Hi-Fi Rush
Rating: 5/5
Developer: Tango Gameworks
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platform: PC, Xbox
Price: Rs 1,799

Music games have all but died, and it is sad. Playing games while following a rhythm can be a lot of fun, and more often than not, these games have a fantastic soundtrack to go along with the gameplay. However, these games can get repetitive and rely heavily on their music to sell the games. Every once in a while, though, you get a gem that strikes a fine balance of great engaging gameplay to the rhythm of great music. Hi-Fi Rush is such a game.

It is a carefully crafted anime extravaganza that will endear itself not only with its plethora of great characters, but also with clever gameplay and its ability to engage. In Hi-Fi Rush, you play Chai, a volunteer who undergoes experimental surgery to replace his hand. It isn’t clear if Chai is disabled or just broke his arm somewhere. During the surgery, Chai’s music player lands on his chest, and the surgery integrates the player with his heart. This, in turn, gives Chai some superhuman abilities when he moves according to the rhythm. Chai is, of course, seen as a defect and is marked for termination, as per his contract. However, he manages to use his musical combat ability to overcome that fate. The rest of the game falls into place as you play along.