After reaching major checkpoints, players can search for keys that bypass entire sections of levels or even skip right to a boss. This can be disheartening after being stuck for a couple of hours, but patience is rewarded, and time respected.

Similar to Dark Souls, repetition is intentional, because the controls and enemies take time to learn. Situational awareness is critical as well, since players can pick up weapons and items strewn around rooms to stun enemies, as well as knock enemies into walls or each other. Points earned by chaining attacks together can be spent to improve attributes like Structure and Focus, which improves the player's block and fills a special meter for powerful, unstoppable attacks. There's a default list of combos to master, but more can be earned from defeating foes for experience points. Learning how they attack and counter is essential for exploiting openings and using these tactics against opponents.

Instead of moving only from left to right, players navigate spaces in Sifu where they can slide, run, and vault in any direction, turning play into an exhilarating, action-packed brawler as gamers fend off people with assorted fighting styles. This martial arts action-adventure title isn't like most fighting games.

Sifu or shifu