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Hi-Fi Rush
Hi-Fi Rush
Hi-Fi Rush
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Hi-Fi Rush
DeveloperTango Gameworks
PublisherBethesda Softworks
DirectorJohn Johanas
Producers
  • Masato Kimura
  • Shinsaku Ohara
DesignerMasaaki Yamada
ProgrammerYuji Nakamura
Writers
  • John Johanas
  • Morten Brunbjerg
Composers
  • Shuichi Kobori
  • Reo Uratani
  • Masatoshi Yanagi
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platforms
Release
  • Windows, Xbox Series X/S
  • January 25, 2023
  • PlayStation 5
  • March 19, 2024
GenresAction, rhythm, beat 'em up, hack and slash
ModeSingle-player

Hi-Fi Rush is a 2023 rhythm-based action game[1] developed by Tango Gameworks and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game's story follows self-proclaimed "future rock star" Chai (voiced by Robbie Daymond in English and Hiro Shimono in Japanese),[2][3] whose music player is accidentally embedded in his chest during experimental cybernetic surgery, allowing him to rhythmically fight and re-perceive the world through environmental synesthesia. Labelled a "defect" and hunted by the corporation that transformed him, Chai bands together with new friends to defeat the company's executives and put a stop to their plans.

Hi-Fi Rush's gameplay sets itself apart from other examples in the character action genre. Chai's relationship with his music player causes himself, surrounding enemies and environmental objects to move in sync with the beat of the game's soundtrack. Combat entails successfully connecting 'beat hits' by chaining attacks together in time with the music, being rewarded with higher damage output and end-level ranking if players successfully manage to do so. In addition to the character action gameplay, the title features numerous rhythm-based minigames that leverage the game's audio cues for on-screen interactions and puzzles. Progression takes place across multiple linear stages that mix platforming segments and arena-like encounters with enemies and minibosses, while being bookended by a themed boss fight with the corporation's various executives. Chai can additionally be equipped with upgrades and additional moves that are unlocked procedurally through in-game collectibles or currency put towards them. The game's soundtrack encompasses licensed music from bands such as The Black Keys and Nine Inch Nails.[4]

Hi-Fi Rush was conceptualized with a smaller team at Tango Gameworks just as they were finishing The Evil Within 2 in 2017, out of an internal desire to branch the developer out of the survival horror genre they were previously synonymous with. The game entered full production the following year. Its style and presentation was principally inspired by the films of director Edgar Wright. The game's development was kept completely secret by Tango and Bethesda due to concerns over player expectations with the tonal and gameplay differences from its previous releases. The game was simultaneously announced and released for Windows and Xbox Series X/S on January 25, 2023. A PlayStation 5 version of the game was released in March 2024.

Hi-Fi Rush received critical acclaim upon release, with critics praising its visual style, art direction, humor, characters, and combat, though some noted its repetition, level design, and limited soundtrack. Hi-Fi Rush was the last game to be developed by Tango Gameworks as a studio under Bethesda and parent company Microsoft Gaming before its initial closure in May 2024. The studio was revived under the ownership of Krafton in August 2024, which also acquired the rights to the Hi-Fi Rush license from Microsoft with plans to develop further games while also exploring other projects. The publishing rights to the original game as well as Tango's prior titles remain with Microsoft and Bethesda.[5][6]

Gameplay

[edit]
Chai engaging in combat

Hi-Fi Rush is a rhythm-action game where the protagonist Chai, his enemies, and parts of the environment move to the beat. Attacking on rhythm is not required, as actions automatically sync up with the music, but by timing the button presses right the players are rewarded with higher damage output and timing-based combo finishers deal additional damage. A parry move allows players to cancel enemy attacks by pressing the button at the exact moment of attacks. In addition to the beat-em-up action mechanics, there are also rhythm-based minigame elements where players repeat cues in a call-and-response fashion, or press buttons in rhythmic sequence based on on-screen cues.[7]

The game takes place across multiple linear stages, representing various divisions of the antagonist corporation. Each division is based on a particular musical style, and Chai engages in boss battles at various points.[8]

In addition to combat, the game also features some platform game elements, as well as a system of upgrades to unlock new moves, abilities, and perks, which can be purchased with gears, an in-game currency earned in combat or by exploring levels. Permanent upgrades to health and the special meter also appear in stages as collectibles.

Completing the game once unlocks bonus features, such as the ability to revisit past levels and previously inaccessible areas, a new difficulty setting, and Rhythm Tower, a survival mode similar to Bloody Palace from the Devil May Cry series.[9]

Plot

[edit]
Chai

Chai, a 25-year old man with a disabled right arm and a dream to become a rockstar, arrives at the Vandelay Technologies campus to volunteer for Project Armstrong, a test program for cybernetic limb replacement. Unbeknownst to Chai, the CEO, Kale Vandelay (Roger Craig Smith / Takehito Koyasu)[3] secretly designates Chai to be a garbage collector for the company's waste management. As Chai's limb replacement process is about to begin, Kale throws away Chai's music player, which accidentally falls into Chai's chest and embeds with it during the process, causing Chai to feel a musical connection with his surroundings. As a result of the accident caused by Kale's carelessness, Chai is labeled a defect and the facility's robotic security forces pursue him.

Chai discovers his new arm can deploy an electromagnetic grabber stick, originally meant for garbage collecting, which he uses to fashion a guitar-like weapon. As he searches for a way to escape, he encounters 808, a robotic cat named after the Roland TR-808 drum machine. He is aided by an unseen ally, Peppermint (Erica Lindbeck / Toa Yukinari),[3] who communicates through the robotic cat, and is guided to her hideout. There, she offers to help Chai escape if he agrees to help her investigate a conspiracy—provided to her by a personal source—behind Project Armstrong, leading the two to form a reluctant alliance.

