Hi-Fi Rush was simply one of many shock hits of 2023, which simply so occurred to be among the finest years for sport releases collectively. Despite not having the fast likelihood to expertise the newest creation by Tango Gameworks as a consequence of Xbox exclusivity, Microsoft’s current announcement of PS5 help has lastly enabled us to dive into this wonderful rhythm-focused motion sport. And by no shock, it’s simply as enthralling because it ever was, and an important title for these on the lookout for a hyper-stylish expertise.
The sport focuses on a wannabe rockstar by the identify of Chai, a younger man with a non-functional proper arm who arrives on the Vandelay Industries campus to hitch a scheme to switch his arm with a robotic prototype. Inadvertently, a music participant finds its approach into Chai’s surgical process machine, embedding itself into his chest, leading to him sharing a musical relationship with the world round him. This mishap then causes him to be branded a defect, leading to a enjoyable narrative centered on his makes an attempt to evade his pursuers and put a cease to some company shenanigans.
The overarching plot of Hi-Fi Rush is enhanced by some really spectacular writing. This is generally evidenced by way of the sport’s dialogue, which is usually fourth-wall-breaking, stuffed with comedic one-liners, and infrequently thought-provoking when it decides to offer a layer of commentary concerning the whole idea of video video games. Chai’s position as the sport’s protagonist additional exemplifies the energy of Hi-Fi Rush’s writing, as he’s each an enthralling and amusing character. The supporting forged can also be comparable on this regard, with some wonderful voice performances throughout the board.
Chai’s musical connection to the world is the framework for the sport’s mechanics, being solely centred round attacking enemies to the beat of the music. Although this may occasionally appear overwhelming for these unfamiliar with rhythm video games, Tango Gameworks has taken lengths to verify mechanics are launched at a pleasant tempo, that means you by no means really feel such as you’re being thrown into the deep finish. At the tip of a fight phase, you’re graded based mostly in your efficiency and talent to completely time assaults to the beat. This is subsequently exchanged right into a factors system, which then calculates your general rating for the stage upon completion.
Despite this, typically inputs don’t appear to register as supposed, particularly throughout levels which have unpredictable rhythmic patterns. This for probably the most half, is a minor inconvenience at finest, although it may well simply change into irritating when tons of enemies are thrown at you in fast succession. Nevertheless, there are treatments to this subject, with an choice to view the timing of the beat with a easy press of the Dualsense touchpad button. This makes the musical compositions on more durable levels simpler to learn, as you’ve got a direct reference for when try to be urgent a button.
Speaking of levels, Hi-Fi Rush boasts twelve distinctive ranges, every with their very own aesthetic, fight situations, and naturally, musical tracks. The earlier levels have an emphasis on introducing you to fundamental gameplay mechanics resembling attacking on beat, however as you progress by way of the sport, you find out about dodging, parrying, and different helpful instruments that will help you take full benefit of the music-focused fight system.
The fight itself is flexible, too. Your choices, like beforehand talked about, are expanded if you begin to study extra about Chai’s transfer set, however there’s much more you’ll be able to work with. Hi-Fi Rush encompasses a bespoke improve system within the type of an improve store run by Peppermint, one of many supporting characters. This permits you to spend gears obtained in levels to buy new assault combos, particular strikes, and assign passive talents utilizing chips. The store is in numerous places throughout levels, and within the hideout between missions, a hub-like space that additionally permits you to pet the sport’s robotic cat named 808 – how lovable!
Equally necessary to the general gameplay expertise is Hi-Fi Rush’s presentation, which is filled with glamour, and we’d contemplate it to be probably the most visually spectacular video games we’ve ever performed. The cel-shaded artwork model, mixed with the music-focused environmental design, leads to a sport that may current itself flawlessly in a hyper-stylish method. Everything in a stage, whether or not that’s an object, ornament, or enemy – will transfer or behave at the side of the beat. Moreover, you need to use your environment as one other strategy to detect whether or not you’re timing inputs accurately.
Unsurprisingly, a sport with such a robust presence of music leads to a really wonderful soundtrack. The music of Hi-Fi Rush is different all through its roughly 12-hour runtime, containing an assortment of each authentic and licensed music. Each stage utilises music in another way, consistently switching up the tempo when reaching sure checkpoints, or when encountering one of many sport’s many boss fights.
The bosses in Hi-Fi Rush are extremely partaking, too, providing an additional layer of problem in comparison with the principle levels. They are often thrown in in direction of the tip of a stage, forcing you to make use of your information of the core gameplay mechanics to realize victory. Unlike regular fight situations, the bosses will often invoke some type of gimmick throughout the struggle, making certain that they stand other than the conventional enemies you’ve seen numerous instances earlier than.
Conclusion
Hi-Fi Rush is a beautiful rhythm-action sport with a robust forged of characters, addictive gameplay, and an unbelievable musical rating. The sport has a ton of replayability with the best way its structured, permitting you to enhance your timings to carry out higher within the sport’s rhythmic fight. This is an important title for PS5 homeowners, and we’re glad Xbox has allowed us to lastly expertise it.
