Sifu

A wonderfully difficult beat-'em-up that puts the player at the forefront of their very own martial arts epic.

87%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

grinding, optimization

92% User Score Based on 16,011 reviews

Critic Score 84%Based on 73 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Sifu is a single-player hack and slash game that follows a young Kung Fu student seeking revenge for his family's murder. With only one day to track down the killers, players will fight through hordes of enemies in various locations, with the cost of failure being increased time. Careful positioning, use of environment, and strategic combat are crucial to succeed in this visually pleasing game."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 16,011 reviews

gameplay607 positive mentions

grinding68 negative mentions

gameplay
1,522 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
57%
3%
The gameplay of "Sifu" is widely praised for its intricate combat mechanics, which blend elements of martial arts with a unique aging system that adds depth and strategy to encounters. Players appreciate the rewarding nature of mastering these mechanics, although many note that the game can be challenging and sometimes frustrating due to its steep learning curve and lack of clear tutorials for certain mechanics. Overall, the game is celebrated for its fluidity, engaging combat, and the satisfaction derived from improving skills through repeated play.
- “The fantastic gameplay, the beautiful graphics, and the amazing soundtrack just to name a few things make this an enjoyable experience.”
- “Sifu is a game I found to be both challenging and rewarding, with a unique aging mechanic that adds a fascinating twist.”
- “The game rewards players who take the time to master its mechanics, as each fight feels like a high-stakes dance where every move counts.”
- “Unfortunately, core mechanics like deflect and avoid are buried in skippable detective board notices instead of being explained in a straightforward tutorial.”
- “It feels like a complete misstep in terms of balance and gameplay logic, making for a needlessly frustrating experience that stands out as bad design in an otherwise tightly crafted game.”
- “The game does not teach its mechanics; you are expected to figure out, after the second boss the game stops being enjoyable.”
story
1,196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
4%
The story of "Sifu" revolves around a classic revenge narrative, where players take on the role of a martial artist seeking vengeance for their father's murder. While the plot is straightforward and can be completed in a short time (around 2-10 hours depending on playstyle), it is complemented by engaging gameplay mechanics and a unique aging system that adds depth to the experience. Although some players find the story lacking in complexity and character development, many appreciate its emotional resonance and the way it intertwines with the game's combat mechanics, making it a compelling backdrop for the action.
- “The story of a young martial artist seeking revenge for their family's murder is both timeless and compelling.”
- “The journey of growth and self-discovery is portrayed beautifully, making the protagonist's quest feel personal and impactful.”
- “It combines stunning visuals, challenging gameplay, and a heartfelt story into a cohesive and unforgettable experience.”
- “The story leaves much to be desired.”
- “The ugly: the plot is just... so bad... I found myself just not caring at all about the story or people, my master or my actual character.”
- “This game isn't worth your money, yes it is fun and has a mediocre story, the gameplay is cool with the fighting mechanics, but it is 2.5 hours of actual plot and story play, but you can't get the true ending unless you spare your enemies which you can't do unless you go through a painstaking process of accidentally killing them for 8 times, it gets repetitive and is honestly overrated.”
graphics
553 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
40%
3%
The graphics of "Sifu" are widely praised for their stunning art style, which draws inspiration from Chinese martial arts cinema, creating a unique and immersive visual experience. Many players appreciate the game's minimalistic yet expressive aesthetic, fluid animations, and vibrant colors, although some note occasional performance issues and a lack of high graphical fidelity. Overall, the visuals significantly enhance the gameplay, making it feel like an engaging action movie.
- “The art style of 'Sifu' is striking, with a minimalistic yet expressive approach that brings a unique visual flair to the environments and characters.”
- “From its breathtaking visuals to its challenging gameplay, 'Sifu' is a masterclass in delivering an authentic and exhilarating experience.”
- “The graphics and sound design in 'Sifu' are also something to be praised.”
- “Lastly, despite sporting a 4090, I still get FPS drops and stutters no matter what graphic settings I used.”
- “The visuals seem like the devs wanted to have them stylized, but they look simply poor for a game released at this time and age.”
- “Dull, boring with awful graphics and controls.”
music
313 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