Soon, Chai helps Peppermint gain access to a Vandelay executive computer, and learn about SPECTRA, an AI-program that uses the cybernetic implants of Project Armstrong as a back-door for mind control. The two hatch a plan to access and shut down SPECTRA by securing passkeys from each of the company's executives, including Kale. As they pursue their targets, they recruit more allies, including the disgruntled and nervous former head of R&D (and Peppermint's inside source) Macaron (Gabe Kunda / Yasuhiro Mamiya)[3] and his blunt psychology robot partner CNMN (pronounced "Cinnamon") (Sunil Malhotra / Hiroyuki Yoshino),[3] and eventually Vandelay's security head, Korsica (Sarah Elmaleh / Yū Kobayashi),[3] after Kale makes an attempt on her life for discovering SPECTRA's true nature. While exploring a museum of Vandelay Technologies, Peppermint reveals that her mother is Roxanne Vandelay (Rahnuma Panthaky / Naoko Kouda),[3] the company's founder, which makes Kale her older brother. Some time ago, Roxanne encouraged Peppermint to leave home and find her own path, but she later returned after Kale's sudden ascent to CEO out of suspicion that something was wrong.

As the group pursues Kale, their final target, they encounter Roxanne, but learn she is being controlled by Kale via SPECTRA. Kale traps the group and explains that he plans to use Project Armstrong to control the users' purchasing habits and relieve the stress of consumerism. Chai frees himself and his allies from the trap as they confront and battle Kale. With Kale defeated, they use all five passkeys and Korsica's password to shut down SPECTRA, freeing Roxanne from its control. Afterwards, Roxanne is reinstated as CEO of Vandelay Technologies, Peppermint reconciles with her mother, and Chai is offered a job as the ambassador for Project Armstrong within the company, while Macaron and Korsica regain their old jobs. Later, Chai and his friends gather to look at the sunset while he practices playing guitar, so that he has a fallback career in case his new job doesn't work out.

Events after the main story reveal mysterious doors around the campus. After Chai investigates them, Peppermint discovers a secret hub room underneath Vandelay Tower, which houses a second SPECTRA unit. Once Chai passes the challenges in the room, he finds the unit, but discovers that SPECTRA was set to restart by itself, using the group's efforts as a launchpad for the endeavor. The AI, appearing as a replica of Kale, reveals that the activation was a backup plan in case Kale's plans were thwarted. However, SPECTRA is abruptly turned off after a cleaning robot accidentally pulls the power plug. Chai declares the problem solved and leaves a warning note not to touch the plug.

Development

[edit]

In a March 2022 interview with Famitsu, founder of Tango Gameworks and executive producer Shinji Mikami mentioned that he wants the company to venture outside of the survival horror genre and nurture younger game creators. He also offered the first hints about their next release, stating that the next game by The Evil Within 2 director John Johanas is "the complete opposite of horror."[10]

Johanas later described Hi-Fi Rush as a "dream game" idea he had in his mind since "way, way back."[11] He initially pitched the title to Mikami after completing work on The Evil Within 2 in 2017. After that a small team created an internal demo to help pitch the game to higher ups at Bethesda. The game was inspired by Shaun of the Dead (2004) and other films by Edgar Wright.[12]

Hi-Fi Rush entered production in 2018 in parallel with Ghostwire: Tokyo. As part of the strategy by Bethesda, development was kept quiet, before the public announcement of the game's release. This was, in part, to avoid skepticism and unsure expectations, as the title was a big departure for both the developer and the publisher. After Microsoft's purchase of Bethesda, marketing suggested that Game Pass might offer a solution, by lowering the entry barrier and allowing the game to generate interest by word-of-mouth.[12]

Hi-Fi Rush was announced at Xbox and Bethesda Developer_Direct on January 25, 2023.[4] The game's appearance was intended as a surprise, although the title and logo were leaked online a day prior to the event.[13] After showcasing the trailer and some gameplay footage, Tango Gameworks announced that the game will be releasing on the same day for Windows and Xbox Series X/S.[14] The game received its final Xbox patch in May 2024 and the developers confirmed a physical edition was still in the works via Limited Run Games.[15]

Music

[edit]

The game's original soundtrack was created by former Konami composer Shuichi Kobori, former Capcom composer Reo Uratani, and Tango Gameworks' sound designer Masatoshi Yanagi.

Hi-Fi Rush uses ten licensed music tracks throughout the story: "Lonely Boy" by The Black Keys, "1,000,000" and "The Perfect Drug" by Nine Inch Nails, "Free Radicals" by The Flaming Lips,[a] "Inazawa Chainsaw" by Number Girl, "Fast as You Can" by Fiona Apple,[a] "Invaders Must Die" by The Prodigy, "Wolfgang's 5th Symphony" by Wolfgang Gartner, "Whirring" by The Joy Formidable, and "Honestly" by Zwan. Bethesda Softworks also created an official Spotify playlist with most of these tracks.[16][17]

To avoid issues such as YouTube copyright strikes, the game includes an option to replace all licensed songs with similar original tracks performed by the band The Glass Pyramids.[17]

Reception

[edit]

Hi-Fi Rush received "generally favorable" reviews on Xbox and PS5 and "critical acclaim" on PC, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[18][19]

Jordan Middler, from Video Games Chronicle, said that Hi-Fi Rush is "oozing with style and confidence", although there is "repetitive level design and some clunky platforming", scoring with a 4 out of a 5 star rating.[34] Jesse Norris, from XboxEra, praised the combat, calling it sublime, but "can become difficult to read as the screen fills up with utter chaos", scoring it with 9.5 out of 10.[35] Diego Argüello, from Polygon, called its animation gorgeous and Jet Set Radio-esque art style vivid and arresting.[36]

Giovanni Colantonio from Digital Trends was very positive in his review of the title, calling it "Tango Gameworks' most confident, stylish and surprising project to date".[22] On the other hand, Tyler Colp from PC Gamer gave a more mixed review, finding the game to be promising in its concept but ultimately average in the action genre, and thought its setlist of music was limited and dated.[30]

Sales

[edit]

The game reached 2 million players by March 2023, which has been counted as a mix of both digital sales and downloaded Game Pass subscriptions.[37] By August 2023, the game reached 3 million players between purchased copies and Game Pass subscriptions.[38]

