

Top 11 Stages Pt.1

Most of you reading this probably think that stages to a fighting game don't matter.  Newsflash for ya folks, they do.  The Tekken series has given us some of the most colorful and unique areas for us to beat each other senseless in, and they should be commended for it.  That's why for the next two weeks I'll be counting down the Top 11 Stages in Tekken.  Why Top 11?  Because you people need to check out the Nostalgia Critic.  

Keep in mind the choices are subjective, and nostalgia plays a large role in my decision.  That being said, I won't take graphics into consideration since the Tekken games always've had pretty good graphics for their time period.  Now that that's out of the way, let's get started!

11. Skyring from Tekken 3

The main reason Skyring made the list was the fact that this level is nuts.  I mean, it's a metal wrestling ring located high above some mountains!  Why is it there?  Who built it?  Who would wanna build it?  I don't know, but this stage has crossed the line from Crazy to Crazy Awesome, and frankly, I can't think of a better stage to go with everyone's favorite vaguely religious jaguar-masked Mexican wrestler.

10. Electric Fountain from Tekken 6

When I first got the game, I didn't  take much notice of the Electric Fountain, but after careful consideration, I realized that this stage is quite visually appealing.  The shopping area around the fighting portion gives the area an urban look, while the laser-geyser's (I don't think they could have those in real life) add a colorful modern appeal.  Also, the background music (Karma) has hints of old-school Tekken in it.  This is definitely a perfect spot for two modern people to have a  random brawl.

9. Laboratory Courtyard from Tekken 3

I'm not gonna lie to you, the I picked this because it reminds me of Metal Gear Solid.  What can I say, I just love MGS's aesthetic appeal.  Uhhh...Oh wait!  All three of this stage's background music is cool!  Ha, related this back to Tekken.  Save!

8. Autumn Temple from Tekken 5: DR

There had to be at least one Japanese Temple on this list, and I dare you to pick a more beautiful one.  From the classic setting, to the gorgeous fall colors, to the music containing some very cool Japanese pipes (Or so I believe), the designer's have created a stage that is both pleasing to senses and a perfect set-up to a ninja fight (Alas, if only Kunimitsu were still here...)

7. Tiger Dojo Tokyo from Tekken 3

To me, this is the stage that embodies most what Tekken is.  I think of Jin Kazama, Heihachi, or the third installment itself, this is what comes to mind.  You can just picture Jin training to defeat Heihachi for betraying him.  From the designs inside, to the misty mountains outside, this is just a cool level.  And it has the most triumphant example of Tekken music ever to grace the series.  All-in-all a very Tekkeny place.

6. English Countryside from Tekken 2

Jun Kazama represents all that is good and pure in the Tekken world, and her stage is a perfect match.  The rolling green hills, blue sky and gentle music give this the clean and natural vibe of Jun herself.  Almost make you wish you didn't have to fight...just lay down...and go to...sleep...

Whelp, all this gushing seems to have tuckered me out, so tune in next week as I reveal the Top 5 Tekken Levels!  Until then...


Kami "Blue Rupees and Chevy Chase" Kamiya


P.S. All images used were taken from the Tekkenpedia, which I highly recommend for all your Tekken needs