I always said that the two things that made this game great together was the overall gameplay of SIFU and the art direction. It’s just as beautiful as the combat, and I absolutely love it.
Very nice video, thanks for your analysis. I am an artist myself and I really love how Sifu make a gorgeos game through art direction and design despite it's relatively low budget
In a way, indie games like SIFU remind me of old games and feel like a true successors of the 90s/2000s era video-games. Back then, developers were limited by technology so they had to find ways to make their game look "good" (or in the case of some games as "realistic" as possible) without being uncanny. Intentional or not, it led to some some really cool and memorable aesthetics and overall visual direction. The original Silent Hill 2 is a great example of this. Not just the in-game graphics, but also the pre-rendered FMVs made by Takayoshi Sato - the overall visual style of those cutscenes is incredible (could be something you might want to check out :) ). Games like SIFU feel like they are taking all that but being even more conscious about it. IIRC, SloClap had a team of 80 people making this game, and were obviously limited for time and resources, so they couldn't make an epic story-heavy games with high production values. They instead take a more subdued and less direct approach of leveraging the artstyle to communicate various aspects of the story to you, as you beautifully explained. Everything about this game feels purposeful. Visual direction aside, it's so clear in its vision of being a game centred around the concept of mastery through practice (and death). And the way this game rewards your perseverance and patience, as the combat system opens up to you the better you get, and you are able to optimise your gameplay, is second to none. From being barely able to stay alive, to being able to execute high level strategies involving optimal punishment, crowd control, combo flowcharts etc. I have played the heck out of this game, and aside from the combat, the artstyle is my favourite aspect of this game. This isn't to say games shouldn't pursue "photorealism" but personally, a game that manages to walk a fine line between being realistic and stylised is the one that endures the test of time and can be appreciated for many years. Overall, fantastic analysis man. I'm glad to see this game the love and attention it deserves.
Couldn't agree more - those older 1990s/2000s games were quite simple in their execution, but I found it gave way for a lot emphasis on gameplay and often found creative solutions to technical constraints. I think you're right with Sifu being more conscious with it - choosing to be restrained in art style is what gives the games their distinct flavour, instead of striving for realism. Part of why this game has resonated so strongly with me is due to the incredible amount of focus it brings. Thanks for watching!
Hello, i just discovered your channel with that video. I'm a big fan of Sifu (not a great player tho). I love how you talk and that's pretty rare to find someone talking about the art in Sifu. I thinked the video was beautiful and i love the idea to go trought the paintings in the museum. I hope you make more of these, i'm certainly gonna watch your entire channel. Thank for talking about it. (please excuse me if i made mistakes in my writing i'm not a native english speaker)
Awesome video! it's just captivating hearing you precisely analyze the art direction of a game with great usage of environmental storytelling as Sifu Yes on the idea of the museum art pieces analysis And hoping to see your work in November
What kind of environment would you like to see me paint for the demo in November? 🎨
@@DanielAngArt Your own take in the Wu Xing idea that inspires every level design (your own level)
Keen to seen an analysis of the museum works. Feels like they tried to parody contemporary art and accidentally made some really cool art.
I don’t think it’s a parody. I think it’s a genuine attempt at what an artist like Kuroki would make if they could go all out.
I always said that the two things that made this game great together was the overall gameplay of SIFU and the art direction. It’s just as beautiful as the combat, and I absolutely love it.
I'm do happy the people who made Love Death Robots are making a Sifu inspired episode in a show called *Secret Level*
I can't wait - I wonder if they're going to use the game sound effects and other small touches too
@@DanielAngArtthe trailer for the episode is out now, as well as a sneak peek into a fight scene
@thenitpickchannel9993 Just seen it! It's a lot of fun. Considering making a small analysis of the episode.
Very nice video, thanks for your analysis. I am an artist myself and I really love how Sifu make a gorgeos game through art direction and design despite it's relatively low budget
Thanks for watching! Also very impressive considering it's Sloclap's second game. Can't wait to see what they make next 😁
In a way, indie games like SIFU remind me of old games and feel like a true successors of the 90s/2000s era video-games. Back then, developers were limited by technology so they had to find ways to make their game look "good" (or in the case of some games as "realistic" as possible) without being uncanny. Intentional or not, it led to some some really cool and memorable aesthetics and overall visual direction.
The original Silent Hill 2 is a great example of this. Not just the in-game graphics, but also the pre-rendered FMVs made by Takayoshi Sato - the overall visual style of those cutscenes is incredible (could be something you might want to check out :) ).
Games like SIFU feel like they are taking all that but being even more conscious about it. IIRC, SloClap had a team of 80 people making this game, and were obviously limited for time and resources, so they couldn't make an epic story-heavy games with high production values. They instead take a more subdued and less direct approach of leveraging the artstyle to communicate various aspects of the story to you, as you beautifully explained. Everything about this game feels purposeful. Visual direction aside, it's so clear in its vision of being a game centred around the concept of mastery through practice (and death). And the way this game rewards your perseverance and patience, as the combat system opens up to you the better you get, and you are able to optimise your gameplay, is second to none. From being barely able to stay alive, to being able to execute high level strategies involving optimal punishment, crowd control, combo flowcharts etc.
I have played the heck out of this game, and aside from the combat, the artstyle is my favourite aspect of this game. This isn't to say games shouldn't pursue "photorealism" but personally, a game that manages to walk a fine line between being realistic and stylised is the one that endures the test of time and can be appreciated for many years.
Overall, fantastic analysis man. I'm glad to see this game the love and attention it deserves.
Couldn't agree more - those older 1990s/2000s games were quite simple in their execution, but I found it gave way for a lot emphasis on gameplay and often found creative solutions to technical constraints. I think you're right with Sifu being more conscious with it - choosing to be restrained in art style is what gives the games their distinct flavour, instead of striving for realism. Part of why this game has resonated so strongly with me is due to the incredible amount of focus it brings. Thanks for watching!
Great video. Amazing analysis. Thank you 🤘🏻
Hello, i just discovered your channel with that video. I'm a big fan of Sifu (not a great player tho). I love how you talk and that's pretty rare to find someone talking about the art in Sifu. I thinked the video was beautiful and i love the idea to go trought the paintings in the museum. I hope you make more of these, i'm certainly gonna watch your entire channel. Thank for talking about it.
(please excuse me if i made mistakes in my writing i'm not a native english speaker)
I'm glad you enjoyed the vid!
I found a new favorite TH-camr
The game Looks soooo good and love you explanation ❤
i always wanted a game with a storyline and artstyle like this,Thank you bro!
Awesome video!
it's just captivating hearing you precisely analyze the art direction of a game with great usage of environmental storytelling as Sifu
Yes on the idea of the museum art pieces analysis
And hoping to see your work in November
Great video! You should totally check out "Neva" by Nomada Studio, and make a video about it.
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