Hi-Fi Rush review: Xbox’s rhythm-action game arrived on Game Pass at the perfect time

Hi-Fi RushThis is the beacon of hope. The rhythm-based character-action game from Tango Gameworks showed up at this week’s Xbox Developer Direct, only to be surprise-released moments later on Game Pass and Steam. Although the unexpected arrival of the game was surprising, it felt appropriate given its timing. It’s a power fantasy about tearing down an evil corporation whose executives treat workers like fodder in the endless pursuit of wealth.

The premise might seem trivial to you in another time. Chai, the protagonist, is an obsessed child with music, who spouts out puns constantly. Vandelay Technologies offers robotic augmentation. An incident leads to his iPod being inserted into his chest, and now the world is in sync with his playlist — a mix of an original score with licensed tracks from the likes of Nine Inch Nails, The Black Keys, and The Prodigy.

Vandelay instantly deems his protagonist a defect, and dispatches an army to kill him. Mixing rhythm-infused video games with combat that is reminiscent of Devil May Cry, Vandelay creates a hybrid of fighting styles such as the Devil May Cry Series and the spirit of rhythm-infused gaming like There are no straight roadsAnd Metal: Hellsinger, the game sees Chai band together with a crew of surprisingly likeable characters to hack, slash, dodge, and jump to the beat, all in an attempt to expose Vandelay’s evil deeds to the masses.

You move up 12 levels from QA to finance. Each office corridor is filled with surveillance robots and Vandelay propaganda. The NPCs are able to talk with you about your overwork, and fears of losing their jobs. Chai is also asked not to become a narc when he sees them taking five while lying on the ground.

Chai traverses the colorful open world of Hi-Fi Rush

An early level puts you up against Zanzo, a boss in charge of developing SPECTRA, an AI designed to let Vandelay control people’s thoughts — a poignant scenario, considering the latest trend that is already proving to be a disaster. As you plunge through the R&D department, one of Zanzo’s employees warns him about wasting budget on increasingly extravagant, yet ultimately useless weaponry. Unsurprisingly, he ignores the warning. Hi-Fi Rush is quick to make fun of the mistake: The game’s UI displays a percentage bar to show his budget shrinking in real time. “Balancing creativity with realistic goals is the mark of a good leader,” says one of your teammates. “Clearly Zanzo needs guidance.”

We’re only a few weeks into 2023, but layoffs are rampant across tech and media — even at Microsoft, which owns Hi-Fi Rush’s publisher Bethesda — as people continue to fight for unionization. Hi-Fi RushThis is a hopeful, cathartic way of destroying corporate systems and the people who run them.

Chai attacks a robotic enemy in Hi-Fi Rush

There has been much written on the topic of quips. Bespoken this past week, comparing the dialogue to Joss Whedon’s work, and citing it as yet another casualty of the Marvel-ization of storytelling. Hi-Fi RushThis is where Chai is at fault, however, its satire and characters are so poignant that they work. Chai’s jokes can be silly, but he’s unwilling to let his and his teammates’ spirits flicker, determined to keep moving forward and shutting down the deluded plans of Vandelay’s c-suite. It’s all about context.

While the Shadow Drop was a novel concept in itself, this game is an amazing success. Gorgeous animations Jet Set RadioThe esque style is vibrant and captivating. A variety of visual and audio aids make it easy to learn the mechanics. The positive, vibrant energy in each beat will keep you moving as you defeat a company that was built upon a lackluster vision. Hi-Fi RushThis is the ideal time to release your emotions with a soothing anthem.

Hi-Fi Rush The game was launched on January 25th on Windows PCs and Xbox Series X. Xbox.com reviewed the game. Vox Media is an affiliate partner. They do not affect editorial content. However, Vox Media might earn commissions for products bought via affiliate links. Find out more. additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.