SIFU: PS5 Review 

Developer: Sloclap
Published by Sloclap
Platform: PS5 

The simplicity of the presentation of SIFU belies its toughness and its engaging nature.

Starting with an attack on a martial arts school seemingly led by you the protagonist, SIFU swaps around to reveal its intentions - you play the son (or daughter) of the murdered head of the school, intent on revenge for the massacre.

With five kung-fu masters to take down as the game progresses, Sifu wears its revenge storyline on its immaculately presented sleeve. With combat proving to be slightly tough if you can't master the differing skills on offer, Sifu is not always a game that makes it easy to play, as you try to string combinations together.

But when they do land, they land well. The PS5's controller positively crunches with the sound of combat, delivering each perfectly-landed punch with a thudding noise emanating from it. 

Admittedly staring off in the game, it's hard to know all the buttons to press as you're thrown straight into the storyline. A combination of button-mashing may get you through initially but it's a frustrating experience to be sure.

Thankfully, the opening titles give some more clarity to what's required, and more emphasis on how the combat system relies on structure. A structure metre gives an indication of the phasing of attacks and the AI is relentlessly punishing as well.

However, perseverance with Sifu pays its own dividends and when the game clicks together and it all flows, it's an endlessly engaging brawler, with familiar elements, but with a difficulty level that ensures it feels as rewarding as it is punishing.