41%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall experience, featuring a captivating blend of traditional Chinese instruments and modern beats that complement the intense action. Many players highlighted the soundtrack as a standout element, with specific tracks resonating well during gameplay, although some noted moments of repetitiveness. Overall, the music is described as immersive and integral to the game's atmosphere, contributing significantly to its cinematic feel and emotional depth.
- “The soundtrack adds to the game's atmosphere with a mix of traditional Chinese instruments and modern beats, complementing the intensity of the action.”
- “Its striking visual style, pulse-pounding soundtrack, and deeply satisfying combat make for an experience that's truly unforgettable.”
- “The soundtrack is captivating, enhancing the intensity of fights and the depth of the story.”
- “The sound effects lack oomph, music is reserved and boring, and the acting is especially poor.”
- “The music is boring and repetitive.”
- “My only criticism is the background music is often lacking; bring your own music.”
replayability
248 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
55%
1%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its intricate combat mechanics, various unlockable challenges, and the addition of an arena mode that offers new levels and objectives. Players are encouraged to refine their skills and explore different playstyles, making each playthrough feel fresh and rewarding despite the game's relatively short main campaign. Overall, the combination of roguelike elements, multiple paths, and a focus on mastery ensures that players will find plenty of reasons to return.
- “The game has some of the most refined combat systems I've ever seen in a video game, and the replayability value of this game is insane, mostly due to the fact that there are achievements you can only unlock after going through a certain section of the game once again.”
- “Additionally, the game offers high replayability, with multiple paths and secrets to uncover, ensuring that each playthrough feels fresh and rewarding.”
- “The story itself is quite short, but the game has a very high replayability because of how it's structured and with the addition of arenas and post-run challenges you can absolutely sink in a lot of hours in this game.”
- “All in all, a fantastic game and a 9.5/10 for me, because it kind of lacks replay value, once you master the combat entirely, because none of the levels in the game (not even arenas) are randomly generated.”
- “If you care about replayability, this game is a bit weaker.”
- “The replayability people talk about comes from wanting to go back and master every mechanic the combat system has to offer, which does feel very rewarding once you get into that flow state; however, I personally don't feel the urge to refine my skills after completing the game.”
grinding
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
14%
77%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. Many reviewers express frustration with the need to repeatedly tackle the same challenges or levels to progress, leading to a sense of artificial difficulty rather than genuine skill improvement. While some appreciate the challenge and the potential for mastery, the consensus leans towards grinding being a significant drawback that can make the game feel overly long and frustrating.
- “For example: to 100% complete level 1 you need an item out of level 5 which makes replaying the levels really not that tedious.”
- “One of a few games which is actually fun to 100% no grinding, no RNG-based mechanics, only you and your skills.”
- “Repetitive, sure, but not tedious at all.”
- “Game is repetitive and tedious; by the time you got your character to a point where he/she is strong enough to finish the game, all incentive to continue evaporates after the umpteenth run-through. You just get sick of it; the game itself is thin on the ground with real content, and the true enemy is not the final boss but the controls themselves.”
- “It's like the game has 'artificial hardness' which makes it super grindy and unnecessarily punishing.”
- “The boss fights are tedious slogs, watching a pattern for an extensive amount of time, getting a time window for a maximum of 3 hits and decreasing 2% of a stamina bar... that's the optimal way of beating them in early stages.”
optimization
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
51%
40%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant stuttering issues, particularly during boss fights and when entering new areas, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration. While some users noted that performance improved over time or was acceptable on certain platforms, the overall consensus indicates that the game suffers from poor optimization, making it challenging for players to fully enjoy the experience without encountering lag and crashes.
- “There are plenty of reasons to replay and improve your performance on early areas, while giving you an edge if you're observant; meanwhile, the tight combat never really grows tiresome, and as you learn the subtle differences between similar offensive or defensive actions, you also get more and more chance to 'optimize' your runs.”
- “Sifu has a lot going for it fortunately, such as using the terrain and minor positioning optimization that can both be utilized to visibly increase the player's effectiveness.”
- “Getting 3 stars in every arena level is hard, but getting gold stamps is way harder, and can give you a ton of replayability in trying to perfect your performance.”
- “However, the constant stuttering during boss fights and certain locations has rendered the game unplayable.”
