Xbox and Bethesda's recent Developer_Direct had a few surprises in store, including the announcement of new rhythm action game Hi-Fi Rush. Tango Gameworks' newest title is a high-energy music-based game, and it has already exploded onto the market with an unexpectedly rapid release. Immediately following its announcement, Hi-Fi Rush launched on January 25, and players have already had a pretty positive response to the colorful title despite its massive departure from previous Tango Gameworks releases.
Hi-Fi Rush may not have been a complete shock for some fans, as it did leak ahead of the Developer_Direct, although players weren't quite sure what it was going to entail or how soon they would actually be able to play it. Now that it's out, there have been some comparisons drawn to other games such as Insomniac Games' Sunset Overdrive thanks to Hi-Fi Rush's artstyle and vibrant demeanor. Although a sequel for Sunset Overdrive isn't currently confirmed, it's not hard to see Hi-Fi Rush as an extension of that IP for any fans looking for a similar experience.
Introducing Hi-Fi Rush
In a complete departure from its previous games like The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo, developer Tango Gameworks has announced and then very swiftly released Hi-Fi Rush. The rhythm-based action game follows wannabe rock star Chai and his team of fellow misfits as they take on a corrupt tech megacorp through the power of music. Hi-Fi Rush's energetic and cartoonishly colorful world is completely synced to the beat, from the various in-game puzzles and platforming sections to enemy attacks during combat.
Players can use powerful beat-infused abilities and combos as they face off against armies of robotic enemies together with their team of rebellious allies in its creative combat. Hi-Fi Rush also has a superb soundtrack, with recognizable bands and artists mixed in with original music and even alternative options for streamers looking to avoid licensing issues. With bosses that head up each of the antagonistic corporation's departments like Finance, Production, and Marketing, Hi-Fi Rush also embraces its tongue-in-cheek humor similarly to games like The Outer Worlds or Sunset Overdrive.
How Hi-Fi Rush Fills The Sunset Overdrive 2 Void
Insomniac Games' high-octane action gameSunset Overdrive certainly had its fans, with praise directed at its rambunctious humor, vibrant design, and fluid traversal system. There may have been some criticism aimed at Sunset Overdrive's story and the execution of its multiplayer, but due to the first game's overall success, many players expected an announcement of a sequel in the years since its release. However, despite the fact that Sunset Overdrive launched in 2014, Sunset Overdrive 2 is still not forthcoming. While there may have been some hopes in that quarter after Insomniac Games was acquired by Sony, fans are still waiting for news that a sequel is being developed.
In the absence of a Sunset Overdrive 2, other games are able to step into the gap the sequel has left. On paper, Hi-Fi Rush may not have a lot in common with the action-adventure shooter where players fight energy drink-addled monsters, but fans might be surprised by the similarities. Both games share a joyfully exuberant art style full of bright colors, in addition to animations that happily ignore realism and embrace a cartoon aesthetic. The silly humor and an anti-corporation sentiment also run through both Sunset Overdrive and Hi-Fi Rush and give both titles a similar vibe, and Hi-Fi Rush's ragtag group of allies coming together also mirrors the journey of Sunset Overdrive's protagonist.
Hi-Fi Rush is available now for PC and Xbox Series X/S.