Hi-Fi Rush is best described as a linear 3D character action beat-em up with rhythm game combat sequences, a Sunset Overdrive aesthetic, a comic book feel with a bit of a Persona 5-lite look, and the visual presentation and story of a Saturday Morning Cartoon.
While Hi-Fi Rush has the standard combat action gameplay with light platforming sections, light and heavy attacks along with a dodge button, collectible items to upgrade your health and special meters, data pads with information about the lore of the game world and gears to use to purchase more attacks and abilities, Hi-Fi Rush adds a gimmick to its combat. Everything in the game from the soundtrack to the environment pulses to the rhythm. Pressing the attack button at the right moment (or on-beat as the game refers to it) will give you a damage boost in combat. The game doesn't penalize you for attacking offbeat as this just gives you a damage boost in certain instances, so the game can be played perfectly fine like a normal action game. Though, there are cues and accessibility options to make attacking on-beat much easier.
Combat also includes a Devil May Cry-like letter grading system based on attacking, parrying, and landing attacks on beat. With multiple difficulties between Easy and Very Hard, this provides a good level of replayability for anyone wanting to chase after high scores.
Throughout the game, Chai will meet new characters in his quest to take down Spectra. These characters can be used in combat as extra tools in Chai's arsenal, and will also be used while moving and platforming through levels to solve mostly straightforward rhythm puzzles, hit switches, and break down walls and barriers along with stunning enemies and breaking their shields.
Between tracks (levels and missions), Chai can roam around a hideout that acts as a central hub. This small hub allows Chai to chat with the few friends he meets during the story (nothing Bioware-like, simply picking a few options), check and purchase upgrades, view found graffiti and collectibles, and even participate in pretty feature-rich training simulator mode akin to the practice modes in many modern day fighting games.
Boss battles are highly entertaining as every boss has different phases which can take the form of a typical 3D action battle, a timed mini-game, or a short Guitar Hero-esque rhythm section. As a bonus, dying during boss battles only puts you back to the beginning of the last phase you completed, so no having to play the entire battle all over again upon death.
As far as issues go, my only real (albeit minor) complaint with Hi-Fi Rush is that the combat lacks the ability to lock onto enemies. Combat works very well and you eventually gain the ability to launch yourself directly toward an enemy you're facing for direct combos, but a lock-on option would have been a handy utility with how frantic and hyperactive combat sections can get.
Microsoft not only did a good job shadow-dropping this game at the start of the year but also shadow-dropping an exclusive title bustling with flash, substance, style, and flashiness with 8s, 9s, and 10s across the board. For people who have a low tolerance for or dislike timed/rhythm-based button inputs and quick time events, Hi-Fi Rush may offer more frustration and difficulty than fun. Otherwise, fans of Devil May Cry, pre-reboot God of War, Bayonetta, and similar games may find Hi-Fi Rush to be a very worthy contender.
While Hi-Fi Rush has the standard combat action gameplay with light platforming sections, light and heavy attacks along with a dodge button, collectible items to upgrade your health and special meters, data pads with information about the lore of the game world and gears to use to purchase more attacks and abilities, Hi-Fi Rush adds a gimmick to its combat. Everything in the game from the soundtrack to the environment pulses to the rhythm. Pressing the attack button at the right moment (or on-beat as the game refers to it) will give you a damage boost in combat. The game doesn't penalize you for attacking offbeat as this just gives you a damage boost in certain instances, so the game can be played perfectly fine like a normal action game. Though, there are cues and accessibility options to make attacking on-beat much easier.
Combat also includes a Devil May Cry-like letter grading system based on attacking, parrying, and landing attacks on beat. With multiple difficulties between Easy and Very Hard, this provides a good level of replayability for anyone wanting to chase after high scores.
Throughout the game, Chai will meet new characters in his quest to take down Spectra. These characters can be used in combat as extra tools in Chai's arsenal, and will also be used while moving and platforming through levels to solve mostly straightforward rhythm puzzles, hit switches, and break down walls and barriers along with stunning enemies and breaking their shields.
Between tracks (levels and missions), Chai can roam around a hideout that acts as a central hub. This small hub allows Chai to chat with the few friends he meets during the story (nothing Bioware-like, simply picking a few options), check and purchase upgrades, view found graffiti and collectibles, and even participate in pretty feature-rich training simulator mode akin to the practice modes in many modern day fighting games.
Boss battles are highly entertaining as every boss has different phases which can take the form of a typical 3D action battle, a timed mini-game, or a short Guitar Hero-esque rhythm section. As a bonus, dying during boss battles only puts you back to the beginning of the last phase you completed, so no having to play the entire battle all over again upon death.
As far as issues go, my only real (albeit minor) complaint with Hi-Fi Rush is that the combat lacks the ability to lock onto enemies. Combat works very well and you eventually gain the ability to launch yourself directly toward an enemy you're facing for direct combos, but a lock-on option would have been a handy utility with how frantic and hyperactive combat sections can get.
Microsoft not only did a good job shadow-dropping this game at the start of the year but also shadow-dropping an exclusive title bustling with flash, substance, style, and flashiness with 8s, 9s, and 10s across the board. For people who have a low tolerance for or dislike timed/rhythm-based button inputs and quick time events, Hi-Fi Rush may offer more frustration and difficulty than fun. Otherwise, fans of Devil May Cry, pre-reboot God of War, Bayonetta, and similar games may find Hi-Fi Rush to be a very worthy contender.