Sifu: Beat 'Em Up Game From Absolver Studio Officially Announced

Fans of martial arts-inspired games were treated to Absolver in 2017. The game featured a mix of close-up hand-to-hand and weapon combat. The game struck a chord with fans of fighting games, who were able to experience a unique gameplay loop.

It seems they won't have to wait long for a similar experience, as Absolver 's developer is releasing a similar game this year.

A NEW MARTIAL ARTS PLAYSTATION GAME

In its State of Play today, PlayStation announced Sifu , a martial arts game from Sloclap, the developers of Absolver .

The game features hand-to-hand combat as its core gameplay mechanic, and it will release for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 sometime this year.

Slocap, via Gematsu , notes that Sifu is heavily inspired by Kung Fu films:

"Featuring the gripping intensity of classic Kung Fu films with realistic and raw combat, Sifu tells the story of a young Kung Fu student who has spent their life training for a day of reckoning after the brutal murder of their entire family by a mysterious assassination squad. Hunt down the murderers one by one as you explore gang-ridden suburbs, hidden corners deep within the city, all the way to the cold hallways of corporate towers. Adaptation and careful positioning are the key to your survival and you must use everything at your disposal to succeed in your life’s mission.

"Sifu‘s unique gameplay sits in the crossroads of two established and popular genres, mashing the intensity and timeless thrill of beat em ups with the gripping design of 3D character action games. Set against a detailed backdrop of a fictional Chinese city, you will uncover an ancient mystery via a series of difficult confrontations that will test your skills to their limit. To overcome the odds that are heavily stacked against you, you’ll need to rely on your mastery of Kung Fu, and on a magical pendant that will revive you after death. The cost of magic is dear, however, and you will age significantly every time you come back to life: time is the price you will pay for your revenge.

Exquisitely hand-drawn art styles and the muted color palette lend themselves to Kung Fu film classics where themes of revenge and redemption are timeless tales, all perfectly blending with Sloclap’s martial arts gameplay expertise, to create a truly unique singleplayer Kung Fu game."

The trailer for SIFU can be found below:

A BEAUTIFUL KUNG FU FIGHTING EXPERIENCE

From Sloclap’s description, it’s clear that Sifu takes cues from classic Kung Fu movies. The intensely personal hand-to-hand battles featured in the trailer indicate that the gameplay will be very tight and focused on small skirmishes.

The art style of Sifu is particularly striking, showcasing dark alleys, bright interiors, and a multi-colored club. The environments throughout the game are seemingly diverse, so the visual aspect of the game is sure to be exciting as players progress through its story.

It’s hard not to be reminded of the famous hallway scene from Netflix’s Daredevil when watching the trailer for Sifu . Both Daredevil and the Kung Fu student battle their way through heaps of enemies in a confined hallway, taking out each adversary in a measured yet brutal way.

For now, Sifu might scratch the itch of eager Daredevil fans waiting for a video game that showcases the character’s fighting style.