Sifu is out today on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and with the simultaneous launch of the new Arena mode, it’s the perfect time to try out this unique martial arts beat ’em up. With high-skill action combat and a unique mechanic that sees your character age every time they’re killed, there’s nothing quite like it.
We took the opportunity to speak to Pierre Tarno, Executive Producer at Sloclap, the Parisian studio behind the game. He told us more about how Sifu came into being, its success… and its future.
As it was Sifu born?
We owe the idea of the title to my partner Jordan Layani, who practices kung fu and is a big fan of martial arts movies. We wanted to take inspiration from Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan films in this particular use of the environment, although we can’t say we kept the same action-comedy tone. Then the title also tries to answer a philosophical question: is a single life enough to master kung fu? This question led to the concept of the main character aging, which makes the game so original.
Would you risk leaning into this genre, which is less popular today than it was a few decades ago?
If you’re an independent studio, you can afford to take a few more risks. We didn’t do a market study to see what segment of players and fans of martial arts movies would be interested in our game… Instead, we started from the premise that a game has to be very good for it to work commercially Good. And we were optimistic too, because ultimately this genre isn’t well represented in the video game landscape. Bare-handed 3D beat ’em-ups that also rely on the use of the environment are rare, so we knew our game would find its audience. If we had decided to do an FPS, things would have been more complicated…
Her first title, Absolver, already involved a lot of hand-to-hand combat Sifu an inheritance of it?
With Absolver we got some experience with action games: how the enemies collide during a fight, how to manage the distance between you and your opponents… But where Absolver focused on online multiplayer, Sifu is a single-player game only, and where Absolver excelled in one-on-one, Sifu was really designed to let you go it alone against everyone. So I would say, yes, we learned a lot from our first game, but there are also a lot of elements that we had to change and reinvent.
From the very first trailers, Sifu attracted a lot of attention – what was your reaction?
It’s always nice to feel that a creative intent is resonating with the public and that it’s something very difficult, if not impossible, to predict. So it was very comforting; We felt like we were creating something that would appeal to a certain number of players, it was very motivating for the team.
And how did that play out when the game was available?
When it was released in 2022, the title’s difficulty might have been too high, which could cause some frustration. On the other hand, we’ve also seen some people play through the game like no one else in the studio can, like… players completing it without taking a single hit. That’s why in our first update we created the less difficult “Student” mode, but also added the “Master” level, a higher level of difficulty. Later, through other updates, we added gameplay modifiers that let you customize the experience, the replay editor that lets you create your own martial arts shorts, and now Arena mode that further enriches the game.
What can we expect in this new game mode?
It is a storyline-independent mode that you can start after completing the prologue and that also serves as a tutorial. At launch, nine original arenas inspired by the campaign levels await you in which to complete challenges. Some of them relate to your performance, the character’s age. A total of five different types of challenges are available. It’s a way to rediscover game mechanics in new environments with new objectives and varied gameplay. If you would like SifuI think you will enjoy the feeling of progressing, improving and unlocking the next levels.
What can we expect and hope for in the future from Sloclap?
Another update is already planned for Arena mode, with additional arenas to be released in a few months. At the same time, part of the team is already working on our third project and as soon as we finish it Sifuwe start the design phase for a fourth project.
A final word for our readers?
I just want to thank all the players who believed in this Sifuwho have supported us, who have spoken about us on social networks or with their friends and who have become ambassadors for the game. We did it for you, thank you.
And it’s our turn to thank Pierre Tarno for taking the time to answer our questions. Sifu is now available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Sifu
Sloclap, Kepler Interactive
$39.99
Sifu lands on Xbox with a huge content update. The Arenas free expansion adds a whole new game mode with 9 dynamic locations and 45 challenges that will put your kung fu to the test! Get ready for spectacular combat, brutal enemies, and endless opportunities to hone your moves. Is one lifetime enough to have kung fu? Whether you play as a male or female character, in Sifu you will ponder this question on your way to revenge and hunt down your family’s assassins. One against all, you have no allies, countless enemies and a mysterious amulet that brings you back to life every time you die. However, be warned! Their secret weapon comes at a high price: aging and its consequences. Learning by Fire Your enemies don’t wait their turn, and they don’t announce their intent. Dodge, parry, strike, use combos and be like water making its way through immersive environments. Learn to master your art, whether it’s fighting your way through the underbelly of a nightclub, crawling through a slick gallery to avoid being surrounded, or navigating vertically through a towering office building. Adaptation is Survival Careful positioning and using the environment to your advantage are key to your survival. Use everything at your disposal: throwables, makeshift weapons, windows and ledges… the odds are against you and you will be offered no mercy. Training Never Ends Kung Fu is mastery through practice, a journey of mind and body. Learn from your mistakes, unlock unique abilities, and find the power to master the devastating techniques of Pak Mei Kung Fu.