Hi-Fi Rush

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 11,215 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • story
Hi-Fi Rush Game Cover
A loud, vibrant, and fun experience from start to finish. No skips on this one.
Starting at $13.99Buy now
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Discover Hi-Fi Rush on the official PlayStation website. Check out trailers, screenshots and game features, and read about the powers Chai and his crew can use against evil corporate bosses.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,215 reviews
music1,737 positive mentions
monetization39 negative mentions
  • music3,742 mentions

    The music in "Hi-Fi Rush" has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and engaging soundtrack, which features a mix of original compositions and licensed tracks from well-known artists like Nine Inch Nails and The Prodigy. Players appreciate how the entire game world, including character movements and enemy attacks, syncs to the beat of the music, enhancing the rhythm-based combat experience and creating a vibrant, immersive atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's overall enjoyment and replayability.

    • “The soundtrack is a masterful blend of rhythm and fighting mechanics, can't recommend the game enough if you like either of the genres, plus the music is really good, even in streamer mode which replaces the licensed songs with original music.”
    • “The music, the art style, the sound design, and the gameplay all come together to create an incredibly engaging experience that is both challenging and immensely satisfying.”
    • “The music is phenomenal, both the licensed tracks and the original score, and the way that it's enhanced and accented by every single sound effect is unlike almost anything I've ever played.”
    • “The music really lacks the 'kick' it should have for one of these semi-rhythm action games, but there's a number of very fun songs that will stand out above the rest in memory.”
    • “The licensed songs are all a bit generic; they remind me of Shadow the Hedgehog's soundtrack - they all sound fine but they leave no lasting impact, especially when up against the actual tunes from actual rock bands.”
    • “The original songs for the game just sound like any other generic video game music, not awful but certainly not interesting.”
  • gameplay2,224 mentions

    The gameplay of Hi-Fi Rush has been widely praised for its innovative blend of rhythm mechanics and hack-and-slash action, reminiscent of titles like Devil May Cry. Players appreciate the engaging combat system that rewards timing and skill, with a variety of mechanics introduced gradually to keep the experience fresh and exciting. While some critiques mention the parry mechanic's late introduction and occasional overwhelming complexity, the overall consensus highlights the game's fun, addictive nature, vibrant art style, and a killer soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “The gameplay is also amazing; I think the best way to describe it is Devil May Cry combos mixed with a rhythm game.”
    • “A masterful blend of rhythm and fighting mechanics; can't recommend the game enough if you like either of the genres, plus the music is really good, even in streamer mode which replaces the licensed songs with original music.”
    • “The gameplay is solid; even if you're unfamiliar with rhythm games, you don't get punished for it, but you do get rewarded for hitting to the beat.”
    • “The parry mechanic comes a bit too late in the game, as there are a couple of encounters beforehand that act as skill checks, and I felt that during that fight, 'man, I wish I had a parry mechanic right now.' If you got the parry mechanic beforehand, then fought the robots, it would be a lot better.”
    • “The gameplay feels repetitive and boring in the beginning, but as more moves were added and more characters were introduced, I began to really enjoy the entire game.”
    • “The gameplay is simplistic with lots of button-mashing and timed events, but the art style, music, and overall story make it nice and fun.”
  • story1,800 mentions

    The story of "Hi-Fi Rush" is generally described as simple yet engaging, often likened to a lighthearted Saturday morning cartoon. While it may not offer deep narrative complexity, players appreciate its humor, charming characters, and the way it complements the rhythm-based gameplay. The game balances fun storytelling with enjoyable combat, making it a delightful experience overall, despite some predictable plot elements.

