An unexpected but welcome surprise to come from the Xbox & Bethesda Developer Direct was the announcement and subsequent release ofHi-Fi Rushfrom developer Tango Gameworks. This flashy rhythm action game caught the attention of many viewers with its cel-shaded art style and fist-pumping rock soundtrack, and its release shortly after the presentation was the icing on the cake for players wanting to jump right into the action. However, this title is an odd change of pace from the other games in the library ofTango Gameworks, which mostly consists of horror and darker-tone games.
Studio Head Shinji Mikami and Game Director John Johanas took to the screen to presentHi-Fi Rushto audiences and discuss aspects of the game’s development during the Developer Direct. In a moment of self-awareness, they even highlight the fact that the studio is known for spooky horror titles and thatHi-Fi Rushis a drastic departure from what they’ve made in the past. Despite the change in style, it’s clear there is a lot of passion behind this game and the studio’s previous titles may have influenced its design in unexpected ways.
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Looking Back at Tango’s Previous Titles
Tango Gameworks made its developmental debut in 2014 with the release ofThe Evil Withinfor PS3, PS4, PC, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. The game is a single-player survival-horror experience played across 15 chapters that follows protagonist Sebastian Castellanos as he is thrust into a surreal nightmare after investigating the scene of a mass murder at Beacon Mental Hospital. Mikami’s history as director of the originalResident Evilcomes through in this game as many gameplay elements such as third-person combat, limited resources, and creative puzzles drew comparisons to Capcom’s horror classic.
The studio followed up on the success of this title with a sequel in 2017 for PS4, PC, and Xbox One directed this time by John Johanas.The Evil Within 2improved upon the gameplay of the first by opening the world up beyond the linear design of the previous entry and introducing “The Communicator” to help players identify objectives, resources, and enemies as they navigate the game’s world. The story picks up three years after the events of its predecessor and sees Sebastian descend into the bizarre world of Union in search of his daughter Lily who he believed to be dead, while continuing to expand upon the theme of grappling with Sebastian’s inner demons.
While not a true horror game, 2022’sGhostwire: Tokyocontinued the studio’s theme of darker, paranormal tones for its games when it released for PS5 and PC. As a first-person action-adventure game,Ghostwire: Tokyofollows the story of Akito after he becomes possessed by a spirit that grants him the power to fight the dark forces infesting Tokyo. Gameplay involves combat using magic cast through a variety of hand gestures as Akito fights enemies, plus collecting spirit points to upgrade his abilities. AlthoughGhostwire: Tokyoreceived a lukewarm receptioncompared toThe Evil Within, it’s still a solid entry in Tango’s catalog of games.
Less than a year later, Tango has released its next title,Hi-Fi Rush, breaking from the gloomy horror aesthetic the studio’s known for. While it may seem likeHi-Fi Rushstands apart from the studio’s past titles, their influence can still be seen among the vibrant designs of this latest game. The world design of Tango’s games is especially noticeable inHi-Fi Rush, with large set pieces and open-ended yet linear levels that combine elements ofThe Evil Within 2andGhostwire: Tokyo’s level designphilosophy. In addition, the light RPG elements that allow players to upgrade Chai’s abilities will feel familiar to fans of Tango’s past games.
Hi-Fi Rushis available now for PC and Xbox Series X|S.
