Review - Hi-Fi Rush

“FUTURE Rockstar”

Release: January 25, 2023

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Developer: Tango Gameworks

Original Systems:  Xbox Series Consoles, PC

When Hi-Fi Rush was shadow-dropped at the Xbox Developer Direct, it was unexpected. Not only was this game not leaked, but it’s very different from what you see from Xbox exclusives. Created by Bethesda’s Tango Gameworks, it’s an artful title that focuses on hitting rhythmic beats as you attack and bob up and down to the music, making your way through levels. But it’s the loveable and memorable characters, as well as the accessible gameplay, that makes this the biggest video game surprise in a long time, and hope for a potentially exciting new Xbox franchise.

The plot revolves around Chai, a music-obsessed 25 year old, who volunteers for Project Armstrong (a program for cybernetic limb replacement by Vandelay Technologies) to help his disabled arm and have a chance to become a rockstar. He’s laid back, naïve, and lacks common sense – but has a heart of gold, just like your typical anime protagonist. An accident puts Chai’s music player into his chest and infuses it into his body, which in turn gives Chai a connection to music in the world. From there, Chai accidentally and reluctantly partners with company critic and spy of sorts, Peppermint, and her robot cat 808. Chai is able to use a stick liked object from his new cybernetic arm that he repurposes as a guitar-shaped weapon. From there, you find out about a shady project and run into some more allies and fight off Vandelay’s six bosses, each with their own unique personalities and memorable boss fights.

The main thing going for this game is the characters. From the main character of Chai to Peppermint and to others you’ll meet along the way, like the former head of R&D, Macaron; these are extremely likable characters that all have arcs and moments. The story is very anime-like, which I guess is up to you personally on how you feel about it, but I personally was all in from the get-go. The main villains are the bosses of Vandelay Technologies and are also equally as memorable. Each boss has their own mannerism and diverse personality, even right down to the boss battles. Add to that great dialogue and legitimately funny lines and moments, and you have a great roller coaster-like fun experience that doesn’t stop until the music does (pun intended).

And that’s the main thing, the music and rhythm action based combat and puzzles are the other addition that makes this game feel like pure fun. I was worried as I don’t have a great history with rhythm games, but this one is different. You don’t have to land everything perfectly outside of the puzzles. Even towards the end, as you’re hit with combos, as long as you hit the majority, you won’t be punished. And the music itself is a mix of original music plus a mix of some actual known artists, specifically Nine Inch Nails, who deliver plenty of songs. One of the final bosses has you battle with rhythm to Wolfgang’s 5^th Symphony, which was pure adrenaline. And by the time you’re rocking and rolling in a battle and hitting everything on time, you can’t help but feel like the rockstar Chai sees himself as.

And that’s the thing, when you combine the characters, the plot, and the music, and then top it off with great humor, it makes for a perfect storm of a game that is what video games should be in the end… fun. And that’s why I loved this game so much. It was a flashback to the PS2 era type games and with the memorability that Nintendo does best. Xbox struck gold with this one, and they should keep digging. Chai and the cast of characters around him should get another game, and Microsoft has a set of characters they can add to the Xbox lineup beyond bro shooting heroes. This should be a big part of Xbox for years to come, and if they don’t take advantage of what they got here, I don’t know what they’re thinking.

In the end, Hi-Fi Rush is just what the name implies – a rush. Chai, 808, Peppermint, and everyone else are still on my mind. The mix of music and gameplay gives you that rockstar feel. The humor legitimately had me laughing, and it fit the personalities and story. The villains are some of the better antagonists in modern gaming. And the accessibility of the rhythmic action invites anyone to try it out. It all makes for the first major video game experience I’ve had for 2023. And it does it without being some overlong wannabe epic length. I think this deserves some talk for the game of the year and will be looked at for my eventual 2023 twenty most impactful games. This game is Highly Recommended. I hope to see Chai and the gang in the future again.

Rating - 4.5 / 5