Summary
Hong Kong andKung fu movieshave inspired many fighting games. Whether implemented in one-on-one fighting or in action RPGs, video games are the perfect platform to recreate the fantasy of beating up bad guys using a variety of fighting styles found under the Kung fu umbrella.
Like the movies, it’s a fast and fluid style of martial arts that translates well to video games, drawing from many styles and forms of Kung fu, whether it’s the form ofBruce Lee’s Jeet Kun Door Jet Li’s Wushu. This list outlines some ofthe best games that utilize Kung fu’s styles in their combat.
Shenmueis a classic action-adventure game that originated onthe Sega Dreamcastand was ahead of its time due to its exploration, interactivity, and social simulation elements. However, at the heart of it all,Shenmueis a classic revenge martial arts action story. The father of protagonist Ryo 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 to defeat the dangerous Lan Di, Ryo’s skills as a Karate practitioner alone aren’t enough. Along the way, he encounters martial arts practitioners who teach him skills based on Kung fu, Tai Chi, and more. His repertoire is expanded further when he makes it to Hong Kong inShenmue 2.
Detective Thrillers Set In The Yakuza Universe
Lost Judgement
When a convicted police officer discloses the murder of the student teacher who bullied his son to suicide, the dark secrets of a Yokohama high school rise to the surface. Fight for the truth as detective Takayuki Yagami and go undercover at a prestigious high school to solve a string of twisted bullying cases. But as victims pile up, caught in a cycle of bullying and revenge, will the scales of justice tip in favor of defending the law or enacting vengeance? Crack skulls to crack the case in this action-packed legal thriller.RGG Studio proudly presents Lost Judgment, the sequel to Judgment that weaves investigative sleuthing, noir narrative, and bone-crushing combat into a story like none other.INVESTIGATIVE ACTIONTap into Yagami’s arsenal of private eye tricks to gather clues. Use hi-tech gadgets like drones and listening devices as well as hardboiled gumshoe methods like scaling buildings and tailing suspects to uncover the truth. No stronger evidence than catching a suspect in the act.FREEFORM COMBATMaster Yagami’s three unique, combo-heavy martial arts styles to overcome any situation from group ambushes to single-target takedowns. Plus, expand your arsenal with street signs, bicycles, and more to pack an even bigger punch.DEEP UNDERCOVERGo undercover as a high school club advisor to get to the root of the mystery, and have some fun along the way. Join the Dance Club and groove to the rhythm with your students. Challenge your ingenuity at the Robotics Club. Test your moves against fierce opponents at the boxing gym. You can even join the biker gang, where underground racing is the only way to earn respect.HIT THE STREETSAs you comb the cities of Kamurocho and Ijincho in pursuit of the truth, take a break and get to know the unique culture of each city through bars and other nightlife hotspots. It may be worth taking on a Side Case to lend your detective skills to residents in need—you never know what might come of it.
Judgmentand its sequelLost Judgmentare spin-offs of theYakuza/Like A Dragonseries and are set in the samecity of Kamurocho. BothJudgementgames are detective thrillers that put players in the shoes of Takayuki Yagami, an honest but tough private investigator who gets embroiled in murder mysteries and conspiracies where the Yakuza and corruption are involved.
The combat is similar to theYakuzagames, but Yagami employs a Kung fu style that utilizes Crane, Snake, and Tiger stances and refuses to use knives, swords, or guns. The system is faster and more acrobatic than the fighting styles used in theYakuzaseries, which has its foundations in Karate. Although Yagami learned the techniques from his father, he dubbed his method the “Kamurocho style,” he has honed his techniques on the streets. However, Yagami uses a lot ofmoves and stylesthat are associated with the Kung fu style, like the flying cross kick, Wing Chun style rush attacks, and more.
6Absolver
A Complex Fighter That Combines Martial Arts Styles
Absolveris an action-adventure game that features a dynamic martial arts fighting system. Players can integrate different martial arts disciplines that reflect Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do philosophies 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 build a fighting style that works for them. The difficulty is comparable to a Soulslike, along with its strange world, butAbsolverhas an identity all its own.Absolver’sreplay value lies in its player-versus-player combat, where unique styles shape each battle and skill consistently determines the victor.
