Hi-Fi Rush debuted last year as an Xbox and PC exclusive, developed by Tango Gameworks—the studio behind The Evil Within and Ghostwire Tokyo. It’s an action rhythm game with hack-and-slash mechanics, where everything syncs to a continuous musical beat. Even combat relies on matching your actions to the rhythm, making it one of the best Xbox exclusives of 2023.
Now, a year later, Microsoft has ended its exclusivity, releasing it for PlayStation 5 alongside three other games. Bethesda, the game’s publisher, sent us a PS5 copy for review, letting us dive deep into its performance and DualSense controller features. Let’s explore how Hi-Fi Rush performs on PS5!
The Story
In rhythm-based games, the story often serves as a backdrop to the action, and Hi-Fi Rush is no exception. The plot revolves around Chai, a music lover dreaming of becoming a guitarist. After a mishap at Vandelay Robotics, where he gets a robotic arm, his music player is fused into his chest, syncing his world to musical beats.
Labeled as “defective,” Vandelay hunts him down. Along the way, Chai meets Peppermint and her robotic cat, 808, who join him to uncover a secret project by the company. The narrative is simple yet effective, enriched by humor and memorable characters, ensuring an enjoyable experience.
Gameplay
Hi-Fi Rush combines rhythm-based mechanics with action-packed hack-and-slash gameplay. Combat revolves around synchronizing attacks, dodges, and counters with the musical beat, aiming for the highest score. Players explore a linear world, collecting gears to unlock new abilities for Chai and his allies. Special abilities deal massive damage to enemies.
The game introduces various enemy types, each requiring different strategies. With 12 stages spanning roughly 10 hours, each level brings new environments, enemies, and upgrades. While combat shines as the game’s highlight, platforming sections can be challenging and lead to occasional frustration.
Graphics and Sound
Hi-Fi Rush adopts a vibrant, cartoon-like visual style, diverging from Tango Gameworks’ previous dark tones. The colorful graphics feel like a mix of animated movies and anime, complementing the game’s humorous vibe.
Sound design is another standout, with dynamic, energetic music adapting to the action. The voice acting also adds depth, making the characters and story even more engaging.
Technical Performance
Hi-Fi Rush performs exceptionally well on PS5, running at 4K resolution and 60 FPS without any noticeable frame drops. Compared to Xbox Series X, the PS5 version offers slightly better shadow rendering and faster load times (1.6 seconds on PS5 vs. 2.5 seconds on Xbox).
The game fully utilizes the PS5’s DualSense controller features, particularly the Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback, which enhance the immersive experience by syncing vibrations with the rhythm and action.
In conclusion, Hi-Fi Rush is one of the best action rhythm games of this generation. Its PS5 release makes it accessible to a broader audience, and if you own a PS5, this game is a must-play.
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