The rise of live-service games has led developers to find new ways of getting players to stick around a lot longer after they roll credits. Most single-player games that offer endgame content typically consist of a New Game+ mode or harder difficulty settings. By contrast, Hi-Fi Rush - the highly stylized rhythm-action game from Tango Gameworks - offers more incentives that demonstrate why developers should work on their post-credit offerings.
Hi-Fi Rush plays like a mix between Guitar Hero and Devil May Cry, as players perform actions to the beat of the music so that they can build up a combo meter. The entire game revolves around music, so attacks, parries, dodges, and special abilities can all be performed on the beat for a higher score. While Hi-Fi Rush's story is a fun and entertaining adventure, upon completing the game players are treated to several menus' worth of added features, modes, and unlockables that highlight its staying power.
Hi-Fi Rush's Story is Just the Beginning
The roughly 12-hour story of Hi-Fi Rush takes players through as many unique stages that offer hidden secrets and collectibles. Although these stages are linear, there are several moments where players are unable to access certain areas. As they progress through the story, Chai gathers new companions with abilities that are able to unlock these areas, but they remain inaccessible throughout the first playthrough. Players are instead encouraged to revisit them after unlocking the Level Selection feature.
Continuing a playthrough with Level Selection essentially plays like New Game+ as players retain all their upgrades and abilities to complete previous stages. Combined with the score and grading system of each encounter, Level Selection makes it easy for players to get the best scores possible. It also allows players to choose which difficulty they'd like to play through each stage at any time, and completing the story unlocks several other features that add to its longevity.
Rhythm Master difficulty is added, new challenges allow players to earn more rewards, costumes and a jukebox become available, the Model Viewer adds new collectibles, and Rhythm Tower is unlocked after the credits roll. Similar to the endgame content in titles like Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, these new features and modes add substantial replayability to Hi-Fi Rush that can potentially test even the most hardcore fans. While costumes, the jukebox, and Model Viewer inspire those who want to gather collectibles, Rhythm Tower and Rhythm Master offer the most gameplay depth.
Endgame Content in Hi-Fi Rush Is a True Test of Skill
Like the Bloody Palace from Devil May Cry, Rhythm Tower provides a continuous challenge where players beat waves of enemies that progressively get more difficult with each floor. There is also a timer that constantly ticks down, ensuring players don't get sloppy with their combos so that more time can be added after each wave. Every five floors, players may exit the tower to claim their rewards, as running out of time or dying means they lose all progress and receive nothing. They can spend some of their remaining time on recovery items like health or battery packs, with larger recovery costing more time.
The progression of Rhythm Tower and its risk/reward mechanics offer a demanding challenge. For those looking to get the most punishing experience possible, Rhythm Master difficulty puts even more on the table. In addition to setting the highest amount of enemy health, the most damage taken, and the smallest timing windows, players receive an instant Game Over if the combo meter falls to a "D" rank. This should lead to plenty of player-driven challenges like beating Elden Ring at Level 1, as they must utilize every tool in their arsenal and have the most precise timing to beat Hi-Fi Rush.
Hi-Fi Rush is available now on PC and Xbox Series X/S.