Reviewed on: Xbox Series S
After my time with Hi-Fi Rush came to an end, the best way I’d describe this game would be surprising. Not only was this game a shadow drop, with no marketing or promotion, but it’s also very different from Tango Gameworks’ usual horror/thriller games.
Such a shift in genre can be a risky move, but with Hi-Fi rush, Tango Gameworks may have just released their best game yet, and I hope we see more in the future.
A modern, yet retro refresh
Much of Hi-Fi Rush is inspired by the classic 3D platformers and Saturday morning cartoons of the early 2000’s, but iterates with its own unique style that provides a more modern feel. The story follows Chai, a rash, energetic, wannabe rockstar with abilities powered by a music player in his chest. Much in the vein of its inspiration, the plot doesn’t take itself too seriously, embracing its style and goofy humour that rarely falls flat; it’s a light-hearted romp through a vibrant world with lovable side characters and distinct villains.
At the heart of the experience is the game’s rhythm-based combat, where attacking to the beat is immensely satisfying, yet not essential to enjoy what Hi-Fi Rush has to offer. Regardless of when you press a button, the game makes sure that everything is in sync with the beat, but also rewards those with pitch perfect timing; the game takes a much more relaxed approach to the rhythm game formula. As someone who doesn’t have a strong sense of rhythm, it was refreshing to still be able to make the most out of the combos, abilities and upgrades that were available; when everything falls in place and clicks, Hi-Fi Rush’s combat is remarkable.
Of course, a good rhythm game is naturally backed up with a strong list of original and/or licensed tracks; Hi-Fi Rush delivers on both fronts, with great originals complimented by a short, but well utilised selection of licensed songs. It’s this fine combination and use of tracks that ultimately resulted in arguably the game’s best moment, as I took on a swarm of bots to the beat of Invaders Must Die by The Prodigy.
If there was perhaps anything that held this game back for me, it would be the frequency of combat encounters in the game’s second half, where its momentum stumbles a little from constant fights breaking out. Furthermore, some of Hi-Fi Rush’s enemy types and boss’s feature mechanics that are a bit more unforgiving when it comes to timing. This problem is another that feels more unavoidable in the game’s second half.
Technical Talk
As for bugs and possible technical issues, I’m pleased to say that I experienced no bugs or any major performance issues playing on Series S. With this in mind, I would expect the Series X version to perform identically if not better. The PC version however, is a bit of an unknown quantity to me, but I’d expect similar results to the console versions. Of course, there’s always a chance I got lucky with my experience, so while doubtful, your mileage may vary.
Verdict
Ultimately, Hi-Fi Rush is a vibrant, dynamic game that stokes feelings of nostalgia thanks to its early 2000’s inspiration. While on paper, combat may seems like an acquired taste, in reality its smooth, responsive and more forgiving than other games in the genre. While the story doesn’t need to take itself too seriously, its upbeat protagonist and side characters are great, with villains that serve to provide memorable boss battles.
Rather than sticking to their horror/thriller roots, Tango Gameworks took a leap of faith and created something unique that’s completely outside the studio’s wheelhouse. The result is something truely remarkable that’s likely to live long in the memory.
