Due to the nature of Sifu, you will find yourself restarting stages more often than not. Being sent back to the very beginning can be demoralizing, especially if you were just about to defeat a boss or restart your Death Counter. Thankfully, there are shortcuts you can unlock to gain access to brand new areas or skip a huge portion of a stage. This guide explains how to unlock all shortcuts, and what each one of them does.
If you’re in need of more help, we have several additional guides on Sifu, covering the true ending, male or female choice, Death Counter, dialogue options, best skills, altar locations and best perks, detective board, and a list with 15 tips.
How to Unlock the Shortcut in The Squats – Sifu
There is only one shortcut in The Squats, which is the first stage in Sifu. Inside the apartment complex (before you go up the stairs), continue heading forward to find a locked double glass door.
In order to unlock the shortcut in The Squats, you’ll have to defeat the Skull Brothers. This is an encounter you can’t miss, as you’ll need to beat them in order to get the Bunch of Keys that open the Metal Gate.
Once you have the keys, you’ll be able to access the shortcut in future runs. The path is the same: once you stumble upon the Avenue Door early in the level, interact with it to enter the new area.
In here, you can expect to find four enemies: three of them will greet you in the first alleyway, while the fourth is on the second alleyway, hidden on the left side. There is also an altar halfway through the shortcut before you turn left on the corner. The shortcut in The Squats will take you directly to the warehouse, so you’ll save quite a chunk of time.
How to Unlock the Shortcut in The Club – Sifu
There is only one shortcut in The Club, which is the first stage in Sifu. You can find the access door right after the fight on the first dance floor. It’s to the right of the DJ, after you pass the bar, next to a couch.
In order to unlock the shortcut in The Club, you’ll need the Disciple’s Pass. You can find the item after defeating the mini-boss on your way to the trials, so you can’t miss it.
Once you have it, you’ll be able to use the shortcut in future runs. The access door will grant you access to a new area, as well as a passage to the corridor right before the trials.
Taking the stairs will lead you to the second floor of the club. Defeat the enemies there and you’ll end up inside the Tech Guy cabin. But if you just want to use this as a shortcut, head through the door and then unlock the door inside. This will take you to the gym area, just before the trials. There is an altar here, and you can avoid fighting anyone there if you just talk to the person at the door and say either Trials? or I’m ready.
How to Unlock Both Shortcuts in The Museum – Sifu
There are two shortcuts in The Museum, the third stage in Sifu: the stairs and the elevator. Let’s go through them in order.
In order to gain access to the stairs in The Museum, you’ll have to find the Museum Keycard. On your way to the top of the museum, you’ll be stopped by a mini-boss in a room with two statues. Once you defeat him, you’ll automatically obtain the keycard.
Once you have the keycard, you’ll be able to get through every gate that leads to the stairs across all three floors. This is handy in case you want to explore a certain area in future runs. This alternate route has a few enemy encounters, but you’ll skip the battle against both Sean’s disciples as well as the aforementioned mini-boss.
As for the elevator, you’ll need the Elevator Key. In order to unlock the shortcut, you’ll have to reach the top of the museum and survive all encounters. At one point, you’ll face two women in a colored room — defeating them will grant you the key. Using the elevator in The Museum will take you directly to the boss fight, which is pretty neat.
How to Unlock the Shortcut in The Tower – Sifu
There is only one shortcut in The Tower, which is the fourth stage in Sifu. It can be accessed from the elevator on the right side in the lobby, which is right at the beginning of the level.
In order to unlock the shortcut in The Tower, you’ll have to find the Elevator Keycard, which can be obtained after the tower “changes” and you’re in the underground area.
Progress through the cave and you’ll eventually stumble upon a second mini-boss with a staff. Defeat her to gain access to the elevator. Using the elevator in The Tower will take you to the underground area, saving you around half of the journey to the final boss.
How to Unlock the Shortcut in The Sanctuary – Sifu
There is only one shortcut in The Sanctuary, which is the fifth and final stage in Sifu. Inside the first building, continue heading forward to find the locked Inner Garden Door.
In order to unlock the shortcut in The Sanctuary, you’ll have to get the Keycard later into the level. As you’re heading to Yang’s office using the stairs, you’ll come across an enemy with a staff right before the door. Take them down to get the keycard.
Congrats on unlocking all Sifu shortcuts! May they prove helpful in your journey.
