Time for first impressions number 1 for the year!
This one came as a big surprise during Xbox's latest showcase, as Hi-Fi Rush released on the same day it was revealed.
This one truly stole the show, so I can't wait to try it!
About Hi-Fi Rush
In case you missed it, Hi-Fi Rush is a rhythm-based adventure that surprisingly dropped onto Xbox Game Pass last week!
What made this even more shocking was the fact that developers Tango Gameworks are well-known for producing horror games.
Hi-Fi Rush follows Chai, a wannabe Rockstar that signs up for a cybernetics program named Project Armstrong.
Chai definitely has the rockstar attitude, which makes him a charismatic protagonist. This is great because you will be seeing a lot of him during cutscenes.
As you might have guessed, things don't exactly go to plan and all of a sudden, Chai finds himself in a bit of a jam.
From the opening cutscene, you can see the incredible comic book visuals and smooth animations that make the world incredibly detailed.
Getting into the Groove
Here is when the beat starts to kick in, and you'll get a grasp on how the mechanics will work with the music.
Hi-Fi Rush is all about feeling the rhythm, with hits an movements working much better when synced to the beat.
The main things that the beat influences are combat and navigation. Thanks to Chai's bionic defect, timing is the key to dealing the most damage to enemies.
After the end of a battle, you will receive a score that will show you how well you stuck to the status quo. All types of timing are important to the overall score, so make sure each battle is fast and precise.
Hitting the Right Notes
There are a number of ways to improve your score during each section, including combos and special attacks. However, what matters most is that these attacks are executed at the right time!
If you do find yourself struggling, then there's no need to worry, as there a number of indicators that can keep you in-tune!
This includes hints from the environment, signals from the HUD, and some extra optional assistance.
A small detail that really impressed me during gameplay was the rhythm assist feature. In the flick of a button, you can switch the assist on and off, meaning it is easy to bring it up in moments of struggle.
For even more advice on combos and special moves, Smidge and 808 are here to help!
These helpful robots will show you their moves on a regular basis, and will let you take the floor and practice afterwards.
Moving to the Beat
Another important aspect of the Hi-Fi Rush is navigating through the Project Armstrong facility by platforming.
Like combat, there are a number of things to consider when running with Chai, with a lot of them being influenced by the game's music.
As you might expect from a game like this, there are a lot of items to pick up along the way!
Items such as gear will play an important role in Chai's progression, as they can be used to enhance skills and customisation.
Settings & Accessibility
In terms of settings, this game features a wide range of accessibility options.
This includes settings for gameplay and cutscenes, which helps all gamers enjoy a rhythm-based game that some people may not have been able to play otherwise.
A great example, and something that I haven't seen before in a game, is that Hi-Fi Rush comes with a latency warning.
This tells gamers that latency issues may affect gameplay, and even offers suggestions on how to lower input lag, which is a nice touch!
First Impressions
After playing the first section of Hi-Fi Rush, I'm confident that this game is going to be a smash hit!
As I become more familiar with the mechanics and environment, it makes me feel more pumped about what's going to happen when the next track begins.
As a game that nobody expected, Chai and his musically talented powers couldn't really lose! But in the long run, it could cause Hi-Fi Rush to be pushed out of the spotlight.
Hopefully, the quality of the first stage will continue, resulting in this game receiving a potential standing ovation and encore later in the year!
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