As is sometimes the case with such events, today’s Microsoft Developer Direct included a surprise release. This time around, though, it wasn’t Halo Infinite. Instead, the game was something new from Tango Gameworks, called Hi-Fi Rush.
Available now through Xbox Game Pass, Hi-Fi Rush is described as a rhythm game set in a colourful world, wherein everything is dictated by the beat. From the trees swaying in the environment to every hit landed during combat. Combat sequences perfectly align to the rhythm of the music, allowing for gameplay that is not only exhilarating but also extremely satisfying. A player’s moves aren’t dictated by the music like in a traditional rhythm game — players have the freedom of a full action game. However, inputting actions with the beat amplifies the player’s attacks along with the music.
Players take on the role of Chai, a free-spirited slacker with rockstar ambitions. During a technological procedure to receive a robotic arm, he finds an unexpected “bonus” when his music player is fused within his power unit. If that wasn’t enough, the company behind the experiment labels him a “defect,” making him a target for deactivation. With a squad of corporate overlords and an army of robots after him, Chai must defend himself through rhythmic combat and the help of a motley crew of allies to take down the company’s ruthless business leaders and escape.
Surprisingly, Hi-Fi Rush features music from the Black Keys and Nine Inch Nails, among other iconic bands. We can’t wait to see how it incorporates NIN’s music.
This game is now available on PC and Xbox Series.