{"id":184031,"date":"2022-02-22T12:55:37","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T11:55:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=184031"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:55:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:55:34","slug":"sifu-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/sifu-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Sifu Review: A Life Spent on Revenge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This review on the kung-fu style fighting game<\/strong> Sifu<\/a> explores several key elements that affect player experiences. Despite the initial delay<\/a> from developer Sloclap, the extra development time has paid off exponentially as accolades continue to pour in about their latest title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though challenging, the game rewards persistence, discipline, and attention to detail –not unlike the study of martial arts itself. But Sifu incorporates elements from multiple genres of games <\/strong>to make a more distinct yet familiar experience. Let’s get into those details within the following categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sifu background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It’s no secret that Sloclap drew from traditional martial arts movies<\/strong> (think The One-Armed Swordsman and Master of the Flying Guillotine) for the story and setting of Sifu. But this title marks the first game <\/strong>that Sloclap has developed and published on its own<\/strong>. Devolver Digital, the publisher behind Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem<\/strong><\/a>, published their previous entry Absolver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The martial art \u767d\u7709\/ Bak Mei <\/em>or Pak Mei kung fu <\/em>takes center stage in the game. Though styled as a beat ’em up strategy, the game takes hints from games like Dark Souls<\/a><\/strong> or Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice<\/strong><\/a> paired with a unique, age-linked roguelike element.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Setting and tone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since Sifu draws so heavily on real-world martial arts and classic Kung Fu films, Sloclap brought in an expert to consult <\/strong>on the game’s fight choreography and combat<\/strong>. Benjamin Colussi, a Pak Mei master, studied under Lao Wei San in Foshan, China, before opening his own school in France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Story<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The story of Sifu <\/strong>is not a particularly unique or novel one in that it is a revenge story <\/strong>at heart. Choosing one of two genders, players embark on a quest to avenge their murdered father<\/strong> Kill Bill style. This requires some sleuthing and, of course, lots of butt-kicking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It integrates clue-finding into environment exploration<\/strong>, incentivizing players to interact with the wonderfully realized world that Sloclap created. The detective board<\/strong> used to organize clues<\/strong> seems a bit out of place thematically. But it is a very useful tool for visualizing information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long to beat Sifu<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sifu’s runtime is on the shorter side<\/strong> for most modern single-player games<\/strong>. But this indie title has high replayability<\/strong> — especially when you can insert your favorite characters<\/a> as the protagonist with mods. Here’s how long it takes to beat Sifu:<\/p>\n\n\n\n