    • “The story is absolutely lovely.”
    • “The story is a lot of fun, and ends up being a feel-good narrative with lovable characters and clever writing.”
    • “Lovely story, great cast of characters, and overall a lovely time that'll put a smile on your face as you bash robots according to the rhythm of the background music!”
    • “The only place where the story and characters kinda falter is in a rather big revelation and emotionally heavy plot point that's not exactly brushed aside but they try to diffuse the tension with some pretty bad attempts at humor.”
    • “While the gameplay is stellar, I was not the biggest fan of the story itself.”
    • “The story is predictable, but the writing is clever and funny with good character moments.”
  • graphics1,263 mentions

    The graphics of "Hi-Fi Rush" have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant, comic book-inspired art style that combines cel-shading with dynamic animations. Reviewers highlight the game's colorful visuals, which effectively sync with the rhythm-based gameplay, creating an engaging and immersive experience reminiscent of early 2000s cartoons. Overall, the art direction is praised for its creativity and charm, making it a standout feature that enhances the game's fun and energetic atmosphere.

    • “The art style is a perfect match, all of the characters you meet are unique and likable, and to tie it all together the music and game play are terrific.”
    • “The visuals are vibrant, gorgeous and well-animated, with characters that are expressive and full of life.”
    • “Hi-fi rush is a rhythm dmc style combat game with jetset radio graphics.”
    • “The visuals are tiring with their 'make it look like a cartoon but with 3D models so we can save money' animations.”
    • “The graphic aspect might not be the strongest, as even though the cell-shaded graphics look pretty good and the overall art style inspired by anime and western comics is refreshing for a western game, there were definitely moments where facial details were obscured by the shaders, or there were times where the art style felt inconsistent, with both renders and cutscenes.”
    • “The cutscenes visuals keep lagging behind the audio.”
  • humor797 mentions

    The humor in "Hi-Fi Rush" is widely praised for its charm and effectiveness, often drawing comparisons to the comedic styles of "Scott Pilgrim" and classic cartoons. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, engaging character interactions, and a blend of slapstick and clever humor that keeps the experience light-hearted and entertaining. While some jokes may come off as cheesy or cringy, the overall comedic timing and character-driven humor resonate well, contributing to a fun and memorable gameplay experience.

    • “Unlike Forspoken, a game with a serious tone and cringy dialogue, Hi-Fi Rush embraces the goofiness in the characters' personalities and atmosphere perfectly, making the dialogue funny and not cringy.”
    • “The comedic moments always kept me laughing. The performances and expressive animated work on the characters do a lot of the heavy lifting.”
    • “The humor is fantastic, the graphics are lovely, and the music is top-notch.”
    • “Arrogant, self-centered, obnoxious, unfunny, and yet everyone falls over themselves for him because he's the one who hits stuff.”
    • “The cringey humor is perfect for the story and the game can't help but make you feel like a badass.”
    • “In terms of story, the writing is definitely going to be a hit or a miss for people; that's for sure. I personally didn't have much of an issue with it, and I like that the game is aware of how it could be seen as unfunny and runs with it in certain conversations and story beats.”
  • replayability176 mentions

    Hi-Fi Rush is praised for its high replayability, offering a variety of post-game content, unlockable challenges, and multiple difficulty modes that encourage players to revisit levels for collectibles and improved scores. While the main story lasts around 10-12 hours, the engaging gameplay mechanics and vibrant design ensure that players can enjoy numerous additional hours of fun, making it a worthwhile experience for those who appreciate rhythm-based action games.

    • “The main story is about 10-12 hours, but there's plenty of replay value to it.”
    • “There's plenty of replay value with an additional difficulty mode unlocked, arena mode, arcade mode, and previously locked areas in levels being available to enter again.”
    • “The game can be beaten in about 10 or so hours if you're rather good, but it has a lot of replayability and it offers some nice post-completion tasks and modes to keep you entertained after it's over.”
    • “It's kind of sad that really the only replayability this game has is replaying the story on higher difficulties or the arcade mode.”
    • “The only issue I have is how replayability works in this game, as some content is locked behind challenges that felt more like a chore than rewarding, also a lot of features are unlocked after completing the game for the first time, and I wish those were present at the beginning instead.”
    • “It is annoying that you can only go backwards and replay tracks once you beat the game, but that adds into replayability.”
  • optimization133 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players reporting smooth performance, high frame rates, and minimal to no bugs. While a few users experienced minor stuttering or performance drops, the majority found the game to run exceptionally well even on lower-end hardware, making it a standout example of polished game design in 2023.

