![]() Being able to shift the balance of power by making smart use of what's around you is inherently gratifying. It's exciting to know that these options will only expand in the full game as the locations change. Glass bottles are a frequent and easily accessible weapon in a nightclub, and sweeping an enemy off their feet by kicking an ottoman towards them will never not be fun. ![]() Each fight feels unique due to the layout and placement of different objects, and that's just taking into account a single level. You might hop over a coach to create separation or isolate a single enemy scale a nearby wall to reach the mezzanine and engage your foes from the top of a staircase or launch an unfortunate soul through a partition before using a broken piece of its wood as a makeshift weapon. Devastating flurries are seamlessly chained together, flowing naturally into parries and throws, while contextual actions turn the environment into more than just a simple backdrop for kung fu action.īeing aware of your surroundings is a key aspect to surviving Sifu's punishing fisticuffs. It's not overly flashy, but the sense of impact behind each animation effectively conveys how dangerous Pak Mei can be in the right hands. This is evident after a few short minutes with Sifu, as its lightning-fast strikes connect with wince-inducing ferocity. While some styles of kung fu are designed for show, Pak Mei is focused on putting your attacker on the ground and ensuring that they stay there. Slocap has its own Pak Mei expert in fight choreographer Benjamin Colussi, who spent his youth practicing the style under a Chinese master before opening his own martial arts school in Paris. This all begins and ends with the martial art of Pak Mei, an aggressive style of kung fu that's adopted by Sifu's protagonist. You'll barely scrape by in most encounters, even when utilizing the full potential of your fighting skills, awareness of the environment, and ingenuity. Sifu's combat is grounded in reality by comparison. Playing as the caped crusader is an exhilarating power fantasy: The glowing blue counter indicator provides a safety net that requires reactions more than anything else-and having access to a utility belt's worth of gadgets is certainly welcome. The similarities basically end there, though. This is the case in most games, of course, and at first glance, the setup for Sifu's brawls looks reminiscent of the Batman: Arkham games. Much like the martial arts movies that inspired it, Sifu often positions you as a lone fighter facing off against an overwhelming number of foes. I swiftly dispatch the lone bouncer on the door with a few incisive strikes, but things aren't quite as smooth once I descend into the club's busy underbelly.īy clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's A thumping soundtrack emanates from the pulsating DJ booth positioned at the head of the dancefloor, while a secret fight club is tucked away in the basement for those with exclusive access. ![]() ![]() ![]() The hands-on preview build we were given only features a small slice of what's to come when the full game releases in February, yet this is still more than enough to showcase the depth and potential brilliance of Sifu's hand-to-hand action.Ī back alley nightclub provides the setting for this single-level preview, its ambience shifting as you move between neon-lit social areas and dim backstage corridors. At least, that's the impression I took away after playing the demanding brawler for the first time. It's a fitting name for developer Sloclap's upcoming beat-'em-up, not just because of the game's kung fu stylings, but also because Sifu demands a mastery of its combat if you're to have any hope of reaching its conclusion. For those wondering where the title comes from, "Sifu" is a Chinese honorific meaning "master"-much like the more well-known "sensei" from Japanese culture. ![]()
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