Playing En Garde and SIfu in a short timespan has really helped me compare and contrast these two setpiece fighters (that's not a genre but whatever man). Where Sifu wants to evoke martial arts movies, En Garde wants you to feel like Inigo Montoya or Puss in Boots. Where Sifu demands precision and repetition, En Garde encourages you to play around and try daring schemes. All of these differences are what enticed me to try out this game in the first place. One difference, though, puts it slightly behind Sifu in my opinion - En Garde is just not as polished of a game. Your movement is often going to clip on the environment, and enemy attacks have a homing quality to them that makes fights in large groups a little more chaotic than they should be.

I feel bad for having such a negative tone when writing this, because there is a terrific sequel just begging to be made here. En Garde almost feels like a tryout for the big one following this game up - music and visuals are enchanting and whimsical, characters are endearing and the basic mechanics powering combat naturally nudge you into the boots of the games' heroine. If only the game was in the oven slighty longer - both to even out the games' rough edges and add a little more meat on its bones. I'm eager for what comes next!