    • “First off, the optimization is really good; I personally have not had any issues performance-wise.”
    • “The game is optimized incredibly well and it runs lightning-fast on my gaming laptop at default settings, and this is definitely a game you want running fast.”
    • “Optimization is absolutely stellar!”
    • “Some people don't like this game because of the characters or the writing, but the worst part about Hi-Fi Rush is its blatant lack of optimization.”
    • “Please fix the RAM issues; my computer only has 4 GB RAM and this game requires 8. Most games I've played only needed 4 GB RAM, so if there is an optimization strategy, please let me hear it so I can play the game.”
    • “I experience severe performance drops when reaching new areas, during fights, platform sections, literally everywhere.”
  • emotional131 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Hi-Fi Rush" is characterized by a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, creating a nostalgic and uplifting experience for players. While the story is simple and occasionally predictable, it features genuine character development and impactful emotional beats that resonate strongly, particularly towards the end. Overall, players find the game to be a fun, wholesome journey that evokes feelings of joy and nostalgia, making them feel like kids again.

    • “Even the ending level is surprisingly emotional and hits you right in the feels.”
    • “I cried finishing this game!!!!!!!!”
    • “This game made me feel genuine childlike joy and wonder for the first time in a long time.”
  • monetization94 mentions

    The monetization model of this game has been widely praised for its absence of microtransactions, advertising, and other predatory practices commonly found in modern AAA titles. Players appreciate the complete and polished experience offered at a reasonable price, highlighting the game's focus on fun and genuine gameplay rather than cash grabs. This refreshing approach has resonated with gamers seeking a return to the enjoyment of classic gaming without the burden of excessive monetization.

    • “Throw in training mode, mission replay, multiple difficulties, bloody palace-esque challenges, and a wealth of cosmetic unlockables that don't require microtransactions and you have one of the best gaming surprises I can remember.”
    • “No microtransactions, no advertising, nothing prohibiting you from progressing arbitrarily.”
    • “In an era of $70 unfinished games stuffed with monetization and other such issues, this game is over half that price and reminds us of how good games can be when made by people who actually care.”
    • “In a day and age where AAA games are coming out unfinished and buggy on release and have terrible monetization, seeing a game like Hi-Fi Rush come out and just be good old plain fun is so nice and a breath of fresh air.”
    • “The gaming industry has had so many bad releases recently, a spike that's become associated with a proportional rise in video game prices, questionable monetization practices, and sometimes unfinished products.”
    • “It's fun, it's fresh and best of all: I wasn't bombarded with ads for it, so I got to experience it all when I started it up.”
  • character development82 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and growth of characters, particularly the main protagonist, while others criticize it as lacking substance or being abrupt. Many reviewers highlight the vibrant and unique character designs, which contribute to the overall charm and engagement of the game, though some feel that the development arcs are simplistic or poorly executed. Overall, while the character designs are widely appreciated, opinions on the effectiveness of character development vary significantly among players.

    • “The characters are amazing and have fantastic character development; the jokes are well-timed and the gameplay is really fun.”
    • “The story is amazing and I loved seeing genuine character development with all main characters slowly through the game so I could see them really develop into rock stars.”
    • “This game is very good, I love the character development and relationships which form so well in such a short time without feeling rushed.”
    • “Other characters did not seem stellar to me either, and I did not see any character development at all.”
    • “The fairly compressed plot also makes the necessary character development very choppy and bare-bones; Chai spends the entire first half of the game being a raging jerk to Peppermint for no reason and insisting he doesn’t want to help her take down the corporation, then just… suddenly stops, with no apology or explicit change of heart.”
    • “The characters do not get any development throughout the whole game, least of all Chai, and if you disagree then you have to re-evaluate what qualifies as character development in your mind.”
  • stability81 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is highly praised, with many users reporting a smooth, bug-free experience at launch. Players appreciate the lack of major glitches or performance issues, especially in contrast to other recent releases from larger studios. The game runs well on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, and is seen as a refreshing departure from the typical buggy releases in the industry.

