The developers of Absolver return with another martial arts-inspired action game with Sifu, a challenging rogue-like where protagonist ages every time they die. The gameplay and its progression are unique and fall somewhere between FromSoft's Sekiro and Supermassive's Hades.

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However, Sifu's martial arts roots and influences are clear with lots of allusions to classic Kung Fu movies that fans of the genre will love. Thankfully, other great games focus on Kung Fu and borrow from some of the most influential Hong Kong action movies of all time. This list puts together some of the best Kung Fu-inspired games available across several platforms.

8 Absolver

Fighting an enemy in Absolver
  • Released: 2017
  • Developer: Sloclap
  • Platform: PC, PS4, and Xbox One

Before Sifu, developer Sloclap released Absolver an action RPG that merged single-player and online multiplayer elements into a martial arts game. The visual style will be familiar to fans of Sifu and the passion for martial arts is very evident.

The beauty of Absolver is that players can customize their movesets and switch between four fighting stances. Moreover, the easy-to-pick-up fighting system hides layers of depth that reveal themselves the farther the player gets into the game.

7 Fist Of The North Star: Lost Paradise

Fist of the North Star - Kenshiro facing off against bad guys
  • Released: 2018
  • Developer: Ryu Ga Gotaku Studio
  • Platform: PS4

Developed by the same studio that created the Yakuza series, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise is arguably the best game based on the franchise. It uses the same engine as the aforementioned Yakuza series but injects it with anime-style kung fu inspired by Bruce Lee's hybrid Kung Fu style Jeet Kun Do.

The fighting system is far more forgiving than Sifu but the brutality and speed will please fans of Kung Fu and martial arts in general. As with its sister series, Fist of the North Star's combat system is reminiscent of classic beat-em-ups of the 80s and 90s.

6 9 Monkeys Of Shaolin

Protagonist using the Staff
  • Released: 2020
  • Developer: Sobaka Studio
  • Platform: Linux, macOS, PC, PS4, and Xbox One

Where the games developed by the Yakuza studio are reminiscent of arcade beat-em-ups, 9 Monkeys of Shaolin fully embraces the past with this side-scrolling fighting epic. In addition to coin-op classics, 9 Monkeys is inspired by classic fantasy Kung Fu movies from the 1970s.

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It's backed up by a beautiful art style and fluid combat that martial arts fans will love. Fans of co-op classics should know that 9 Monkeys can be played cooperatively or as a one-person Kung Fu machine laying waste to hundreds of bad guys solo.

5 God Hand

Pummelling a boss during a quick time event
  • Released: 2006
  • Developer: Clover Studio
  • Platform: PS2

Released in 2006, Godhand is a martial arts game created by the same studio that created Okami and Viewtiful Joe. It takes inspiration from Manga and anime like the Fist of the North Star franchise.

The combat is wacky and hilarious but the system is so well executed that fans of Kung Fu will never tire of beating up its hilarious cast of rogues and villains. It offers various fighting styles including the Drunken Master style which flows seamlessly with its accessible but deep combo system.

4 The Judgment Series

Fighting enemies in Lost Judgment
  • Released: 2018 and 2021
  • Developer: Ryu Ga Gotaku Studio
  • Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

As a sister series to the Yakuza franchise, Judgment and its sequel Lost Judgment is set in the same universe. Despite being set in the streets of Tokyo its combat system uses Kung Fu martial arts styles like Crane, Tiger, and Snake.

Once again, it takes inspiration from classic arcade beat-em-ups like Streets of Rage. However, the Judgment series is arguably the best real-time fighting system the studio has produced. Moreover, fans that enjoyed the detective aspect of Sifu will love stepping into the shoes of private detective Takayuki Yagami as he solves crimes and beats up bad guys on the streets.

3 Jade Empire

jade empire gameplay
  • Released:
  • Developer: BioWare
  • Platform: Android, iOS, macOS, PC, and Xbox

As one of BioWare's last experiments, Jade Empire is looked upon fondly by fans hoping that the developer will return to expand it as a series. The game uses a similar morality system to Knights of the Old Republic but incorporates Chinese mythology and martial arts with its "Open Palm" and "Closed Fist" choice mechanics.

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Unlike KoToR, the combat systems in Jade Empire are in real-time. The fighting styles and animations are based on Hong Kong superstars Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Michelle Yeoh. The system is easy to pick up and a treat for martial arts fans that love stories influenced by Chinese legends.

2 Jet Li: Rise To Honor

Jet Li fighting villains in Rise to Honor
  • Released: 2004
  • Developer: Foster City Studio
  • Platform: PS2

Released exclusively for the PS2, Jet Li: Rise To Honor features the likeness and motion capture provided by martial arts superstar Jet Li. The beat-em-up was unique at the time of its release for using fully 360-degree combat that implemented the analog sticks of the PS2 controller.

Rise to Honor is presented more like an interactive movie right down to its character progression. Furthermore, it's not as harsh or unforgiving as Sifu but still challenging enough that it places importance on timing and quick thinking. There are lots of allusions to Li's movies as well as bullet-time shooting mechanics that echo the classic John Woo Hong Kong action movies starring Chow Yun-fat.

1 Sleeping Dogs

Wei Shen taking out scores of bad guys on the streets on Hong Kong
  • Released: 2012
  • Developer: United Front Games
  • Platform: macOS, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One

Far more than just another GTA clone, Sleeping Dogs is the love letter to Hong Kong action movies that Sifu fans should invest in. Just like the aforementioned Jet Li's Rise to Honor, it features allusions to several Kung Fu movies that feature Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Bruce Lee, and Chow Yun-fat.

The combat uses a multi-directional system that's similar to the Batman Arkham games and Sifu. Sleeping Dogs is brutal, fast, and fluid, and like Sifu makes the player feel like they are part of a Hong Kong action movie. This extends to the gunplay that borrows from John Woo's trademark "Gun Fu" action sequences.

The story and Hong Kong setting featuring an undercover cop infiltrating the Triads is thrilling from start to end. Furthermore, its solid script is backed up by a talented voice cast that includes Will Yun Lee (Altered Carbon), Emma Stone (The Amazing Spider-Man), and Tom Wilkinson (Batman Begins). Martial Arts fans will also love the Zodiac Tournament, an in-game competition inspired by Bruce Lee's iconic movie Enter the Dragon.

Sifu is available now for the PC, PS4, and PS5

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