A combination of Sleeping Dogs, Double Dragon and of course Sifu!

A game that, when I first saw it, reminded me quite a bit of Sifu, which came out a few years ago. One of my favourite games from the past is Double Dragon, and this title brings back some of those beat 'em up memories. It also reminds me of Sleeping Dogs, the 2012 game that made hand-to-hand combat feel genuinely spectacular. And this is an independent production from faraway Indonesia! Everything I have seen so far in its trailers and screenshots looks very promising, which is why I am adding it to my collection. We shall see, but I will definitely be keeping a close eye on it!

Acts of Blood is a third-person action beat 'em up starring Hendra, a law student whose life is shattered when his family is murdered. His father had been investigating a corrupt official, but the legal system proves unable or unwilling to deliver justice. Hendra therefore decides to take matters into his own hands, seeking revenge while uncovering the people responsible for his family's murder.

What caught my attention is, of course, the combat system. Punches, kicks, blocks, counters and brutal finishers combine with objects found throughout the environment. Bats, knives, firearms and environmental elements can turn every encounter into absolute chaos. Parkour moves and environmental interactions also help ensure that the action is not limited to simply trading blows with enemies.

This is where comparisons with Sleeping Dogs and Sifu come in. The former is an important influence on the feel of the hand-to-hand combat, while the latter has inspired the combo system and the challenge of facing multiple opponents. The developer has also mentioned games such as Batman: Arkham and Jackie Chan Stuntmaster, while the cinematic influences include The Raid and The Night Comes for Us (i have to add them in our collection here, as i watched them in the past). If you have watched these films, you probably understand the intended atmosphere: raw action, brutal confrontations and hits that look like they genuinely hurt.

One of the most interesting pieces of trivia is that the game began in January 2024 as a personal project by Fajrul FN, who wanted to improve his Unreal Engine skills. He has explained how, during the early stages, he built gameplay mechanics by combining knowledge gathered from various YouTube tutorials. What started as a personal experiment gradually developed into a full independent production, with friends contributing to areas such as music, animation and voice work.

Another interesting detail is that Bandung, Indonesia, where the developer grew up, serves as a major source of inspiration for the game's world. The team wants to capture the atmosphere, architecture and streets of the region, offering a different setting from the locations we usually encounter in major action games.

The game's international exposure increased significantly when it was showcased at Summer Game Fest 2025. According to the developer, Geoff Keighley actually contacted him directly after seeing the game and offered to help promote it. For such a small production, this was an excellent opportunity to reach a much larger audience.

As for its reception, early previews have mainly highlighted its brutal, cinematic action and its clear influences from Indonesian martial arts cinema. The available demo has continued to evolve through updates improving combat moves, enemy reactions and the overall impact of each hit. Of course, an impressive presentation is one thing, while a game that can hold your attention for many hours is another. The variety of combat encounters, level design and the quality of the story will ultimately determine whether it succeeds.

Acts of Blood launches on PC on December 4, 2026, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions scheduled for 2027.

For now, I am keeping my expectations in check, but my interest is definitely high. An independent game combining the feel of Sleeping Dogs, the intensity of Sifu and the brutality of The Raid certainly has my attention. I hope it can turn this promising first impression into a genuinely memorable experience.