    • “A rare breath of fresh air, neatly packaged up into a feature complete, bug-free release with zero problems, full stop.”
    • “No frills enjoyable game that is fully playable and bug-free since day one.”
    • “The cherry on top, besides the low price for entry, was the bug-free experience I had with the game, a rarity in today's industry.”
    • “But what really takes the cake (or should I say pixelated pie?) are the glorious glitches and bugs.”
    • “It is a shame because the music and cinematography really sets it up so that it's supposed to feel like an epic moment, but then falls short because it feels like a buggy mess.”
    • “Sometimes the sweet spot seems to be early, sometimes late, and by varying degrees leading to any of the various rhythm puzzles being just irritating roadblocks where you have to try again and again and again and not because you suck...because the game is buggy and broken.”
  • grinding62 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the game features a mix of enjoyable mechanics and tedious grinding elements. Many players found the tutorial and pacing to be overly lengthy and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience, while others noted that post-game content and achievements can require significant grinding, which may not appeal to all players. However, some appreciated the lack of forced grinding and microtransactions, suggesting that while grinding exists, it is not a central focus of the game.

    • “No grinding, no DLC, no microtransactions, no bullshit.”
    • “Pros: character art, background art, character design, voice acting, soundtrack, innovative gameplay, custom difficulty curve, well-written story, no grinding required (except for cosmetics).”
    • “Of course there's more content even after finishing the story that I'm definitely going back for, a higher difficulty and there's more completionist challenges that aren't tedious, are achievable and fun.”
    • “The gameplay itself did become tedious for me about halfway through but only for 1-2 hours before it picked up again; push through the middle and the ending is worth it.”
    • “I had fun, but it's not a game I would play to get all achievements or finish post-game stuff as it becomes grindy and repetitive since you need to finish the game again multiple times, clear simple tasks that take ages to finish, find missed collectibles without being able to travel to them.”
    • “I came in expecting something more action-oriented, but so many of the tedious design decisions just interrupt the flow of the game and they keep getting tacked on the longer the game runs.”
  • atmosphere34 mentions

    The atmosphere of Hi-Fi Rush is widely praised for its vibrant, colorful design and engaging soundscape, creating a lighthearted and immersive experience reminiscent of classic animated shows. Players appreciate the seamless integration of humor, music, and gameplay, which together foster a cheerful and energetic environment that keeps them hooked from start to finish. Despite some minor critiques of dialogue, the overall vibe is described as fun and captivating, making it a standout in the rhythm game genre.

    • “From the moment you step into this sonic realm, you're greeted by a diverse array of cutting-edge sound systems and an atmosphere that pulsates with energy.”
    • “The environments are beautifully rendered, with stunning vistas and atmospheric music that help to immerse players in the world.”
    • “Everything from the atmosphere to the action to the goofy dialogue just fits together seamlessly and will have you laughing at the chaotic humor, rocking alongside a great soundtrack (both licensed and original) and sinking your teeth into a surprisingly deep and engaging combat system.”
    • “The colors are bright and loud with the atmosphere being a mega corp manufacturing facility.”
    • “This game captures the atmosphere of the long gone PS2 era.”
    • “The story is pretty generic but the world and atmosphere and characters all come together to make it feel so unique.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

88% average critic score

Buy Hi-Fi Rush

Play time

9hMedian play time
26hAverage play time
3-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 26 analyzed playthroughs

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