Sifu

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

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Buy Sifu on PlayStation Store. Sifu is a stylish yet gritty beat-em-up, featuring visceral hand-to-hand combat in a contemporary urban setting.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,560 reviews

gameplay303 positive mentions

grinding34 negative mentions

gameplay
760 mentions
40 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Sifu" is widely praised for its intricate and rewarding combat mechanics, which blend elements of martial arts with a unique aging system that adds depth and strategy to encounters. Players appreciate the challenge of mastering various techniques, such as dodging, parrying, and executing combos, although some find the learning curve steep and the lack of clear tutorials frustrating. Overall, the game offers a satisfying experience that encourages replayability and skill refinement, making it a standout title in the beat 'em up genre.
- “The gameplay in this game is, at the risk of sounding pretentious, the platonic ideal of action gameplay design: using a few core moves in different combinations at different times to execute devastating combos or avoid/parry enemy attacks.”
- “Sifu is a masterclass in modern martial arts gaming that combines intense hand-to-hand combat with a unique aging mechanic, creating a deeply challenging and rewarding experience.”
- “The aging mechanic adds a unique twist: every time you die, you age, gaining power but losing health.”
- “Unfortunately, core mechanics like deflect and avoid are buried in skippable detective board notices instead of being explained in a straightforward tutorial.”
- “The game does a terrible job at teaching you how to play it and all of its mechanics, and the punishment for death is quite high - restart the level, maybe taking 10 minutes.”
- “The central aging mechanic is a gimmick concealing what's basically a limited lives system that makes what is otherwise a competent brawler into a frustrating slog with unnecessary tension over meta mechanics.”
story
597 mentions
30 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Sifu" is a straightforward revenge narrative centered on a martial artist avenging their father's death, which unfolds across five main levels. While the plot is often described as simple and somewhat predictable, it is effectively integrated with the game's mechanics, particularly the unique aging system that adds depth to the gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the minimalistic storytelling approach, which allows for a focus on combat, though some express a desire for a longer and more developed narrative.
- “The story of a young martial artist seeking revenge for their family's murder is both timeless and compelling.”
- “The protagonist's quest for revenge is portrayed with depth and emotional resonance, providing a compelling backdrop to the adrenaline-fueled action.”
- “It successfully combines stunning visuals, engaging storytelling, and a revolutionary combat system to deliver an unforgettable experience.”
- “The story leaves much to be desired.”
- “The story is simple and can be said to be easily forgotten.”
- “The story is pretty run of the mill revenge story but it is done well.”
graphics
276 mentions
57 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
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 reviewers highlight the game's beautiful animations, vibrant colors, and overall aesthetic appeal, although some note minor performance issues and a lack of high graphical fidelity. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant strength of the game, enhancing both the combat mechanics and the storytelling.
- “The art style of 'Sifu' is striking, with a minimalistic yet expressive approach that brings a unique visual flair to the environments and characters.”
- “The game's aesthetic, inspired by Chinese martial arts cinema, is a refreshing break from the more photorealistic graphics seen in many contemporary titles.”
- “The graphics and sound design in 'Sifu' are also something to be praised.”
- “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.”
- “The graphics are average quality.”
- “Graphics could use some polish, but I get the art style they were aiming for.”
music
156 mentions
54 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers praising the diverse soundtrack that blends traditional Chinese instruments with modern beats. The soundtrack is described as immersive, captivating, and fitting for the game's atmosphere, contributing significantly to the intensity of combat and the emotional depth of the story. While some players noted moments of repetitiveness or a lack of dynamism, the majority found the music to be a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
- “The soundtrack adds to the game's atmosphere with a mix of traditional Chinese instruments and modern beats, complementing the intensity of the action.”
- “The music is insanely immersive, pretty, and badass.”
- “The soundtrack truly rips, I do not know how I feel about the video game other than that yet.”
- “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 bgm is often lacking, bring your own music.”
replayability
123 mentions
43 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, primarily driven by its intricate combat mechanics, multiple paths, and the addition of an arena mode that offers new challenges and unlockables. Players are encouraged to refine their skills and explore various playstyles, making each playthrough feel fresh and rewarding despite the game's relatively short length. Overall, the combination of roguelike elements, achievements, and a unique aging mechanic enhances the game's replay value significantly.
- “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.”
- “The replayability, intricate level design, satisfying combat mechanics, and the innovative aging system kept me hooked.”
- “Despite its difficulties, Sifu is one of the most fun games I've played recently, and the replay value causes me to come back to this game frequently.”
- “The main game is surprisingly replayable as you can unlock new gimmicky ways to play the game that keeps you engaged even after 70 hours of playtime.”
- “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.”
grinding
44 mentions
9 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
77 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to replay the same stages multiple times for upgrades or to complete challenges. While some players find enjoyment in the grind as a means to improve their skills, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making the game feel artificially difficult and frustrating. Overall, the grinding aspect is a divisive feature, with opinions ranging from it being a necessary part of the challenge to a frustrating chore that hampers enjoyment.
- “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 the game 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
43 mentions
9 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
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. While some users noted that performance improved over time or was acceptable on certain platforms, others experienced severe lag and crashes, leading to frustration and a diminished gaming experience. Overall, the consensus indicates that the game suffers from poor optimization, impacting its playability despite its enjoyable mechanics and design.
- “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.”
- “If you are into mastering combat mechanics and enjoy repeating levels to improve your score and performance, there will be plenty to keep you busy.”
- “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
30 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Sifu" is highlighted by its gripping narrative and the profound connection players feel to the protagonist's journey of revenge and personal growth. While some players find the story simple, many appreciate its depth and the emotional weight behind the combat mechanics, creating a unique experience that resonates deeply. The game effectively intertwines challenging gameplay with heartfelt themes, leaving players feeling both empowered and emotionally invested in their journey.
- “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
23 mentions
39 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
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 appreciate the distinct visual styles and thematic soundscapes that elevate the overall experience, evoking the essence of classic martial arts films. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and authentic, drawing players into a stylized universe filled with challenge and excitement.
- “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.”
- “This would be enough to impress, but every level has a distinct soundtrack that fits the theme and feeling, creating some very powerful atmospheres.”
stability
18 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with players reporting frequent glitches, freezing issues, and input problems, particularly on the character screen and during cutscenes. While it runs well on platforms like Linux and Steam Deck, many users experienced significant bugs that detracted from the overall experience, including game freezes that could force restarts and issues with boss encounters. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, its stability concerns make it feel less polished and at times unplayable.
- “Runs great on Linux/Steam Deck.”
- “Game runs great, looks great, and plays well.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck and can be modded!”
- “For good reason, because it is jarring and feels buggy and terrible.”
- “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.”
- “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
17 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying its comedic elements alongside intense action, such as funny achievements and quirky character interactions. Many find the absurdity of the combat mechanics and the juxtaposition of serious themes with humor to be particularly entertaining, making it a memorable experience. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with gameplay, appealing to fans of both beat 'em ups and comedic narratives.
- “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
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its organic storytelling and deep emotional connections, effectively immersing players in the protagonist's journey. The beautifully designed characters, each with distinct personalities and backgrounds, enhance the narrative, making encounters feel meaningful and engaging. Overall, the attention to detail in character design and the integration of cultural elements contribute significantly to the game's rich character development.
- “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
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Users express frustration over developers' lack of transparency in monetization practices, suggesting that advertising the game accurately is often overlooked or complicated.
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending money.”
- “The constant barrage of ads and prompts to purchase in-game currency ruins the immersion.”