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. 

Set across various locations in the city, from rooftops in the slums of the city, filled with dealers and junkies, to the immaculate rooms of a contemporary art museum and set to a fiery soundtrack, Sifu gives you 24 hours to enact your revenge for the death of your family.

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. 

Developer and publisher Sloclap released two brand-new gameplay videos for its Kung Fu action game Sifu, revealing in-depth information on the game’s combat and progression systems during today’s Sony spotlight on the PlayStation blog.

Additionally, Sloclap revealed that it has moved Sifu’s launch date up by two weeks to Feb. 8 for both PlayStation consoles and PC (Epic Games Store) so that fans can enjoy playing Sifu ahead of an incredibly big month for highly anticipated AAA releases. Sifu is currently approaching gold master status and the game will be polished and ship-ready ahead of its previously communicated launch date.

Sifu’s main inspiration comes from classic Kung Fu fighting movies, and nowhere is that more apparent than the game’s fighting. In today’s newly released combat video, players get a detailed look at throwing blows, countering attacks and strategies they can use to avoid or survive an onslaught. Sifu’s unique visual style promises a smooth 60fps across both platforms so players can get the most detailed look at the carnage they will reap upon their enemies.

Players must be focused, fast and skilled with their attacks to succeed in their quest, but building a great defense through mastering pushbacks, knock downs and stuns is just as important in combat. Attacks and parries open opportunities to strike efficiently once an enemy is knocked off balance, but careless players can be caught off guard during enemy attacks and lose their balance.

Environments in Sifu play a role in combat as well. Each area provides opportunities when confronting enemies - learning to improvise and adapt to surroundings can mean the difference between life and death. Additionally, Focus in combat is a useful tool players can possess in Sifu. Focus builds up as a powerful tool during fights, eventually allowing fighters to deliver a precise and devastating blow to a foe.

The second video revealed today during the Sony spotlight event takes would-be Sifus through the game’s progression systems, which are based on training and self improvement, and establishes the integral part death plays in their journey. Players carry an ancient pendant which allows them to rise up after death - at a cost. Fighters age with every death, but they also get the opportunity to spend XP on skills to come back stronger, wiser and/or tougher. 

But as players age through death, they gradually exchange maximum health for offensive power. The character model also ages, spurring fighters to contemplate the consequences of their actions. But getting older has no detrimental drawbacks on abilities; players are able to complete the game regardless of their character’s age.

Skills can also be unlocked whenever players are in their Wuguan (a Kung Fu training facility which is accessible between missions) or at Shrines found throughout levels. Shrines allow improvements during runs by offering choices between perks, each tied to a different cost or requirement. Along with skills, perks allow the hero to specialize in a particular trait of their choice, offering boosts in health, additional focus charges, an improved structure meter for blocking attacks, improved weapon durability, and other advantages.

As players continue their quest for revenge, they can access a detective board which tracks information gathered in their journey - details on enemies, their locations and key information about weapons and shortcuts will help narrow down the search for adversaries.

Kung Fu is a path for 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. Your family’s legacy depends on it. 

Key Features:

• On the path of vengeance: The hunt for the assassins will take you through the hidden corners of the city, from the gang-ridden suburbs to the cold hallways of the corporate towers.  You have got one day, and countless enemies on your way. Time will be the price to pay.
• Adaptation is the way: Careful 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 ends: Kung Fu is a path for 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.

Sifu is coming to PC (Epic Games Store), PS4 and PS5 in February 8, 2022 at $39.99.