5Jackie Chan Stuntmaster
A Comedy Beat-Em-Up/Platformer Hybrid
Jackie Chan Stuntmasteris primarily a Beat ‘em Up, but it also includes platforming levels that showcase the iconic action star’s daring stunt work in his films. Jackie Chan is a legendary kung fu star is known for his work in Hong Kong films likePolice StoryandSnake in the Eagle’s Shadowand Hollywood blockbusters likeRush HourandShanghai Noon.
Chan also starred in a popular cartoon series calledJackie Chan’s Adventures.This game is closer in tone to the cartoon series, but it includes many death-defying platforming set pieces and fight scenes that are reminiscent of Jackie’s movies. The character models may appear blocky by modern standards, yet the combat and animations remain impressive. The fighting is snappy and satisfying, withJackie Chanproviding the motion capture and voice work himself.
4Jet Li’s Rise To Honor
Fluid Directional Combat Mo-Capped By Jet Li
Jet Li’s Rise to Honoris a single-player Beat ‘em Up starringmartial arts superstar Jet Li. Li’s proficient Wushu techniques and movements were filmed through motion capture technology, along with his likeness, creating an immersive experience akin to participating in one of Li’s Hong Kong Kung fu films.
Instead of using the face buttons, players utilize the right analog stick to execute Jet Li’s moves in any direction. It’s an intuitive fighting system that feels fluid and gives the game a true three-dimensional feel. Despite its age,Rise to Honoris a cinematic action game that gets more challenging as the story progresses. Fans of Jet Li will also love the references to his Hong Kong and Hollywood martial arts films with nods toCradle to the GraveandOnce Upon a Time in China.
Jade Empireis a martial arts action RPG from BioWare, the creators ofKnights of the Old RepublicandMass Effect.The game uses an action-based fighting system with a choice of six preset character classes.Jade Empirefeatures a well-known cast, withFirefly’sNathan Fillion andMonty Python’sJohn Cleese lending their voice work to the game.
As typical for a BioWare RPG, there are moral choices to make for the player’s chosen characters that impact how NPCs react and the story develops.Jade Empireuses a fantasy setting based on Chinese mythology and thefighting stylesare based on kung fu, with hand-to-hand, weapons, and magic options. Contrary to BioWare’s earlier titles, the combat is in real-time, effectively capturing the essence of the martial arts films that served as their inspiration.
With a fast and fluid KungFu fighting system,Sifuis a challenging Roguelike and Beat ‘em Up. Despite the high difficulty, the experience improves the more players practice, even withoutthe skills that can be unlocked. Mastering Sifu’s systems gives players a sense of accomplishment that few games can match.
There’s a unique aging system where every time the protagonist dies, they come back to life a few years older, but have another chance at avenging the death of their father. Aging is a double-edged sword inSifu.As an older martial artist, the protagonist has access to more fighting skills and deals more damage, but they become more vulnerable with age as well. Luckily, players can spend experience points to lock in their favorite skills without permanently losing them on death. There is also an element of Metroidvania level design, as players can open up shortcuts, making it easier to get to the end of level bosses and avoid the gangs of enemies that obstruct their path.
Sleeping Dogsis an open-world action and a spiritual successor to theTrue Crimeseries. It’s a dramatic improvement overTrue Crimein terms of story, characters, and the terrific Kung fu battle system. The fighting system is similar to theBatman Arkhamseries but is far more brutal, with bloody environmental attacks that look and feel satisfying to perform.
Players assume the role of Wei Shen, a San Francisco police officer who goes deep undercover as amember of the Triads. Wei’s Kung fu style is primarily Wing Chun, but he can learn and combine several styles, like Jeet Kun Do. There’s even an homage to one of the most influential martial arts movies,Enter the Dragonstarring Bruce Lee, with the Zodiac Tournament taking place on a remote island just like the tournament in the film. Other tributes include nods toRumble in the Bronx, Ong Bak, Game of Death, Fist of Fury,and many more.