- “It's short and very poorly optimized - it's fun, but lag will literally end your run.”
- “The game is great and is super fun, but it stutters like crazy, which is a big issue for a game that really depends on reaction time, and it's 100% the game's fault: very poor optimization.”
emotional
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Sifu" is highlighted by its gripping narrative and the depth of the protagonist's quest for revenge, which resonates strongly with players. While some reviews note that the story may not be heartwarming or fully fleshed out, it is rich with themes of mercy and martial mortality, allowing for personal interpretation and emotional engagement. The combination of challenging gameplay and a heartfelt storyline creates a unique experience that leaves players feeling both empowered and emotionally invested.
- “The emotional depth of the narrative enhances the overall experience, making it more than just a showcase of impressive combat mechanics.”
- “The protagonist's quest for revenge is portrayed with depth and emotional resonance, providing a compelling backdrop to the adrenaline-fueled action.”
- “Sifu is an extraordinary martial arts game that immerses players into a captivating world of revenge, where every punch, kick, and parry carries an emotional weight.”
atmosphere
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
54%
7%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and dynamic environments, transitioning from vibrant nightclubs to haunting feudal villages, all enhanced by a unique blend of traditional and modern soundtracks. Players are drawn into a gritty, stylized universe that evokes the essence of classic martial arts films, with distinct visual themes and powerful music that elevate the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and authentic, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The soundtrack adds to the game's atmosphere with a mix of traditional Chinese instruments and modern beats, complementing the intensity of the action.”
- “From the moment I picked up the controller, I was drawn into its gritty, stylized universe that oozes with atmosphere and challenge.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful score, composed by talented musicians, heightens the intensity and atmosphere of the game.”
- “The levels are heavily color-coded and have vastly distinct atmospheres - some of them even start changing in fantastical ways as the targets begin using their magic talismans against you.”
stability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with players reporting frequent glitches, freezing issues, and input mapping problems, particularly on the character screen and during cutscenes. While it runs well on platforms like Steam Deck and Linux, these bugs can significantly disrupt gameplay, leading to frustrating restarts and a sense of unfinished polish. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, its stability issues detract from the experience.
- “Runs great on Linux / Steam Deck.”
- “Game runs great, looks great, and plays well.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck and can be modded!”
- “I can't fight the second boss at the club because the game just freezes when I walk through the final door when there should be a cutscene.”
- “Really fun, amazing game... but it occasionally just freezes for a few seconds, and depending on when this happens, this can force a restart of an entire level, which makes it fairly unplayable.”
- “However, it's buggy as hell for me - I get a black screen at startup or with cut scenes which require a hard restart, and this is consistent.”
humor
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding the combination of action and comedic elements to be highly entertaining. Many reviews highlight the absurdity of certain gameplay mechanics, such as inconsistent parries and armored enemies, which add to the game's charm. Additionally, the presence of funny achievements and quirky controllers enhances the overall comedic experience, making it a must-play for fans of beat 'em up games.
- “Sifu is an action-packed game that allows you to beat up all kinds of enemies while laughing your ass off.”
- “Overall, Sifu is a must-play for anyone who loves a good beat 'em up game with a side of humor.”
- “Achieving wude by sparing the five main bosses while killing hundreds of their lowlies will never not be funny to me.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
Character development in the game is highly praised for its organic storytelling and emotional depth, effectively engaging players in the protagonist's journey. The beautifully designed characters, each with distinct personalities and backgrounds, enhance the narrative, making encounters feel meaningful and immersive. Overall, the game's attention to detail and cultural references contribute to a rich experience that resonates with players.
- “The character development is well-executed, and the story unfolds organically as you progress through the game.”
- “The storytelling and character development keep me gripped through the game and invested in the protagonist's personal struggle.”
- “It's a testament to the game's narrative and character development that it instills such a strong emotional connection.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express frustration over the complexity and lack of transparency in game monetization strategies, suggesting that developers often misrepresent their games in advertisements.