Awards

[edit]
Award nominations for Hi-Fi Rush
Year Ceremony Category Result
2023 CEDEC Awards Sound Award[39] Won
Golden Joystick Awards Ultimate Game of the Year[40] Nominated
Best Visual Design[40] Nominated
Best Audio[40] Nominated
Xbox Game of the Year[40] Nominated
The Game Awards 2023 Best Art Direction[41] Nominated
Best Score and Music[41] Nominated
Best Audio Design[41] Won
Best Action Game[41] Nominated
Innovation in Accessibility[41] Nominated
2024 New York Game Awards Big Apple Award for Game of the Year[42][43] Nominated
Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game[42][43] Won
27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Action Game of the Year[44][45] Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Animation[44][45] Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design[44][45] Nominated
24th Game Developers Choice Awards Best Audio[46][47] Won
Best Design[46][47] Nominated
Innovation Award[46][47] Nominated
Best Visual Art[46][47] Nominated
Audience Award[46][47] Nominated
20th British Academy Games Awards Animation[48][49] Won
Audio Achievement[48][49] Nominated
Family[48][49] Nominated
New Intellectual Property[48][49] Nominated
Artistic Achievement[50] Longlisted
Music[50] Longlisted

Future

[edit]

On May 6, 2024, Microsoft Gaming, which controls Bethesda Softworks parent ZeniMax Media and its development teams, announced that they were making organizational changes to the publisher which involved closing four studios under the Bethesda umbrella, including Tango Gameworks.[51] Xbox Game Content and Studios head Matt Booty explained that shuttering the aforementioned teams reflected an initiative to prioritize what Microsoft considered "high-impact titles", which included more investment in established franchises in Bethesda's portfolio.[52] When interviewed by Bloomberg Technology shortly thereafter, Xbox head Sarah Bond addressed the closure of Tango more specifically, implying that an evaluation of success criteria on a game-by-game basis led to the decision.[53] Despite Tango's closure, Booty would internally specify the necessity for Xbox to house the development of budget games that had potential for securing "prestige and awards" much like Hi-Fi Rush.[54] Limited Run Games, which previously announced plans to distribute a physical release of the game for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in February, assured that the title was still set to release as scheduled.[55] Tango Gameworks was officially closed by Microsoft on June 14, 2024.[56] At the time of their closure's confirmation, Tango was reported by Bloomberg News and other outlets to have pitched Microsoft and Bethesda on a Hi-Fi Rush sequel, but were turned down as executives felt that closing the developer would simultaneously ease communication with less teams spread across the world, and free up resources for other ventures.[57]

On August 12, 2024, publisher Krafton announced they had reached an agreement to revive and acquire Tango Gameworks in its entirety from Microsoft and Bethesda, in an attempt to widen their global presence through investing in a Japanese studio.[58] The acquisition coincided with Krafton obtaining full rights to the Hi-Fi Rush license, which enabled Tango Gameworks to continue development on the potential franchise while also producing more original projects under Krafton's support.[59] The terms of the merger did not include the rights to either of Tango Gameworks' prior IPs, The Evil Within or Ghostwire: Tokyo, which remain under Microsoft's ownership alongside the publishing rights to the original Hi-Fi Rush.[60] A Microsoft representative reiterated the company's intent to work with Krafton to ensure a smooth transition for Tango Gameworks and its developers, who were all re-hired by the firm, while also confirming that the agreement would not impact the existing availability of Tango's prior games under Bethesda on their current platforms, including on Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass service.[61]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hi-Fi Rush

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Hi-Fi Rush is a action video game developed by and originally published by . Released as a surprise title on January 25, 2023, for Xbox Series X/S and Windows PC via and , it features protagonist Chai, a rockstar whose botched cybernetic turns his right arm into a sentient guitar that synchronizes the world to music beats, enabling rhythmic combat against the megacorporation Vandelay Technologies. The game later launched on on March 19, 2024, and its intellectual property rights were acquired by in August 2024 following the temporary closure of by . In November 2025, amid the publishing transition, the game was temporarily delisted from select third-party PC digital storefronts, with an update planned for 2025 to integrate branding. In the story, Chai arrives at Vandelay Technologies for a procedure to become a rock idol but ends up with a defective implant that empowers his guitar arm instead of controlling him. Labeled a failure by the corporation's CEO, Vandelay, Chai escapes and teams up with allies like the hacker and the robotic dog 808 to dismantle Vandelay's departments—ranging from production to marketing—while uncovering a conspiracy involving mind-control technology. The narrative satirizes corporate greed in the tech industry, blending humor, vibrant animation, and a featuring original tracks alongside licensed music from artists like and . Gameplay centers on third-person action where every movement, attack, dodge, and aligns with the of the , creating a seamless flow that rewards precise timing for maximum damage and combos. Players control Chai, who wields his guitar arm for strikes and can recruit AI-controlled allies for special abilities, such as ranged attacks or area effects, enhancing squad-based tactics during boss fights set to unique musical themes. occurs in linear levels within Vandelay's facilities, with collectibles like "TiCoins" for upgrades and hidden secrets, while options like auto-parry assist players in maintaining the beat without strict rhythm expertise. Development began in 2017 under , founded by , as an experimental project blending rhythm and action genres inspired by titles like and . Despite its critical success, closed in May 2024 amid broader studio cuts, only for to revive it later that year with plans for new projects, though a direct sequel to Hi-Fi Rush was deemed unprofitable by the publisher. The game received post-launch updates adding modes like Arcade Challenge and accessibility features, solidifying its cult status. Hi-Fi Rush garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative , , and audio design, earning a score of 87/100 for Series X and higher on PC. It won Best Audio Design at and the Animation award at the 2024 BAFTA Games Awards, with 13 nominations across various ceremonies. Critics praised its joyful energy and rhythmic precision, often calling it a standout launch title that revitalized the rhythm-action genre.

