Hi-Fi Rush Sequel Gets Encouraging Update

Summary

A sequel to Hi-Fi Rush is being considered "positively" at Tango Gameworks, but isn't fully set in stone yet.
Many Tango Gameworks developers have a "strong attachment" to Hi-Fi Rush, but the studio also wants to create new experiences.
Hi-Fi Rush 2 may feature open-world elements, as previously hinted by a senior Krafton exec.

Tango Gameworks has confirmed that a Hi-Fi Rush sequel is "positively" under consideration at the studio. 2024 was a bit of a rollercoaster for Tango Gameworks, but the Hi-Fi Rush developer is finally in a stable place under the ownership of South Korean publisher Krafton.

After shadow-dropping Hi-Fi Rush at Xbox's inaugural Developer Direct in January 2023, Tango Gameworks accrued widespread critical acclaim for its highly creative rhythm brawler. Many considered Hi-Fi Rush one of the best games to launch in 2023, but this year brought about shocking news. Tango Gameworks was one of four Zenimax studios to be shuttered by Xbox in May 2024, inciting outrage from gamers and leaving them dumbfounded, especially since Microsoft previously confirmed that Hi-Fi Rush was a "breakout hit" for the company.

Amid a gloomy outlook, Tango Gameworks' fortunes overturned drastically in August 2024 when Krafton acquired and reinstated the Hi-Fi Rush developer. This unexpected deal came as a massive relief to Hi-Fi Rush fans and reignited hopes for a sequel. It seems these hopes weren't misplaced, as a new IGN interview with Tango Gameworks head Colin Mack, Hi-Fi Rush director John Johanas, and Hi-Fi Rush project manager Kazuaki Egashira teases the future of the IP. Mack confirmed that Tango Gameworks is considering a Hi-Fi Rush sequel "positively," but has yet to make a specific decision about it.

Tango Gameworks Wants to "Try New Things" For Hi-Fi Rush Sequel

Johanas added that many of Tango Gameworks' developers have a "strong attachment" to Hi-Fi Rush, and that he wants to "cherish this IP." However, Johanas also emphasized the importance of trying "new things," and said that Tango Gameworks is currently considering "various opportunities." Egashira chimed in to express a similar sentiment, stating that creating new experiences is "in the DNA of Tango Gameworks." He added that Hi-Fi Rush garnered popularity as a new IP, but it would "eventually become outdated" if it were to "stay the same forever."

Not only me, but many of the development staff have a strong attachment to Hi-Fi Rush. Not only the game but also the characters and the world are beloved by us, so I want to cherish this IP.

While Egashira's statement may sound rather obvious, it does allude to the possibility of Tango Gameworks taking a very different approach to Hi-Fi Rush's sequel compared to its predecessor. A senior Krafton executive previously hinted at Hi-Fi Rush 2 potentially featuring open-world elements, which would be a significant departure from the first game's linear level design. It remains to be seen what else Tango Gameworks may include in a possible Hi-Fi Rush sequel, but if the above comments are any indication, it'll likely be brimming with creativity and innovation.

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 95%

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Released: January 25, 2023
ESRB: Rated T: Fantasy Violence, Language
Developer(s): Tango Gameworks
Publisher(s): Bethesda
Engine: Unreal Engine 4

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Feel the beat as wannabe rockstar Chai and his ragtag team of allies rebel against an evil robotics enhancement megacorp with raucous rhythm combat! From Tango Gameworks, the studio that brought you The Evil Within® and Ghostwire®: Tokyo (no, really) comes Hi-Fi RUSH, an all-new action game where the characters, world and combat stylishly sync to the music!

CHAI VERSUS THE WORLD: Labeled ‘defective’ after a shady corporate experiment mistakenly fuses a music player to his heart, Chai must now fight for his freedom in a slick animated world where everything – platforming puzzles, enemy attacks and even the colorful gags & banter - are synced to the beat.

OPEN UP THE MOSH PIT!: Take on armies of corporate drones (read: actual robots) in satisfying, rhythm-amplified combat. Time your moves to pull off flashy Beat Hits, hard-hitting special abilities and even combination attacks with your allies! Want to show off? Go further and tap into the beat to amp up your skills and earn those covetous S-rank scores.

ROWDY REBELS VS. BADASS BOSSES: Lead a squad of colorful teammates and take the fight to the heart of an, er, heartless corporation. Square off with each department’s boss, from Production to Marketing to Finance, each more ready to protect the company’s bottom line than the last in over-the-top battle sequences accompanied by their own music tracks!

GRAB YOUR HEADPHONES: Tap your toes to a killer mixtape of original music, as well as songs by Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, The Joy Formidable and more! Want to show off your skills to a live streaming audience? Fret not: Hi-Fi RUSH includes a streamer-friendly alternate audio mode which replaces those licensed songs with original tracks made especially for streaming Hi-Fi RUSH.

Platform(s): Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, PS5
Genre(s): Action
How Long To Beat: 8-10 Hours
X|S Optimized: No
File Size Xbox Series: 16 GB (November 2023)
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty