Sifu Reviews
Overall, I was pretty disappointed with Sifu. I know that it’s an excellent game. The combat is tight, feels really fluid, and is going to provide a nice challenge for people who want one. However, its gameplay loop and punishing aging system and multiplier, mixed with a lack of proper training and tutorial elements, ruined whatever enjoyment I felt at the start.
Despite an excellent combat system and intriguing world design, Sifu falls too short of its premise. Regardless of whether you’re playing it casually or going harder, the death mechanic is simply too punishing to be enjoyable. Perhaps with a fairer system, this would make for a better game.
Mastering Sifu's combat system takes a high degree of dedication and practice, but like a true martial artist, you must push through the practice pains before you reap any rewards.
Despite its camera problems during certain fights, the difficulty which increases without any warning and the repetitive side of the levels, Sifu remains one of the only titles to offer such realistic fights. The developers also offer a very beautiful artistic direction which allows the game to stand out on the market. If the experience is clearly not intended for casual players, the proposed challenge should satisfy those accustomed to this style of play while using the features of your Dualsense on PS5.
Review in French | Read full review
With a high barrier to entry and not much of a story to tell, Sifu is going to have a limited audience. That audience will love it, but a lot of curious onlookers will be turned away at the door.
Sifu is a successful game whose biggest problem may be a very high level of difficulty. If you are not afraid of challenges and fights that may resemble grind - check it out boldly. The impatient may have a slightly bigger problem.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Sifu is a difficult game, requiring you to master its complex combat in order to enact your revenge. But it could have used a bit more training before entering the arena.
Sifu has an extremely high skill ceiling and very deep gameplay, paired wonderfully with stylized visuals and great art. The gameplay is extremely refined, but Sifu's narrative just feels unfinished as a whole, and could have been the difference from Sifu being a lot more than what it is.
Sifu is a difficult game, and not always by design. But when the combat clicks, there are few games that make you feel so badass.
Sifu is a real gem with an astonishing and technical combat system that only few can master. It is undoubtedly a really hardcore game, suitable for those who love only though challenges.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despite the many small criticisms in detail, Sifu is a really good game, but not necessarily aimed at everyone. The target audience should love challenges and be able to handle gaming frustration. The super easy difficulty level should be accessible to more gamers, but honestly didn't really pick me up. You could get through it without having any major problems. The levels are really beautifully designed and the battle system is absolutely successful. It's just incredibly fun to master the buttons and complete sections almost perfectly and destroy the enemies completely. The story is honestly an absolute minor matter, but offers some fun characters and connections. Sifu is a little gem whose color may not appeal to everyone, but is definitely worth a first and second look if you're ever looking for a challenging title for your console.
Review in German | Read full review
This is the best beat-’em-up game I’ve played since Streets of Rage 4, and I cheesed through that too.
While the story itself will never be enough to compel you forward, there is a sense of connection in watching your character get older while figuring out the intricacies of how Sifu plays. That's ultimately what makes its punchy and punishing gameplay all the more satisfying.
Despite its ups and downs, Sifu is a game that will satisfy those looking for an extra challenge.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Sifu is a solid action game. The kung fu techniques were a treat for the eyes, combat is fluid and fun, the main character designs and environments were beautiful, and the difficulty felt just right. Add in the great soundtrack and sound effects, and you got a pretty good package. Unfortunately, the game is held back by some visual issues, a short length, and low replayability. If you’re a kung fu enthusiast, or a big fan of action games with a good amount of difficulty, I think the game is worth the $39.99. However, if you’re looking for a game you can play long after you finish the main stages, you may want to look somewhere else.
It's the one of the most challenging game to complete because players must build up their own control skills instead of leveling up their characters. It is a little disappointing not to considerate keyboard users.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Boasting an impressive combat system, Sifu excels in the gameplay department but some minor issues and the camera drag it down a bit from fulfilling its potential. Nonetheless a great beat-em-up with its unique concept coupled with impressive art direction.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
My view on Sifu is so complicated. Sloclap clearly has a lot of talent and their team has made something special on the pure gameplay side of things, although some decisions have been a bit misguided. Even with the best intentions, the impact is clear. We need to be more thoughtful with the stories that we tell and I hope that Sloclap takes this moment to listen rather than push away. Utilizing imagery of a culture carelessly is a bad look through and through, particularly in a time when members of the AAPI community are facing unprecedented harassment and violence. Ultimately, it's your decision to buy this game or not. I loved a lot about Sifu, in learning and growing through its death mechanics; in its musical and visual artistry; and in its deeply satisfying combat systems. But we can't ignore the conversation surrounding the game and its impact on the communities it claims to represent.
Sifu is a master of hand-to-hand combat, injecting its kung-fu showdowns with exhilarating fluidity, tactical depth and cinematic scale. Its structure is harder to fully embrace, though, as it demands a lot of repetitious dedication to even reach the final stages. At times that feels needlessly punishing, but the thrill of the fight should help pull you through.