Summary
Game publisher Krafton is hinting that theHi-Fi Rushsequel currently in development at Tango Gameworks may offer a more open-world design than its more linear predecessor.Hi-Fi Rushimpressed gamers and critics alike when it was shadow dropped by Xbox in January 2023. A far cry from Tango’s horror roots ofThe Evil Withinand, more recently,Ghostwire: Tokyo,Hi-Fi Rushserved up a light, colorful rhythm action experience that quickly became celebrated as one of Xbox’s best games of last year.
DespiteHi-Fi Rush’s massive success,Tango Gameworks was unexpectedly shut down by Xboxalongside Arkane Austin, Roundhouse Studios, and Alpha Dog Games back in May 2024. Tango’s involvement in the devastating studio closures was the biggest head-scratcher, as it was one of Xbox’s most promising studios following the success ofHi-Fi Rusha year prior. Thankfully, Korean publisher Krafton, known for helping release games likePUBGand Glen Schofield’sDead SpacesuccessorThe Callisto Protocol, swooped in three months later and acquired Tango Gameworks, hiring back most of its former staff. While it gained ownership of theHi-Fi RushIP as part of the deal, theEvil WithinandGhostwireIPs remain with Xbox.
In aninterview with GamesIndustry.biz, Maria Park, Krafton’s Head of Corporate Development, expressed that Tango Gameworks already had a six-month-old build ofHi-Fi Rush 2playable when Krafton first approached the studio. Most importantly, Park revealed in the interview thatTango Gameworks is looking to offer players a sequelwith a more open-world design that’s less linear than that of the original game. “I don’t think it’s going to be completely open world, but a more dynamic environment [that] you play in,” Park clarified.
Hi-Fi Rush 2 Might Feature Larger Open Areas
While Park said the game likely won’t turn into a full-blown open-world experience, having larger areas to explore inHi-Fi Rush 2may provide an interesting twist for players who may have been turned off by the original game’s linear design. One ofHi-Fi Rush’s most impressive featsis having moving elements of the environment perfectly synced up with the game’s music. This might be more difficult to achieve in larger areas, and it’ll be interesting to see whether the more open sequel integrates elements like side quests.
I don’t think it’s going to be completely open world, but a more dynamic environment [that] you play in.
While work onHi-Fi Rush 2is currently paused as Tango’s transition to Krafton is ongoing, the studio still has plans tobringHi-Fi Rushto Nintendo Switch, and also has more DLC in the works. As for when fans may be able to expectHi-Fi Rush 2, it’s likely still several years away based on the new information revealed by Park. Aside fromHi-Fi Rush, Tango is also working on a new online co-op live service game with Krafton’s help, though little else is known about the project.
Hi-Fi Rush
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
