The best kung fu games

Key insights

• Video games are based on Hong Kong and kung fu films for different martial arts styles.
• Games like
  Shenmue
  And
  Jet Li's rise to honor
  offer immersive kung fu fighting experiences.
• Sifu
  presents a challenging roguelike experience with a unique aging system for mastering kung fu skills.

Hong Kong and Kung fu films have inspired many fighting games. Whether implemented in one-on-one combat or action RPGs, video games are the perfect platform to recreate the fantasy of beating up bad guys using a variety of fighting styles that fall under the Kung Fu umbrella.

Like the films, it is a fast and fluid martial arts style that translates well to video games and is based on many styles and forms of Kung Fu, be it the form of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kun Do or Jet Li's Wushu. Some of them are listed in this list the best games that use kung fu styles in their fights.

8 Shenmue (series)

A sprawling action-adventure featuring multiple martial arts styles

Shenmue is a classic action-adventure game created on the Sega Dreamcast that was ahead of its time due to its exploration, interactivity and social simulation elements. However, the crux of it all is Shenmue is a classic revenge martial arts action story. The protagonist Ryo's father is murdered by a kung fu master named Lan Di, all over an artifact called the Dragon Mirror.

This sets Ryo on a quest for revenge, but Ryo's skills as a karate practitioner alone are not enough to defeat the dangerous Lan Di. Along the way, he meets martial artists who teach him skills based on Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and more. His repertoire will expand further when he comes to Hong Kong in 2019 Shenmue 2.

7 Judgment and lost judgment

Detective thrillers set in the Yakuza universe

Verdict and its sequel Lost judgment are spin-offs of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series and are set in the same city as Kamurocho. Both Verdict The games are detective thrillers in which players take on the role of Takayuki Yagami, an honest but tough private detective embroiled in crime and conspiracies involving the yakuza and corruption.

The combat is similar to that Yakuza games, but Yagami uses a kung fu style that uses the stances of a crane, snake, and tiger and refuses to use knives, swords, or guns. The system is faster and more acrobatic than the fighting styles used within it Yakuza Series that has its roots in karate. Although Yagami learned the techniques from his father, he called his method the “Kamurocho style,” and refined his techniques on the street. However, Yagami uses many moves and styles associated with the Kung Fu style, such as the flying cross kick, Wing Chun style rush attacks, and more.

6 graduate

A complex fighter who combines martial arts styles

• platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
• developer: Bitch
• Released: 2017

graduate is an action-adventure game with a dynamic martial arts system. Players can integrate various martial arts disciplines that reflect Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do philosophy into a cohesive system that is effective in combat. It's a complex game with a steep learning curve but ultimately rewarding gameplay.

Players build on preset classes with combat decks to customize and develop a fighting style that suits them. The difficulty level is comparable to a Soulslike with its strange world, but graduate has its own identity. Absolvers The replay value lies in player-versus-player combat, where unique styles characterize each fight and skill always determines the winner.

5 Jackie Chan stunt master

A comedy beat-em-up/platformer hybrid

• Platform: PS1
• Developer: Radical entertainment
• Released: 2000

Jackie Chan stunt master is primarily a beat 'em up, but also includes platforming levels that showcase the legendary action star's daring stunt work in his films. Jackie Chan is a legendary kung fu star known for his work in Hong Kong films such as Police story And Snake in the eagle's shadow and like Hollywood blockbusters rush hour And Shanghai lunchtime.

Chan also starred in a popular animated series titled Jackie Chan's adventures. This game is more similar in tone to the animated series, but contains many death-defying platforming set pieces and fight scenes reminiscent of Jackie's films. The character models may seem blocky by modern standards, but the combat and animations remain impressive. The combat is snappy and satisfying, with Jackie Chan himself providing the motion capture and voice acting.

4 Jet Li's rise to honor

Fluid Directional Combat Mo-Caped by Jet Li

• Platform: PS2
• Developer: Foster City Studio
• Released: 2004

Jet Li's rise to honor is a single-player beat 'em up starring martial arts superstar Jet Li. Li's skillful Wushu techniques and moves, along with his likeness, were filmed using motion capture technology, creating an immersive experience similar to taking part in one of Li's Similar to Hong Kong kung fu films.

Instead of using the face buttons, players use the right analog stick to execute Jet Li's movements in any direction. It's an intuitive combat system that feels fluid and gives the game a true three-dimensional feel. Despite his age Rise to honor is a cinematic action game that becomes more and more challenging as the story progresses. Fans of Jet Li will also love the nods to his Hong Kong and Hollywood martial arts films From cradle to grave And Once upon a time in China.

3 Jade Empire

An RPG epic from BioWare

Jade Empire is a martial arts action role-playing game from BioWare, the makers of Knights of the Old Republic And Mass effect. The game uses an action-based combat system with a choice of six preset character classes. Jade Empire has a well-known cast, with Fireflies Nathan Fillion and Monty Python's John Cleese lends his voice to the game.

As is typical of a BioWare RPG, moral choices must be made for the player-selected characters, which affect how NPCs react and how the story unfolds. Jade Empire Uses a fantasy setting based on Chinese mythology and the fighting styles are based on Kung-Fu, with melee, weapon and magic options. Unlike BioWare's previous titles, the battles take place in real time, effectively capturing the essence of the martial arts films that served as inspiration.

2 Sifu

A challenging roguelike and a tribute to martial arts cinema

With a fast and fluid kung fu fighting system, Sifu is a challenging roguelike and beat 'em up game. Despite the high level of difficulty, the gaming experience improves the more players practice, even without the unlockable skills. Mastering the Sifu systems gives players a sense of achievement that few games can offer.

There is a unique aging system in which each time the protagonist dies, he returns to life a few years older, but has another chance to avenge his father's death. Aging is a double-edged sword Sifu. As an older martial artist, the protagonist has more combat skills and deals more damage, but also becomes more vulnerable as he ages. Luckily, players can spend experience points to acquire their favorite skills without permanently losing them upon death. There's also an element of Metroidvania level design, as players can open shortcuts that make it easier to get to the level's final bosses and avoid the gangs of enemies blocking their path.

1 Sleeping dogs

The ultimate open world kung fu experience

Sleeping dogs is an open-world action and a spiritual successor to the True crime Series. It's a dramatic improvement over True crime in terms of the story, the characters and the great kung fu fighting system. The combat system is similar to that Batman Arkham series, but is far more brutal, with bloody environmental attacks that look and feel satisfying to execute.

Players take on the role of Wei Shen, a San Francisco police officer who goes undercover as a member of the Triads. Wei's kung fu style is primarily Wing Chun, but he can learn and combine multiple styles, such as Jeet Kun Do. There is even an homage to one of the most influential martial arts films, Enter the dragon starring Bruce Lee, with the Zodiac tournament taking place on a remote island, just like the tournament in the film. Other honorifics include allusions to Rumble in the Bronx, Ong Bak, Game of Death, Fist of Fury, and many more.