Overview
Hi-Fi Rush is a rhythm-based action game developed by the Japanese studio Tango Gameworks and published by Bethesda Softworks, released in 2023 on PC and Xbox Series, then on PS5 in 2024. Every attack, jump and dodge syncs with the beat of the music. I played it on PC through the Xbox Game Pass.
I loved this game, and I'm gutted that the studio closed down.
Story and world
You play as Chai, a young man who dreams of becoming a rock star. He volunteers for Vandelay Technologies' Project Armstrong, which is supposed to give him a robotic arm. But during the operation, his music player gets fused into his body: he now feels the rhythm of the music all the time.
Labelled a defect by Vandelay, he ends up hunted by the company's robots. He then teams up with Peppermint and her robot cat 808 to stand up to the company's executives.
The story is nice.
Gameplay
The gameplay is very smooth and dynamic, and the level design is excellent. Attacks, combos and dodges are more effective when they land on the beat, and the environment itself moves to the tempo of the music.
The bosses are a lot of fun to fight.
Graphics and music
The graphics are superb, with a cel-shaded style that makes the game look like a cartoon.
The music is just as good. On top of the original compositions, the soundtrack includes licensed tracks from bands like Nine Inch Nails, The Black Keys and The Prodigy.
Verdict
Hi-Fi Rush is a real gem, in terms of level design as much as graphics and music. Its gameplay is very smooth and dynamic, and its bosses are a lot of fun. Go for it!