Tango Gameworks' latest title, Hi-Fi Rush, shadow-dropped on January 25 after its announcement at the Xbox & Bethesda Developer_Direct. The game has become an overnight phenomenon and is being revered as an early Game of the Year contender, one that has become a best-selling title for Microsoft. However, Hi-Fi Rush will have a much longer tail than the Developer_Direct, likely through the work of dedicated speedrunners.
While players are exploring every corner of this new experience from the creators of The Evil Within, discovering Hi-Fi Rush's many references to other well-known works of popular culture, others are enjoying its fun mix of hack-and-slash mechanics with fast-paced music. Because one's level of skill affects how elements like music play throughout the game, there's plenty of incentive to discover the spectacular combos that can be performed, and find ways to finish the game in the shortest time possible.
Hi-Fi Rush is a Game For All Kinds of Players
For a game from a studio like Tango Gameworks to appear out of nowhere is surprising to say the least, especially considering the way companies typically go through grueling marketing campaigns that drag on for years before a product hits store shelves. Not to mention the fact that Hi-Fi Rush's direct release on Xbox Game Pass has allowed people to enjoy it from the very beginning at no additional cost.
Hi-Fi Rush's acclaim comes from the sense that it has something to offer for every type of player. If people are only interested in overcoming the story without major complications, they will spend a few solid hours platforming and fighting to the sound of music they're driving. However, if their goal is to exploit the experience to its fullest extent, Hi-Fi Rush will offer a chance to invest dozens of hours testing their skills.
This is where speedrunners come in with the dedication to finishing games as quickly as possible. In the case of Hi-Fi Rush's action, some bosses and levels can be challenging, and finishing the game requires good reflexes and timing - something that works great for fans of games like Devil May Cry. Hi-Fi Rush has a fun combat system that encourages perfection, with more depth than it might seem at first. Yet it has a simple control scheme that allows players to execute a good variety of combos, making it a perfect title for players who seek perfection.
World Records for Hi-Fi Rush are Already Rolling Out
In addition to the different combo attacks available in Hi-Fi Rush, there is a key factor that makes this game stand out from its contemporaries: the rhythm. Absolutely everything moves to the beat of the music, including the animations of protagonist Chai and his enemies, and even the stages themselves through the way platforms behave. This creates a festive atmosphere that gets the rhythm into players' bodies, helping them visually keep the beat and measure the time in a way speedrunners will certainly appreciate. Audiences will also no doubt appreciate the spectacle of seeing the game run in perfect harmony at unintended speeds.
Just after launch, YouTuber DemonicRobots set what they referred to as the first Any% world record for Hi-Fi Rush in a video released January 26. The main plot of the title lasts about 10 hours, but he finished in just over 3 hours and 37 minutes. Despite the skill on display, others have already begun putting in time to break new records for Hi-Fi Rush, and it will undoubtedly become a contender at speedrunning events like AGDQ going forward.
Hi-Fi Rush is available now on PC and Xbox Series X/S.