Sloclap’s Sifu takes the combat concepts introduced in its previous title, Absolver, and ramps things up even more. Now, players get the chance to control every aspect of the protagonist’s movements in a story-driven martial arts experience that is equal parts rougelike and revenge story. The game is unique because each boss offers a challenging experience for the player to overcome through trial and error. That said, some enemies may seem tougher than others and require a detailed look at their movements along with the proper moves to edge out a victory.
Sifu follows a young student, executed after watching their master being killed by a former student. However, thanks to a collection of magic talismans, the child rose from the dead, at the cost of a year of his life. The student trained in marital arts for the next eight years, getting stronger to exact revenge on the people that tore their life apart. The first enemy the student faced was The Botanist in The Stacks. Their next target is The Fighter, aka Sean, who runs a nightclub containing an underground fight club. The student battles their way through the club and faces a series of three trials leading to Sean. However, for players to be prepared, they will need particular moves and upgrades to ensure victory.
Before entering the battle, players may want to heed a couple of shortcuts and opportunities that arise. For example, after running through the level once, players will find a keycard. This will give them access to the room before the trials from the main nightclub arena. After beating the special enemy, the room will be on the far-right corner from the entrance. From this point, players have the option to choose upgrade and gain rewards from three jade dragon totems. First, players will want to ensure they have an upgrade that gives them additional focus after every avoid or parry. Two focus bars would be ideal. Second, it’s best to unlock the Strong Sweep move, which costs two focus bars, but is worth the free damage.
Ideally, a player can reach the final boss by age 23, but it’s best not to go past age 35, if possible. After accessing a third and final upgrade point, Sean will appear with a staff. His first phase is intimidating, as he puts on a lot of pressure, but dodging is the best way to counter this. Successful dodging should leave him open to combo strings. During the first phase, he only hits high, so it’s easy to move out of the way and hit him or use a Strong Sweep and ground attack to raise his structure bar. A staff isn’t needed to beat him; in fact, fists may be the most direct route. It’s important not to worry too much about losing health as well, because when the first finisher is activated, the second phase starts with the player getting a full health bar.
In phase two, Sean gets a power boost as his dojo and staff ignite in flame, giving him a burning buff. The same process of dodging applies, but players must place careful attention on his attacks as he can now hit low. He also has certain two-hit combos that trap the player into a hit. Getting close will also be harder as most of his combos have him backing up. That said, it’s crucial to save any focus attacks for the second half of the phase since he will be tougher to hit. The Strong Sweep keeps the pace of the fight at the player’s discretion and gives the player the opportunity to inflict free damage when he’s on the ground.
When defeated, players can either kill him with a finisher or spare him, like the previous boss. However, the real key to victory in the level lies in constant dodging. When using the shortcut, it is possible for players to reach Sean without dying. That said, should the player die, they can spare a few deaths depending on how high the hit counter is. The whole level is more aggressive and intimidating than the last. Still, when stripped to its foundation, it’s no more difficult than the previous enemy and perhaps even easier to complete once Sean’s combos are understood.
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