It's often been said that good games copy others, but great games create influence for others to copy. Very few recent great games challenge this idea more than Hi-Fi Rush. Equal parts Devil May Cry, Metal Gear Rising, Jet Set Radio, Sunset Overdrive and Guitar Hero; it's a whimsical, saccharine, corny, delightful, funny, silly, goofy and extremely light hearted character action romp, and the first must play game of 2023.

The character writing is just sharp enough to not be grating, the performances are all stellar, the art and level design is gorgeous (cel shading can never die) and the combat system is deeper than it might appear, but the real gem here is the soundtrack. Few games have ever used licensed music more effectively than this. From Nine Inch Nails to The Prodigy to fucking Zwan, this game is a treasure trove of mid-2000s goofy cool. It's a game that feels like it was made by a bunch of 17 year olds in the best way possible. Play it.