Gameplay

Combat and Rhythm Mechanics

Hi-Fi Rush features a hybrid action-rhythm combat system where player inputs for attacks, dodges, and special moves are synchronized with the beat of the game's licensed soundtrack to maximize damage output and scoring potential. The core mechanic revolves around "Just Timing," in which actions performed on the beat increase damage dealt and contribute to combo multipliers, while off-beat actions still allow basic functionality but yield reduced effectiveness. Enemies also move and attack in rhythm with the music, creating a synchronized "dance-like" flow that encourages players to anticipate patterns visually and audibly through environmental cues like pulsing lights and sound waves. This integration ensures that combat feels dynamic and musical, with no harsh penalties for imperfect timing, allowing accessibility for players new to rhythm games. The protagonist Chai employs a weapon system tied to his , which fuses with a guitar for combat, enabling light and heavy attacks that chain into when timed to the beat. Light attacks (one beat duration) deliver quick strikes, while heavy attacks (two beats) provide powerful follow-ups, and both can juggle enemies in the air for extended . For ranged options, Chai uses an energy projection, often as part of special attacks that consume Reverb bars accumulated from successful hits, allowing players to target distant foes or groups while maintaining rhythmic input. Support comes from Peppermint's drone, which provides ranged blaster fire and area control when summoned via partner actions, integrating seamlessly with Chai's timing to amplify without disrupting the beat. These elements combine to create fluid transitions between close-quarters brawling and strategic distancing, all synced to the for optimal performance. Combat scoring emphasizes rhythm accuracy and combo variety, with a meter that fills faster through on-beat actions and diverse move strings, unlocking higher multipliers up to 1.2x for sustained performance and dropping to 0.8x for repetition or errors. Achieving 85% or higher accuracy across battles contributes to letter grades, culminating in S-ranks for encounters that demand precise timing and overkill bonuses on defeated enemies to extend . When players maintain high accuracy, this triggers an enhanced state akin to Fever Mode, where gain amplified damage and scoring through crowd cheers and prolonged multipliers, rewarding skillful synchronization. Parrying enemy attacks precisely on the beat with the defend input depletes their stun gauges more effectively, enabling immediate counterattacks and opening windows for devastating follow-ups, further boosting scores and control in rhythmic exchanges.

Progression and Exploration

Hi-Fi Rush features a semi-linear progression system structured around 12 distinct levels known as Tracks, each themed around a department within the antagonistic Vandelay Technologies corporation, such as production, finance, or . These Tracks unfold like musical compositions, divided into verses that alternate between rhythmic platforming sequences for traversal and chorus sections dedicated to encounters. Players advance by completing these verses in sequence, with platforming elements requiring precise timing to the beat—such as jumping or dashing on cues—to navigate environmental hazards, climb structures, and reach forward progress points. This beat-matched traversal integrates seamlessly with the game's core mechanics, encouraging players to maintain momentum through the level's flowing, track-like design. Resource collection drives player advancement, primarily through gathering gears, the primary currency dropped by defeated enemies, destructible objects, and hidden caches scattered throughout the Tracks. These gears are spent at the hideout shop to purchase upgrades, including additional health tanks for increased vitality, weapon enhancements for Chai's guitar-axe, and passive chips that modify abilities like faster reverb gauge recharge or improved dodge timing. Exploration is incentivized by off-the-beaten-path areas containing gears and specialized collectibles, such as Vandelay Vlogs (narrative audio logs) and graffiti murals, which unlock cosmetic rewards and lore upon collection; rhythmic challenges, like timed button sequences during traversal, often guard these items to reward skilled beat-matching. For instance, hidden compartments or elevated ledges accessible only via precise rhythm inputs yield clusters of gears, promoting thorough scouting of each verse's environment. Progression through the skill system is gated by boss defeats at the end of major Tracks, which unlock new Tracks and expand the upgrade menu, functioning as a branching skill tree of special attacks and chip slots. fund these unlocks, starting with basic combo extenders and evolving to advanced abilities like the double jump for reaching higher platforms or wall runs along vertical surfaces, both of which demand beat synchronization to execute fluidly and access previously unreachable areas. Collectibles from , such as Life Gauge pieces and Electric Reverb Cores, further tie into this system by increasing maximum chip capacity or granting permanent stat boosts, ensuring that optional secrets contribute meaningfully to overall capability. Defeating bosses like Korsica or not only advances the narrative but also reveals new skill branches, such as enhanced aerial combos that facilitate rhythmic platforming across gaps. Secret areas, often concealed behind destructible walls or rhythm-based environmental puzzles—like syncing inputs to shatter barriers or align moving platforms—provide concentrated gear hauls and rare collectibles, deepening the incentive to revisit Tracks with newly acquired traversal tools. briefly integrates here by clearing obstructive enemies to reveal hidden paths, but remains focused on non-combat discovery.

Allies and Abilities

In Hi-Fi Rush, the protagonist Chai is supported by three key allies—, , and Korsica—each providing specialized abilities that integrate seamlessly into the game's rhythm-based system. These allies are unlocked progressively throughout the story, starting with . offers drone support for ranged attacks, focusing on precision strikes to dismantle enemy defenses and juggle foes. specializes in hacking and environmental manipulation, enabling powerful interventions and object interactions to shatter armored (Z-shielded) enemies. Korsica, via the robotic companion 808, serves as a heavy assist, delivering crowd-control effects such as stun gauge depletion and fire extinguishing through shockwaves. These companions are summoned during battles to complement Chai's actions, enhancing strategic depth without overshadowing the core mechanics. Each ally's abilities are designed to activate precisely on the musical beat, requiring players to time summons with the song's tempo for maximum effectiveness and combo potential. For instance, Peppermint's laser barrages target and destroy energy barriers or stun isolated foes, launching enemies into the air for follow-up juggles when called on-beat; her attacks recharge quickly, allowing frequent use in prolonged fights. Macaron's turret deployments and forceful punches shatter armored enemies or redirect environmental hazards like explosive barrels, with a longer cooldown balanced by high burst damage that knocks groups airborne or grounds flying threats. Korsica's interventions unleash bass-boosted shockwaves to stun clusters of enemies and deplete their stun gauges rapidly, maintaining positioning for sustained assaults while also extinguishing fire hazards. Upgrade paths for these abilities are unlocked through collectible gears and chips scattered across levels, which players spend at upgrade stations to boost recharge rates, damage output, or stun duration—prioritizing rhythmic synergy to amplify scoring and overkill bonuses. Team combo mechanics revolve around "Jam Combos," where chaining ally summons with Chai's inputs creates rhythmic finishers that grant brief invincibility and multiply damage. By cycling allies (e.g., for air juggles into Macaron's ground pounds) and timing activations to the beat using one reverb meter bar, players execute seamless transitions—such as 's aerial launch followed by Korsica's stunning shockwave—that culminate in overkill finishers for high scores. These synergies emphasize positional tactics, like switching enemies between ground and air states, rewarding precise beat-matching for fluid, music-driven assaults.

