Why Sifu is the Most Unique Martial Arts Game Today?

For years, people have enjoyed martial arts games for their action, unique fights, and strong sense of discipline. The brawler genre has always advanced, starting with the Tekken series and moving on to Sleeping Dogs. Among all these examples, Sifu distinguished by Sloclap stands out as a real game changer. Though the game was released in February 2022, it impressed not only by presenting outstanding close-range action, but also by remaking aging, mastery, and repetition. Because of its unusual death and cinematic battle methods, Sifu sets itself apart from any other martial arts game.

In this article, you’ll learn why the Sifu game is unique. Sifu martial arts gameplay, combat system explained. 

About Game

Sifu comes from Sloclap, the French company that developed and published Absolver. Sifu follows the adventure of a Chinese martial artist trying to avenge their family, using the Pak Mei form of Kung Fu. In Chinese martial arts, the word Sifu means “master” or “teacher,” which shows Little Unicorn’s progress from being taught to being able to teach others.

It is built in Unreal Engine 4 and uses direct controls to complement spectacular visuals and a captivating atmosphere. 

Gameplay Mechanics

A major thing that separates Sifu from competitors is its out-of-the-box game ideas, especially its special aging and death system. Sifu martial arts gameplay is unique. These are the best parts of the application:

• If your character dies, you’ll find them older, stronger, but with less health upon their next resurrection. Every death adds another year, and when you get to age 70, you’ve lost. It supports learning and improves skills by allowing you to remember your follies.
• Sifu uses animations filmed in real life based on Kung Fu movements. Through clever choreography, the game has you handle parries, dodges, throws, and counters.
• Only the skills you unlock permanently will remain after losing in a run. Combining changes that last with those that don’t provides a satisfying pattern.
• Conflict situations usually happen in narrow streets, clubs and museums, making it possible for people to use their surroundings to knock down opponents and grab nearby objects.
• They make players work on becoming better at martial arts in ways found nowhere else in the gaming world.

Game Modes

The game concentrates on telling its story and letting you grow. Click here for a look at the different gaming modes.

Story Mode: 

In Story Mode, you have to beat five missions, and each ends with a challenging boss battle. Every area marks a unique part of a person’s martial arts journey.

Arena Mode: 

After the game launched, Arenas mode let players compete against each other within standalone matches. Some racing games have levels in which you race alone, some have you score points, and some include survival rounds.

PC gamers can use mods made by the community to customize their game’s difficulty, appearance of their characters, or even try out a Bruce Lee skin. Players who play solo will find plenty of challenges and things to learn in these modes, since there is no competitive multiplayer.

Storyline

The main focus of the story in Sifu is personal revenge. The main character is the child who lost his martial arts master to two deadly criminals. After being attacked by their father’s former students, the child spends many years training alone. Because they have a magical amulet that resurrects them, they aim to defeat their five opponents, who stand for tough challenges and reflect new ideas about revenge.

In every chapter, the book addresses the “five stages of grief”: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. You can see these themes in the enemy designs, as well as in both the levels and their music. The narrative unfolds by showing rather than talking and, in doing so, allows the game levels and play to tell the story, which isn’t common in video games.

Main Characters in Sifu

Sifu has a few large characters like you see in many RPGs, but its important characters shape how the story turns out for the main character. Every main character introduces a distinct way of fighting and a set of ideas for the player to overcome.

1. The Female/Male Protagonist

Role: A character that the player can choose to be male or female.

Explanation: The main character is raised by a famous martial arts master and defies death when others are slain, before deciding to train in Kung Fu for vengeance.

With every death, the Undying grow in strength, seem more rigid, and their aspects become more striking. My efforts aim to show the martial arts way of progress by dealing with hardships.

2. Yang

Character: Antagonist, had been a student of the protagonist’s father.

Philosophy: Thinks using martial arts helps you gain power and personal advantage.

Fighting Style: Pak Mei Kung Fu reflects the player’s talent, but with better timing and a push for more attacks.

The presence of symbolism means that the greatest challenge exists in both battle and deciding what’s right or wrong. In the real ending, players have the option to spare him, showing that they have chosen skill over taking revenge.

3. Fajar 

Place: The Squats.

Philosophy in modern form deals with “Denial,” which is one of the five stages of grief. They depend on moving fast and using both nature and plants for surprise attacks. They are nimble, quick, and do not behave the same way, so you have to react fast to avoid them.

4. Sean

This happens at the Club.

Philosophy incarnates the concept of “Anger.” A brutal Muay Thai style is used, and a flaming staff arrives in phase two. Joy is extra dangerous for you because it can hurt you with powerful attacks and persistent aggression. Tests your ability to stay patient and time thieves’ runs.

5. Kuroki: The Artist (The third Boss)

This document was created in the Museum’s exhibition area. Philosophy is linked to the action of bargaining. The way they fight involves using a naginata and playing with their movement to magically disappear.

Boss Qualities: Happy to look at and even deadlier. The backgrounds become fantastical, so fighting her seems like confronting one’s emotions directly.

6. Jinfeng: Leader of the company

The map takes place at the Tower. Philosophy acts as the image of what I feel with depression. Fighting Method: Keeps distance and controls the enemy with a rope dart.

The Boss is defined by having power and careful handling. Check your skill in moving closer and passing over different defenses.

7. Yang: The Boss (Number Five)

The place is the Sanctuary. The main concept in this field is “Acceptance.” The protagonist’s fighting style is imitated, so you have to completely master all mechanics to emerge victorious.

Boss Characteristics: Keeping things even, moving fast, and being planful. An end-of-year test to review all that has been covered.

Comparison Table with Other Martial Arts Games

Sifu excels in its gameplay mechanics and combat system. You’ll find the most genuine martial arts gameplay in a solo story in this title, compared to Sleeping Dogs, Absolver, Yakuza 0, and Sekiro.

Let’s look at the comparative graph to see how each martial arts game matches up when it comes to Combat Realism, Story Depth, Multiplayer, and Innovation. You can see that Sifu is strong in realistic battles and innovations, and Sekiro is known for its excellent mechanics and story.

Conclusion

Sifu isn’t just about fighting, it’s the best kung fu game. It also features a touching story, tight combat, and exciting development over time. While you practice to get better, you’ll notice the game’s crisp, bright style and stairway to real Kung Fu power. While traditional martial arts games showcase interesting techniques and big urban areas, Sifu focuses instead on understanding martial arts, life, and death.

Certain other games have added content and multiplayer modes, yet fewer offer the intensity and unique experience you get with Sifu. If you are a player wanting to try martial arts with a hero that learns and improves along the way, nothing beats Sifu.

What do you think about the Sifu game? Share your thoughts below!

Product information 

Version table