The developers ofAbsolverreturn with another martial arts-inspired action game withSifu, a challenging rogue-like where protagonist ages every time they die. The gameplay and its progression are unique and fall somewhere between FromSoft’sSekiroand Supermassive’sHades.
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However,Sifu’s martial arts rootsand influences are clear with lots of allusions to classic Kung Fu movies that fans of the genre will love. Thankfully, other great games focus on Kung Fu and borrow from some of the most influential Hong Kong action movies of all time. This list puts together some of the best Kung Fu-inspired games available across several platforms.
8Absolver
BeforeSifu,developerSloclap releasedAbsolveran action RPG that merged single-player and online multiplayer elements into a martial arts game. The visual style will be familiar to fans ofSifuand the passion for martial arts is very evident.
The beauty ofAbsolveris that players can customize their movesets and switch between four fighting stances. Moreover, the easy-to-pick-up fighting system hides layers of depth that reveal themselves the farther the player gets into the game.
7Fist Of The North Star: Lost Paradise
Developed by the same studio that created theYakuzaseries,Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradiseis arguably the best game based on the franchise. It uses the same engine as the aforementionedYakuzaseries but injects it with anime-style kung fu inspired by Bruce Lee’s hybrid Kung Fu style Jeet Kun Do.
The fighting system is far more forgiving thanSifubut the brutality and speed will please fans of Kung Fu and martial arts in general. As with its sister series,Fist of the North Star’s combat system is reminiscent of classic beat-em-ups of the 80s and 90s.
69 Monkeys Of Shaolin
Where the games developed by theYakuzastudio are reminiscent of arcade beat-em-ups,9 Monkeys of Shaolinfully embraces the past with this side-scrolling fighting epic. In addition to coin-op classics,9 Monkeysis inspired by classic fantasy Kung Fu movies from the 1970s.
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It’s backed up by a beautiful art style and fluid combat that martial arts fans will love. Fans of co-op classics should know that9 Monkeys canbe played cooperatively or as a one-person Kung Fu machine laying waste to hundreds of bad guys solo.
5God Hand
Released in 2006,Godhandis a martial arts game created by the same studio that createdOkamiandViewtiful Joe.It takes inspiration from Manga and anime like theFist of the North Starfranchise.
The combat is wacky and hilarious but the system is so well executed that fans of Kung Fu will never tire of beating up its hilarious cast of rogues and villains. It offers various fighting styles including the Drunken Master style which flows seamlessly with its accessible but deep combo system.
4The Judgment Series
As a sister series totheYakuzafranchise,Judgmentand its sequelLost Judgmentis set in the same universe. Despite being set in the streets of Tokyo its combat system uses Kung Fu martial arts styles like Crane, Tiger, and Snake.
Once again, it takes inspiration from classic arcade beat-em-ups likeStreets of Rage. However, theJudgmentseries is arguably the best real-time fighting system the studio has produced. Moreover, fans that enjoyed the detective aspect ofSifuwill love stepping into the shoes of private detective Takayuki Yagami as he solves crimes and beats up bad guys on the streets.
3Jade Empire
As one of BioWare’s last experiments,Jade Empireislooked upon fondly by fanshoping that the developer will return to expand it as a series. The game uses a similar morality system toKnights of the Old Republicbut incorporates Chinese mythology and martial arts with its “Open Palm” and “Closed Fist” choice mechanics.
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UnlikeKoToR,the combat systems inJade Empireare in real-time. The fighting styles and animations are based on Hong Kong superstars Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Michelle Yeoh. The system is easy to pick up and a treat for martial arts fans that love stories influenced by Chinese legends.
2Jet Li: Rise To Honor
Released exclusively for the PS2,Jet Li: Rise To Honorfeatures the likeness and motion capture provided by martial arts superstar Jet Li. The beat-em-up was unique at the time of its release for using fully 360-degree combat that implemented the analog sticks of the PS2 controller.
Rise to Honoris presented more like an interactive movie right down to its character progression. Furthermore, it’snot as harsh or unforgiving asSifubut still challenging enough that it places importance on timing and quick thinking. There are lots of allusions to Li’s movies as well as bullet-time shooting mechanics that echo the classic John Woo Hong Kong action movies starring Chow Yun-fat.
1Sleeping Dogs
Far more than just another GTA clone,Sleeping Dogsis the love letter to Hong Kong action movies thatSifufans should invest in. Just like the aforementionedJet Li’s Rise to Honor,it features allusions to several Kung Fu movies that feature Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Bruce Lee, and Chow Yun-fat.
The combat uses a multi-directional system that’s similar to theBatman Arkhamgames andSifu.Sleeping Dogsis brutal, fast, and fluid, and likeSifumakes the player feel like they are part of a Hong Kong action movie. This extends to the gunplay that borrows from John Woo’s trademark “Gun Fu” action sequences.
The story and Hong Kong setting featuring an undercover cop infiltrating the Triads is thrilling from start to end. Furthermore, its solid script is backed up by a talented voice cast that includes Will Yun Lee (Altered Carbon), Emma Stone (The Amazing Spider-Man), and Tom Wilkinson (Batman Begins). Martial Arts fans will also love the Zodiac Tournament, an in-game competition inspired by Bruce Lee’s iconic movieEnter the Dragon.
Sifuis available now for the PC, PS4, and PS5