Plot

Setting and Protagonist

Hi-Fi Rush is set in a dystopian world controlled by Vandelay Technologies, a megacorporation that dominates a sprawling, self-contained resembling a vibrant infused with musical themes across its sectors. This futuristic environment, characterized by jagged skylines under clear blue skies, enforces strict corporate rule through an army of robotic enemies designed for security and production. The protagonist, Chai, is a 25-year-old college dropout and self-proclaimed future rockstar with a disabled right that hinders his musical ambitions. Desperate for a solution, he volunteers for Vandelay's experimental Project Armstrong to receive a cybernetic implant, but the procedure goes awry when his music player fuses to his chest, granting him an innate to rhythm, while his new becomes a cybernetic guitar, marking him as a "defective" to be eliminated by the corporation. He later teams up with 808, a robotic companion. The game's visual style features a colorful, hand-drawn aesthetic inspired by comic books and cel-shaded animation, which highlights the lively, rhythm-infused environments while underscoring the contrast with Vandelay's oppressive regime of robotic enforcers and technological surveillance. Opposing Chai is Kale Vandelay, the corporation's CEO, whose authoritarian leadership has suppressed the world's inherent rhythmic vitality in favor of rigid control through cybernetic enhancements and automated forces.

Main Story Arcs

The story of Hi-Fi Rush unfolds across a linear divided into several key arcs, primarily set within the sprawling facilities of Vandelay Technologies. In the opening arc, Chai, a aspiring rockstar seeking a cybernetic arm upgrade through Project Armstrong, undergoes that unexpectedly fuses his cherished music player into his chest, granting him rhythm-synced abilities but marking him as a "defect" for termination. He escapes the initial pursuit by security forces, including robotic enforcers, with the aid of 808, a robotic drone, leading him to , a rebel who reveals the corporation's sinister SPECTRA project aimed at mind-controlling consumers. This escape sets Chai on a path of rebellion, as he and Peppermint begin infiltrating Vandelay's departments to dismantle the operation from within. Subsequent arcs focus on recruitment and escalating infiltrations of factory sectors, where Chai builds his team while confronting department heads in major boss battles. During the Production department assault, Chai defeats Rekka, the fiery overseer, in a rhythm-intensified fight against mechanized assembly lines, gaining initial momentum. In the Research & Development sector, he battles Zanzo, a deceptive engineer, recruiting Macaron, a rogue technician specializing in sabotage missions that disrupt Vandelay's tech infrastructure. Further progression involves the Security department, where Chai faces Korsica in an endurance-testing clash against elite guards, ultimately swaying her to join after exposing corporate manipulations; this arc highlights team dynamics as allies provide support in coordinated assaults. Peppermint's deeper involvement leads to a pivotal betrayal reveal—she is the daughter of Vandelay's founder, Roxanne—adding tension but strengthening their resolve against the corporation's lies. The narrative builds to later arcs in and , where Chai overthrows narcissistic executive in a flashy, performance-themed showdown and topples budget-obsessed amid collapsing financial structures, collecting essential passkeys along the way. These confrontations escalate with increasingly complex robotic enforcers and environmental hazards synced to intensifying music tracks, underscoring the story's drive toward corporate downfall. The climactic arc culminates in a full-team assault on Vandelay's core tower, revealing SPECTRA's full scope as a tool for total consumer domination under CEO 's tyrannical rule. Chai defeats in a multi-phase boss fight, shutting down the project and exposing the corporation's exploitative secrets, paving the way for resolution and potential reform under Roxanne's return.

Themes and Ending

Hi-Fi Rush explores themes of against , portraying Chai as a defect in the rigid corporate structure of Vandelay Technologies, where individuality is suppressed through mind-control technology like the SPECTRA AI. The satirizes corporate via an exaggerated tech , depicting executives as comically inept yet tyrannical figures who prioritize control over humanity, with Vandelay's robotic enhancements symbolizing . Central to this is the power of music as a form of resistance, as Chai's implant syncs with his music player, granting rhythm-based abilities that disrupt the corporation's discordant order and empower personal expression against oppression. The game's symbolism contrasts as a for and with the corporation's imposed chaos and control, evident in combat sequences where syncing to the beat represents breaking free from SPECTRA's manipulative signals. Director John Johanas emphasized this by designing the action to "match with and create a living ," highlighting how musical flow liberates Chai from the mechanical conformity of Vandelay's world. In the ending sequences, this culminates as Chai's rhythmic prowess overwhelms Kale, whose failed backup protocols underscore the futility of corporate dominance against authentic creativity. The main ending resolves with Chai defeating Kale in a final confrontation, causing the executive's suit to explode and SPECTRA to shut down, allowing former CEO Roxanne to reclaim leadership and reform the company. Post-credits scenes depict Chai and his allies—Peppermint, Korsica, Macaron, and the robot 808—relaxing together, with Chai pursuing his rockstar dreams by learning guitar, symbolizing a hopeful continuation of his rebellious journey. However, a lingering threat emerges when a cleaning robot accidentally unplugs Kale's AI backup, which Chai marks with a "Do Not Touch" label, hinting at potential future conflicts. Completing all 16 hidden SPECTRA rooms unlocks ending variation, accessed via a new hub after returning to the hideout, where a digital briefly activates the backup protocol before it is thwarted, altering the to emphasize unresolved corporate remnants and a more vigilant tone for Chai's ongoing adventures. This collectible-based divergence reinforces the themes by illustrating how full resistance requires thorough dismantling of the system's hidden controls, without altering the core narrative outcome.

