John Wick’s New Game Promises Cinematic Action, But This Critical Missing Piece Has Fans Split
The John Wick Game We’ve Been Waiting For
John Wick, known for redefining modern action cinema, finally steps into the realm of blockbuster games with Saber Interactive and Lionsgate Games at the helm. Unveiled during PlayStation’s State of Play, this long-awaited adaptation brings the breathtaking close-quarters combat and tactical gunplay that has become the franchise’s hallmark to interactive life. Gamers have clamored for this ever since the first movie blazed onto screens, making it almost unbelievable that only now are we seeing a proper AAA, single-player John Wick action experience in development.
Saber Interactive: A Surprising Choice for Development
What most fans didn’t expect is that Saber Interactive would be the studio bringing this vision to life. Known for handling cinematic IP and ambitious remakes—including their involvement with the much-discussed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic reboot—Saber is no stranger to adapting beloved universes into complex digital experiences. However, the absence of Sloclap, the acclaimed studio behind the praise-winning Sifu, has sparked intrigue and some disappointment among action game enthusiasts. After Sloclap stunned the gaming world with its masterful blend of hand-to-hand combat, aging mechanics, and cinematic inspiration, many saw them as the perfect fit for a John Wick adaptation. Modding communities even transformed Sifu into a pseudo–John Wick game, underlining fan appetite for that particular blend of gameplay and narrative style.
Why Sifu and John Wick Seem Like a Perfect Match
Sifu didn’t just wow critics with its relentless, skill-driven brawling—its level design, especially the iconic Club sequence, felt ripped straight from a John Wick film (minus the bulletproof tailoring and heavy use of firearms). Every punch, counter, and environmental interaction echoed the improvisational choreography that Keanu Reeves made famous as Wick. Fans hoped Sloclap’s signature mechanics—fluid directional dodges, context-sensitive finishers, and unforgiving enemy AI—would transition directly into an official John Wick title. Saber now faces the tough task of meeting these high expectations.
Cinematic Set Pieces: Translating John Wick’s DNA Into Gameplay
The new game promises high-impact set pieces true to the franchise’s roots. Each movie’s narrative—while enjoyable—serves primarily as a vehicle for creative, pulse-pounding fight sequences. Saber appears to embrace this, crafting a campaign that, while original, will slot seamlessly into John Wick’s established timeline. Although no detailed plot has been shared yet, the focus seems to be on providing the visceral action fans crave, interlaced with fresh characters and expanded lore. Notably, the game aims for third-person action, with an emphasis on epic finishers and improvisational combat, judged by the early trailer footage. Whether gunplay will have a central role is yet to be fully clarified, but the promise of brutal, satisfying finishers is clear.
The AAA Action Game John Wick Deserves
Up until now, John Wick’s game legacy has been surprisingly modest. John Wick Hex offered strategic combat in a top-down, tactical RPG format, while John Wick Chronicles dabbled in VR. Any further Wick content joins the fray through cameos—think Fortnite and Payday 2. For a character built on physicality and precision, the lack of a true action-centric adaptation has always felt like a missed opportunity. Saber’s new project looks to finally break that drought, promising a console experience grounded in cinematic flair and brutal hand-to-hand encounters in line with the movies’ set-piece traditions.
The Legacy of Sloclap and Future Possibilities
There’s a lingering sense of ‘what if’ when it comes to Sloclap’s involvement. Their recent pivot to other genres (notably Rematch, a multiplayer soccer title), shows their versatility, but action remains their hallmark. Whether the studio returns to stylish brawler territory—either through a licensed property or a new original IP—remains an open question. Regardless, the Sloclap template will serve as a constant benchmark against which Saber’s John Wick project will be judged. From dynamic counters and environmental kills to cinematic camera work and animation detail, the elements that made Sifu special will define fan expectations for this new adventure.
A New Story Beckons in the John Wick Universe
While narrative details are under wraps, the fact that the game will dive into an untold story in the John Wick universe provides intriguing possibilities. Fans of the films will recognize the thrill not just in frenetic combat, but the chance to explore the mythos—the Continental, connections to iconic characters, and the shadow world of assassins. With Keanu Reeves’ future in the role still up in the air, the game could serve as the next definitive chapter in the saga, expanding the canvas beyond what cinema can achieve.
What’s Next for Action Game Fans?
Whether Saber can match Sloclap’s mastery of expressive, weighty combat remains to be seen. Yet, with the promise of a cinematic John Wick game on next-gen hardware, expectations are sky-high. One certainty remains: after years of anticipation, action fans will finally get their shot at experiencing the world of John Wick from the inside—parries, grapples, stylish finishers, and all. Stay tuned for deeper dives, hands-on previews, and direct comparisons as the release nears; the real action is just getting started.
