Tango Gameworks’ next game is Hi-Fi Rush, a rhythm adventure game in development exclusively for the Xbox Series X|S, and it’s out tonight.
Announced at the Xbox Developer_Direct showcase, the trailer showcased a funky comic art style, original tunes, and rhythm-based action and combat. Tango Gameworks is launching the game today, including a Game Pass release – with plans to hit digital storefronts a few hours after the showcase ends.
Hi-Fi Rush’s rhythm-based gameplay permeates every aspect of its world. Playing as the reluctant rock star Chai, you’re the victim of a strange corporate experiment that allows you to feel the rhythm of the world to the beat of the game’s soundtrack. So everything: your attacks, enemy attacks, obstacles, cuts, everything happens to the beat of the music.
But Tango insists it’s not a punishing rhythm game. You can jump, dodge, parry and attack using any of the buttons, and they’ll automatically match the beat of the music – but if you manage to keep the beat right, you’ll do more damage or set up powerful combos. Chai’s companion 808, a small robotic cat, follows and offers light visual assistance to help players keep the beat, and more accessibility options are also available.
While Hi-Fi Rush has its own original soundtrack, artists such as Nine Inch Nails, The Black Keys, The Prodigy, The Joy Formidable, Number Girl, Wolfgang Gartner and Zwan have licensed music for boss battles.
Japanese studio Tango Gameworks, best known for The Evil Within, was part of Xbox’s acquisition of Zenimax in 2021. His most recent release is Ghostwire: Tokyo, which we praised for bringing Japanese culture and mythology to life.
Hi-Fi Rush was a showcase piece featuring Minecraft Legends and more. Everything revealed during today’s Xbox Developer-Direct can be found here.
Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @duckvalentine.