Development

Conception and Design

Hi-Fi Rush originated as an internal prototype at Tango Gameworks shortly after the completion of The Evil Within 2 in 2017, when game director John Johanas pitched the concept to studio founder Shinji Mikami in a 10-page document outlining a rhythm-infused action game. Johanas, inspired by a scene in the film Shaun of the Dead where characters fight zombies to the beat of a Queen song, envisioned a project that would blend high-octane combat with musical synchronization, initially developed by a small team including lead programmer Yuji Nakamura over the course of a year to create a 15-minute demo of the first level. This prototype evolved from casual office discussions into a full-fledged rhythm-action hybrid, departing from the studio's horror roots and gaining traction through viral internal playtests that demonstrated its potential. The design philosophy centered on merging Devil May Cry-style fluid action—emphasizing player freedom and combo-based combat—with rhythm game mechanics akin to , but with a deliberate focus on to avoid alienating non-rhythm players. Johanas aimed for a 70/30 split between action and rhythm elements, ensuring that off-beat inputs were rewarded rather than penalized, allowing players to "spam" buttons for basic success while mastering timing for enhanced feedback like amplified attacks and visual flair. This approach prioritized fun and responsiveness, with the game's "living soundtrack" reacting dynamically to player actions without rigid failure states, a core tenet that guided iterations from the outset. Art direction drew heavily from cel-shaded aesthetics and styles, influenced by titles like , , and Okami, to create a vibrant, non-realistic world defined by keywords such as "colorful, sharp, and clean." Led by art director , the visual identity featured bold outlines and exaggerated proportions, with iconic elements like the V-shaped Vandelay Tower serving as a central motif to evoke a . Level designs were conceptualized to mimic tracks on a , structured around specific BPM ranges (typically 130-160) with emotional arcs that aligned events, enemy encounters, and cutscenes to the beat for seamless immersion. Early prototyping from 2018 to 2020 presented significant challenges in syncing animations to dynamic soundtracks, requiring extensive trial and error to match hit impacts with musical cues like eighth or quarter notes. The small team iterated on pacing, initially struggling with sluggish combat feel before refining Unreal Engine tools like Animation Montages and Delegates to achieve precise rhythm alignment without compromising action fluidity. These hurdles, including music licensing for stem access, were overcome through persistent milestones that convinced stakeholders of the project's viability despite its unconventional hybrid nature.

Music and Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Hi-Fi Rush features a mix of licensed tracks and original compositions, curated to propel the rhythm-action gameplay through structured pacing that aligns levels with song verses, choruses, and bridges. Licensed songs, selected for their 130–160 beats per minute range to match tempo, include high-energy rock and electronic numbers such as "Lonely Boy" by , "1,000,000" and "The Perfect Drug" by , "INAZAWA CHAINSAW" by , "Invaders Must Die" by , "Whirring" by , "Wolfgang’s 5th Symphony" by , and "Honestly" by . These tracks were chosen to evoke an alt-rock vibe while exposing the artists to a gaming audience, with non-fitting ones serving as references for custom adaptations. The original score, comprising over three hours across 66 tracks, was composed by Shuichi Kobori, REO (Reo Uratani), Masatoshi Yanagi, The Glass Pyramids, John Johanas, and Kayla Brown, blending energetic rock riffs and propulsive drumming with influences from electronic (drum-and-bass), orchestral (classical), and elements to sustain tension and excitement during and fights. This fusion ensures the music dynamically layers with beats, creating a sense of performing as a rockstar. Tracks like "The Beacon" and "Rock It On" incorporate vocal performances to heighten moments, with reflecting the protagonist's journey. Audio integration emphasizes immersion through dynamic syncing, where enemy attacks, environmental interactions, and UI pulses layer onto the music in real-time, adjusting to player performance without strict timing penalties. For boss fights and cutscenes, licensed tracks undergo remixing—such as extending "" with added guitar riffs for attack cues and phase transitions—to fit specific rhythms while preserving the original's intensity. Alternate versions, including vocal-free or remastered mixes for Streamer Mode, replace licensed content with originals by Kobori and The Glass Pyramids to avoid issues during broadcasts.

Studio Challenges

During the development of Hi-Fi Rush, faced significant operational challenges stemming from Microsoft's acquisition of (parent company of ) in March 2021, which shifted studio priorities toward supporting the launch of Ghostwire: Tokyo. As director John Johanas noted, "Everybody was already kind of shifted development-wise onto Ghostwire: Tokyo. Me included," leading to delays in Hi-Fi Rush's progression as resources were reallocated to ensure the successful release of the supernatural in March 2022. This external pressure from the corporate restructuring forced the Hi-Fi Rush to pitch the project internally at before seeking broader approval, extending the overall five-year development timeline. Internally, Tango Gameworks navigated team composition issues, as the initial prototype was handled by a small group lacking prior experience in rhythm-action games, necessitating hires and upskilling to build the required expertise. Johanas explained, "All the people who were available had literally no experience making a game like this," prompting the studio to expand the team gradually while simplifying mechanics—such as adopting a call-and-response system inspired by Simon Says—to make the rhythm elements accessible without demanding precise timing from players or developers unfamiliar with the genre. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated these shifts, with lockdowns in 2020 disrupting in-person collaboration and contributing to delays in reveal planning amid canceled events like E3, forcing the team to adapt to remote work and wait for stabilized conditions. Budget limitations also shaped production, as Hi-Fi Rush began as a modest project but grew in scope, requiring cost-effective solutions like outsourcing 2D animations for cutscenes to studio Titmouse to avoid the expense of extensive in-game NPC modeling. These constraints drove innovative adaptations in Unreal Engine 4, where the team customized the engine's animation and audio systems to synchronize gameplay actions precisely with the soundtrack's beat, ensuring seamless rhythm integration without prohibitive development costs. Johanas reflected that "it was supposed to be a small project… but it was not a cheap game to make," highlighting how fiscal pressures fostered creative efficiencies in engine utilization. The culmination of these challenges influenced the game's launch strategy, with Hi-Fi Rush revealed as a surprise "shadow drop" during Microsoft's Xbox Developer_Direct showcase on January 25, 2023, launching immediately on Series X/S, PC, and day-one availability via . This approach, Johanas hoped, would deliver a "pleasant surprise" despite prior leaks of the title and logo, allowing the team to bypass traditional marketing hurdles amid ongoing acquisition-related uncertainties.

Release

Platforms and Launch

Hi-Fi Rush was released on January 25, 2023, as a console exclusive for the Xbox Series X/S, alongside a simultaneous launch on PC through the Steam and Microsoft Store platforms. The game was published by Bethesda Softworks, a subsidiary of ZeniMax Media at the time of release. The title made its debut as a surprise announcement during the Xbox Developer Direct showcase on the same day, catching audiences off guard with its immediate availability and bypassing traditional pre-release marketing cycles. This shadow drop strategy positioned Hi-Fi Rush as a "hidden gem" within the event, emphasizing its unexpected reveal over extensive hype-building campaigns. As a digital-only launch, Hi-Fi Rush was accessible from day one via for console and PC subscribers, allowing instant play without . Publishing rights were transferred to on November 14, 2025. On PC, the game requires 64-bit, with minimum specifications including an i5-6500 or 3 1200 processor, 8 GB RAM, and an GTX 1050 or RX 560 graphics card to achieve 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. These requirements are tailored to ensure stable 60 FPS performance, which is essential for the game's rhythm-based mechanics where timing accuracy aligns with the soundtrack.

