Hi-Fi RUSH Xbox Series X Review
| Game: | Hi-Fi RUSH |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Bethesda Softworks |
| Developer: |
Tango Gameworks, the studio behind games such as The Evil Within series and Ghostwire: Tokyo, has taken a departure from their usual style and created a cartoon-style rhythm game. This change in direction deserves recognition, as Hi-Fi Rush is an incredibly enjoyable experience.
Coming completely out of the blue, Tango Gameworks has undoubtedly surprised many with Hi-Fi Rush. The game is a vibrant explosion of colour and combines fast-paced action with rhythm gameplay. It is a refreshing change from Tango Gameworks’ typical style, and, in terms of how everything looks, it brings to mind SEGA’s legendary Jet Set Radio series.
Hi-Fi Rush features a lighthearted and whimsical plot. The protagonist, Chai, has lost an arm and is seeking a cybernetic replacement. He arrives at the Vandelay Technologies campus to participate in a test program, but a surprising turn of events causes his music player to be implanted in his chest. From then on, Chai has the ability to sense the beat of the music, and is therefore considered a defect by Vandelay Technologies and targeted for elimination. The game’s quirky sense of humor and exaggerated plot setup adds to its charm and appeal.
The playful storyline provides a silly but compelling explanation for the game’s focus on hitting the beat. Despite this emphasis, you can still enjoy Hi-Fi Rush without having perfect rhythm – it’s not a game that requires strict musical timing. While playing in time with the beat does make Chai more powerful and rewards you with higher scores, it is not a requirement to advance through the game. Hi-Fi Rush offers a fun experience, regardless of your musical timing.
The soundtrack includes music from popular artists such as Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, The Joy Formidable, and The Black Keys. In addition to these licensed tracks, the game also features an original soundtrack created by composers Shuichi Kobori (formerly of Konami), Reo Uratani (formerly of Capcom), and Tango Gameworks’ sound designer, Masatoshi Yanagi. With this mixture of licensed tracks and original compositions, the game provides ample musical diversity to accompany the action.
With its high-speed and combo-based gameplay and grade-based points system, upon first glance Hi-Fi Rush may appear similar to action games like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, which is not an unreasonable comparison. However, the game distinguishes itself with the added element of playing to the beat of the music by flinging a guitar around as a weapon. During combat, timing your attacks to the rhythm increases Chai’s damage output and adds a new level of challenge, with enemies also attacking in time with the music. The game’s incorporation of rhythm elements is well executed and adds an extra layer of challenge, without feeling forced or mandatory.
Further combat strategies include parrying enemy attacks (when available), done so by matching the beat. Additionally, you can also dodge to the rhythm of the music, it’s possible to call in NPC allies to help in combat, each with their unique moves and can be summoned into combos, and you’ll also be given access to a magnetic grab move. These elements combine to create a deep and engaging combat system.
To make playing to the beat of the music easier, you are able to turn on a timing indicator with the press of a button. This can be helpful for timing, as can keeping an eye on the environments, which often react to the beat as well. Furthermore, there are mini-games that test your rhythm skills, such as beat jumping, opening chests, activating switches, and so on.
What I dislike about the combat is the forced parrying during particular stages of a boss fight. It asks for precision timing, but I often couldn’t do this, forcing me to mash the buttons and hope. This goes against the rest of the game, which does enough to appeal to those whom are not normally into rhythm games.
The other part of Hi-Fi Rush has you running and jumping through linear environments, sometimes coming across gears as well as pick-ups that will go towards increasing your overall health or special gauge once you have found a certain amount of them. The game even switches to a side on view from time to time, and Chai can also use a magnetic grab ability to attach to specific areas, some of which are otherwise unreachable without it.
Between each stage, Chai has the opportunity to visit base and interact with his allies. During this time, he can purchase new moves, combos, and helpful items to aid him in his journey. Whenever you decide to step away from the game, you will always return to base when you pick it up again, and, amusingly, the characters make light of this. When you want to get back to taking down the dodgy corporation, a quick jump on the sofa will transport you back to your last checkpoint.
Hi-Fi Rush boasts a visually stunning aesthetic with its vibrant colors and smooth gameplay. The game resembles the pages of a comic book, offering a brighter and more inviting atmosphere compared to Tango Gameworks’ previous gloomy settings.
Hi-Fi Rush is a title that has the potential to attract a broad player base due to its well-executed gameplay. Its rhythm, skill-based play is sure to please those who like playing their games to the music, while also accommodating players who struggle with these types of games. With the latter said, please don’t be discouraged if you lack rhythm, although the bosses might pose you a problem in what proves to be one of the game’s few design missteps. In spite of this, Hi-Fi Rush is mostly a triumph, and I live in hope that Tango Gameworks will continue to branch out in other directions in the future.
