Summary
Sifucame and went as one of the more stylish action games to date. There’s no telling now if there’ll be a sequel forSifu, though potential games are basically limitless as long as characters are afflicted by a similar age manipulation feature and have gameplay authentically centered around those systems.Sifucertainly wasn’t an easy action game, demanding that players learn an intricate mastery of directional mixed martial arts to meticulously dismantle different enemies and improvise with tools and environments at their disposal.
Sifuwas wholly original in its aesthetic and storytelling approach even if the story itself wasn’t remarkably unprecedented, and a lot of what made its combat exceptional were the iconic set pieces and action movies it paid unmistakable homage to, such as the panning corridor shot inOldboy. This provoked many players to indulge in fan-made mods whereSifu’s protagonist was reskinned to look like Charlie Cox’s Daredevil, Keanu Reeves’ Neo, and Robert Pattinson’s Batman, for instance, and if aSifusequel was ever on the table it’d be wonderful to see it take inspiration from Dev Patel’sMonkey Manand its titular Kid.
Monkey Man’s Action is Fueled by Impassioned Violence and Improvisation
Monkey Man’s Kid certainly knows how to handle himself in a fight and can make somewhat of a living doing so, but whereMonkey Manis most unique apart from action movies likeJohn Wick, aside from its obvious and profound cultural roots, is in Kid’s lack of prestige as a careered and storied assassin. Kid is rather a man seeking vengeance for a wrong he suffered as a child, and likeBruce Wayne’s Batmanhe’s sacrificed whatever semblance of a ‘normal’ life he could’ve had in order to pursue his own brand of bloodied justice.
Monkey Mantwists the knife emotionally as well, which makes Kid’s rampage that much more palpable, especially in the beginning when he’s scheming his way into Kings to get near Rana and kill him. However, the action itself doesn’t disappoint as it’s far more authentic and visceral than most traditional action movies and includes some of the most original killing blows imaginable, such as Kid biting the handle of a knife to press its blade into a man’s neck while they’re claustrophobically entangled in an elevator.
Unlike John Wick, Kid also fails to kill Rana with the handgun he purchases and never attempts to use firearms again after that instance. Instead, he uses his fists until he comes across any ordinary items as impromptu instruments, which are alreadymatch-made forSifu’s action cinema-inspired gameplay.
A Sifu Sequel or Successor Needs to Understand the Raw Emotion of Monkey Man
Monkey Mandefinitely isn’t the only action movie where empathy toward the protagonist and their plight is vital. Still, the fact that it takes a risk by putting a huge lul between its initial and final Kings infiltrations for Kid to recover and train is narratively and emotionally impactful, let alone necessary for the storytelling to be as meaningful as it is.
Interestingly,Sifunever offers that respite to players. The story always looms and each boss is central to the ongoing goal of the protagonist; yet, the story can easily fall to the back burner with arresting gameplay beingSifu’s sole takeaway. In a sequel, it would be phenomenal to seeSifu’s Detective Board interactionsextrapolated more with gameplay where players could explore and immerse themselves in more than a lone hub.
If aSifusequel stripped combat away for as long asMonkey Mandoes, it would allow for a greater appreciation of the story, protagonist, and combat itself when enough distance is put between it and the player.
Of course,part ofSifu’s charm is developing a mastery of its elaborate combat. But if for even a single scripted sequence players were whisked away from the repetition of battling enemies it could provide much more depth and attention to everything else the game has in store.
Sifu
WHERE TO PLAY
Itching for some more good ol' Kung Fu action? The Arenas free expansion adds an entirely new game mode, featuring 15 dynamic locations and 120 challenges that will put your Kung Fu to the test! Gear up for spectacular combats, brutal opponents, and endless opportunities to refine your moves. Is one life enough to know Kung Fu?Whether you choose to play as a male or a female character, in Sifu, you will ponder that question on your path for revenge, hunting down your family’s assassins. One against all, you have no allies, countless enemies, and a mysterious amulet to bring you back to life every time you die. Yet, be warned! Your secret weapon comes with a hefty price to pay: aging and its consequences.Learning by fireYour enemies don’t wait their turn, and they don’t broadcast their intent. Dodge, parry, strike, use combos and be like water making its way through captivating environments. Learn how to master your art, whether by fighting through the underbelly of a nightclub, scrambling through a refined gallery to avoid getting surrounded, or vertically navigating a towering office building.Adaptation is survivalCareful positioning and clever use of the environment to your advantage are key to your survival. Use everything at your disposal: throwable objects, makeshift weapons, windows, and ledges. The odds are stacked against you, and you will be offered no mercy.Training never endsKung Fu is mastery through practice, a path for both the body and the mind. Learn from your errors, unlock unique skills, and find the strength within yourself to master the devastating techniques of Pak-Mei Kung Fu.