Post-Launch Updates

Following the January 2023 launch, released a series of updates for Hi-Fi Rush through 2024, addressing technical issues, improving performance, and adding new content to enhance the rhythm-action experience. Early patches, including Updates 1 and 2 in February and March 2023, resolved critical bugs such as 4 fatal errors, crashes during sequences, and audio stuttering that caused desyncs between music and cues in cutscenes. These fixes were essential for maintaining the game's core rhythm mechanics, preventing disruptions in timing-based . Subsequent updates from April to August 2023 (Updates 3 through 6) continued with bug fixes for desyncs, such as issues preventing successful parries in boss phases and inconsistencies in beat during level transitions. optimizations were implemented across platforms, including reduced loading times and stability improvements for PC and console versions, alongside quality-of-life features like a streamer mode to replace licensed tracks and an auto-save indicator. enhancements built on the launch's color-blind modes by adding customizable visual indicators and single-button options for quick-time events in later patches. Update 6 in September 2023 coincided with the port, incorporating platform-specific optimizations for DualSense controller support, including adaptive triggers for charge attacks. A significant content addition arrived with Update 5 on July 5, 2023, introducing the free Arcade Challenge mode, which unlocked after completing the main story and offered two score-attack variants: BPM Rush, focused on levels with combo multipliers for high scores, and Power Up! Tower Up!, a climbing challenge emphasizing special attacks and enemy waves. These modes encouraged replayability without global leaderboards, instead tracking personal bests, and included new cosmetic outfits for Chai and companions as rewards. Alongside the version's March 2023 release, the Deluxe Upgrade Pack became available, providing immediate access to additional outfits, weapon skins, and 20,000 in-game gears to accelerate upgrade progression. The January 25, 2024, Update 7 marked the game's first anniversary with a free Anniversary Bundle of , while fixing remaining desyncs in final boss encounters and expanding controller support to reduce input latency on PC and consoles. This patch also optimized textures in cutscenes and ensured "No Fail" mode functioned reliably, contributing to overall smoother . Later patches in 2024, such as Update 8 in March, continued minor performance tweaks. A further patch is scheduled for December 4, 2025, to update in-game elements reflecting the publishing rights transfer to .

Physical Edition

In February 2024, announced a partnership with to produce physical editions of Hi-Fi Rush for Xbox Series X|S and , responding to fan demand for tangible copies of the initially digital-only title. This marked the first official physical release for the game, with both standard and collector's editions planned, though specific contents such as an art book, soundtrack vinyl, and Chai figurine were anticipated based on similar Limited Run offerings but not yet detailed publicly. Following Microsoft's closure of Tango Gameworks in May 2024, Limited Run Games reaffirmed its commitment to the project, stating that the physical editions remained on schedule. Initially targeted for the third quarter of 2024, production delays pushed the release into 2025. Following the publishing rights transfer to Krafton on November 14, 2025, the physical edition has been further delayed to early 2026, with no pre-order details announced as of November 2025. The physical editions include reversible and a digital deluxe code granting access to post-launch updates, including cosmetic items. merchandise, such as the official soundtrack available on streaming platforms and branded apparel, complements the collection for fans. The announcement has been positively received by the community, highlighting ongoing enthusiasm for preservation amid licensing concerns for the game's licensed .

Reception

Critical Reviews

Hi-Fi Rush received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, earning aggregated scores that underscored its innovative blend of rhythm-action gameplay with stylish combat. On , the Xbox Series X version holds a score of 87/100 based on 63 critic reviews, while the PC version scores 90/100 based on 24 reviews, and the version scores 88/100 based on 25 reviews, reflecting broad praise for its fresh take on the rhythm-action genre. aggregates a "" rating of 89/100 from 138 critics, positioning it among the top 2% of reviewed games. Critics frequently lauded the game's seamless integration of into every aspect of , from timing to environmental feedback, creating an immersive and addictive experience. The vibrant cel-shaded and charismatic characters were highlighted for their , contributing to a sense of joy and humor that permeates the . Replayability was another strong point, driven by rhythm-scoring that encourage multiple playthroughs to achieve perfect synchronization and unlock upgrades. awarded it a 9/10, describing it as a "memorable journey that marches to the beat of its own drum" and stands among action greats due to its stunning animation and lovable cast. GameSpot also gave 9/10, commending the "excellent rhythm-based that rewards timing" and creative boss fights enhanced by licensed tracks. Some reviewers noted drawbacks, such as repetitive level designs in later sections that could feel drawn out, particularly in platforming segments with floaty controls. Difficulty spikes were occasionally cited as a hurdle for players less attuned to rhythm mechanics, potentially disrupting the otherwise accessible flow. Despite these, the game was often celebrated as a surprise hit from , diverging successfully from their horror roots to deliver an unrepentant riot of energy.

Commercial Performance

Hi-Fi Rush achieved significant player engagement shortly after its January 2023 launch, reaching over 2 million players within its first month, a figure that encompassed both direct purchases and subscriptions. This rapid uptake was bolstered by the game's day-one availability on Game Pass, which Xbox executive Aaron Greenberg described as a key factor in its performance across internal metrics for 2023. On , the title peaked at 6,132 concurrent users during launch week, reflecting strong initial interest despite the subscription model diluting traditional sales. Traditional retail and digital sales remained modest, with estimates placing ownership between 500,000 and 1 million units by mid-2023, contributing to overall revenue of approximately $23 million on that platform alone. These figures underscored the game's reliance on Game Pass for broader reach, as direct sales fell short of expectations for a standalone title but aligned with Xbox's subscription-driven benchmarks for success in 2023. Player engagement persisted into 2024 at a steady but lower level, with seeing an average of around 300 concurrent users monthly, occasionally spiking to 500 or more during promotional events such as its inclusion in the May 2024 Humble bundle. No official revenue disclosures have been made public, though industry reports highlight the game's profitability through the Game Pass ecosystem, where subscription access offset limited upfront purchases. Critical acclaim further amplified these downloads, positioning Hi-Fi Rush as a standout example of Game Pass's value in driving engagement.

