Sifu Review – A Test Of Resolve

Mastering a martial art takes years – if not a lifetime. The ability to execute every move, counterattack, and attack with precision is a requirement for all martial arts students. The ability to think and move is essential for a skilled warrior. It takes dedication and practice to master Sifu’s combat system. You must persevere through all the pain before you can reap the rewards.

2017 saw the release of Absolver (a martial-arts RPG/action game) by Sloclap. This allowed players to create their own combat systems and battle other players online in an exclusive fantasy world. Absolver was not well-received due to its uninspired quest design and barren environment, but the core combat system was strong. Sloclap’s sequel game focuses on a single player adventure and sharpens the combat system. Although the concept is intriguing, it is not well executed.

Sifu, at its core, is just a revenge story. Your master was brutally killed by a group of strange thugs eight years back. You have dedicated your life and your efforts to find them and bring justice. The odds against you are not in your favour because the leaders of the attack have dozens upon dozens of bodyguards. You have the ability to rise above your enemies’ numbers. The magical talisman is at your side that will revive you if you get hurt in combat. But, each death adds one digit to a death counter that determines how old you will be when you die. Each death adds 1 digit to the death counter, which determines how old you will be when you rebirth. You can easily lose up to six years after the first death. It’s a great way to monitor your progression throughout the game. Also, I loved watching the character’s posture shift as gray hair and wrinkles started to set in. 

Sloclap built its combat system on the principles of Pak Mei Ku Fu (a centuries-old martial arts that uses fluid, explosive attacks). These fluid animations combined with stylized characters make for breathtaking combat situations that are reminiscent of Kung-Fu’s best films. One moment I was able to smash an opponent into a table and send broken glass and legs all around the room. In a second I was kicking a basket in the air, sending my attacker tumble to the floor and smashing another bottle into his face. Sifu’s combats can be choreographed to break bones in well-choreographed dances when all the cylinders fire. The feeling of standing on the top of your beaten foes was incredible.

It is difficult to navigate Sifu’s battles with precision. There are strict timing rules that can slow down the game. To survive in these narrow streets, you must use blocks, dodges and counters effectively. A simple mistake can expose you to an enemy’s attack. This is a very punishing feeling. Although you can get a little bit of your health back by doing advanced takedowns (which is a lot compared with what you’ll lose to a single enemy group), it doesn’t make up for the loss in overall health. The challenge of fighting enemies in groups is increased. You need to be alert and balanced while dealing with the dangers. Although I like the tactical component of combat, I do not enjoy having to fight the camera simultaneously. I feel that enemies sometimes pop up from behind your screen to interfere with your combos. Those attacks are cheap.   

Sifu’s various levels are a challenging but worthwhile challenge. The game’s design makes it more difficult. Your talisman will completely break once you turn 70. You must restart every level after this occurs. Although there are some shortcuts that make it easier to run into a boss, I was still tired of repeating the same steps until I figured out my method. The worst part is that you can begin each level no matter what age you were when you finished the last level. It makes sense. However, this made me re-visit older levels in order to complete them earlier so that I could have more time later.

You can also earn experience as you work hard to get your lumps. This is a way for you to acquire new skills. These skills are essential for some tasks, including the ability kick environment objects at foes. You can find shrines scattered around the area that offer extra perks, such as an increase in weapon damage or an increase to your heath after every takedown. Unfortunately, certain abilities and perks become locked as you age. This forced me once more to return to my early levels in order to gain enough experience to unlock the skills I needed before they were permanently lost. The whole process was exhausting.

Sifu is a strong 20-year old combatant. Sifu’s core combat is excellent and the instant-to-moment action feels better than Hollywood blockbusters. The action becomes repetitive and tedious as it progresses. Sifu is a wonderful example of how growing older is not always enjoyable.