Awards and Nominations

Hi-Fi Rush received widespread industry recognition following its release, earning multiple wins and nominations at prestigious awards ceremonies in 2023 and 2024, particularly for its innovative audio integration and animation. The game won Best Audio Design at , where it was also nominated for Best Game Direction, Best Action/Adventure Game, Best Art Direction, and Best Score and Music. At the 24th Annual in 2024, Hi-Fi Rush secured two victories: Best Breakthrough and Best Audio. It was nominated in additional categories including Game of the Year and Innovation Award. The game also triumphed at the 20th BAFTA Games Awards in 2024, winning for , while receiving nominations for Artistic Achievement and Audio Achievement.
Award CeremonyYearWinsNominations
The Game Awards2023Best Audio DesignBest Game Direction, Best , Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music
2024Best Breakthrough, Best AudioGame of the Year, Innovation Award
BAFTA Games Awards2024Artistic Achievement, Audio Achievement
2024NoneOutstanding Achievement in , Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design, of the Year
NAVGTR Awards2023, Artistic; Gameplay Design, New IP; Game, ; Original Light Mix Score, New IP; Song Collection; Use of Sound, New IPMultiple additional categories
Hi-Fi Rush garnered further accolades, including six wins at the 2023 NAVGTR Awards, highlighting its contributions to design and . Overall, the accumulated at least 13 nominations across major events, reflecting its acclaim for fusing mechanics with action .

Legacy

Cultural Impact

Hi-Fi Rush garnered significant media attention as Xbox's surprise hit following its shadow drop launch in January 2023, quickly becoming a showcase for the potential of to drive engagement with experimental titles. Outpacing expectations without traditional marketing, the game reached over two million players within weeks, fueling discussions on how Game Pass enables mid-budget successes and counters narratives that subscription models undermine sales. This visibility highlighted the viability of surprise releases in sustaining player interest and industry innovation. The game's narrative, centered on a against an oppressive megacorporation, resonated deeply within 2023-2024 gaming discourse amid widespread industry layoffs and studio closures, including itself. Antagonists like Zanzo, embodying , and Roquefort, prioritizing profit over creativity, mirrored real-world critiques of corporate practices, amplifying conversations about worker exploitation and accountability in game development. Its portrayal of a diverse band of allies—including a human protagonist, robotic companion, and eclectic rebels—further echoed themes of collective resistance, aligning with broader calls for inclusive storytelling in gaming. Hi-Fi Rush contributed to a revival of interest in the rhythm-action genre, blending combat with musical timing in a way that inspired renewed development in similar titles. The game's success prompted announcements for sequels in the space, such as No Straight Roads 2, set for release in 2026, signaling growing publisher confidence in rhythm-driven experiences. Fan communities flourished in response, with players creating and sharing of characters like Chai, depicting the vibrant world, and user-generated rhythm challenge videos that extended the game's beat-matching mechanics beyond official play.

Studio Acquisition and Future Prospects

In May 2024, Microsoft shut down Tango Gameworks as part of a broader restructuring effort at Bethesda to prioritize high-impact titles, despite the studio's critical success with Hi-Fi Rush the previous year. The closure led to the dispersal of the studio's team, with many developers laid off amid fan backlash over the decision. On August 12, 2024, announced a strategic agreement with to acquire in its entirety, including the Hi-Fi Rush intellectual property, effectively reviving the studio just months after its closure. The deal enabled to rehire key staff, including Hi-Fi Rush director John Johanas, who confirmed his return and expressed enthusiasm for continuing the studio's work. In June 2025, officially relaunched under , updating its branding and beginning hiring for a new project alongside continued support for existing IPs. On November 14, 2025, took over publishing duties for Hi-Fi Rush from , with an in-game patch scheduled for December 4, 2025, to update elements like logos while ensuring no changes to player access, Game Pass availability, or existing content. Krafton has outlined plans to expand the Hi-Fi Rush franchise, including planned DLC content, a potential port to the Nintendo Switch—which remains unannounced despite earlier developer interest—and a sequel in development that may incorporate more open-world elements to evolve the rhythm-action gameplay. A prototype for the sequel had already been in progress for six months prior to the acquisition, signaling ongoing commitment to the IP across PC and console platforms. Krafton CEO Changhan 'CH' Kim emphasized that the acquisition prioritizes preserving Tango Gameworks' creative legacy over short-term financial gains, stating, "We don't think Hi-Fi Rush 2 is going to make us money... but it's part of our attempt [to support innovation]." Kim noted the deal's focus on rehiring as many original team members as possible to foster continued experimentation, even if future projects like the sequel may not yield immediate profits.

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  98. https://www.krafton.com/en/news/press/krafton-strengthens-global-presence-through-strategic-integration-of-tango-gameworks-and-hi-fi-rush-ip/
  99. https://www.ign.com/articles/hi-fi-rush-director-i-want-to-cherish-this-ip
  100. https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action/were-back-baby-hi-fi-rush-and-tango-gameworks-have-been-resurrected-by-pubg-publisher-krafton-with-50-transferred-developers-now-working-on-hi-fi-rush-2/
  101. https://www.gameinformer.com/2025/06/02/hi-fi-rush-developer-tango-gameworks-officially-relaunches-and-is-making-a-new-action
  102. https://www.purexbox.com/news/2025/11/hi-fi-rush-is-now-published-by-krafton-and-its-staying-on-xbox-game-pass
  103. https://www.ign.com/articles/hi-fi-rush-2-dev-wants-it-to-have-a-more-open-world-type-of-experience-new-owner-says
  104. https://game8.co/articles/latest/hi-fi-rush-open-world-sequel-and-dlc-greenlit-by-new-publisher
  105. https://www.eurogamer.net/hi-fi-rush-2-already-in-development-six-months-when-krafton-acquired-tango-gameworks
  106. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/krafton-ceo-says-it-acquired-tango-for-its-creativity-even-if-hi-fi-rush-2-wont-make-money/
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