Hi-Fi Rush takes over floor in cartoonish style

Unfortunately, this did not happen. Stiles’ famous and very loved Jeep was there but he wasn’t. Allison being saved was boring even with the special effects, and there was cursing galore. It just felt like an elongated episode, and hopefully if there is another season or movie, a better job will be done – with Stiles of course.

Xbox took the internet by storm with “HiFi Rush,” a colorful, rhythmic action game that takes pride in being absolutely delightful.

Developer Tango Gameworks and publisher Bethesda simultaneously announced and released “Hi-Fi Rush” on Jan. 26, which is unprecedented for not only a modern video game release, but a modern media release in general. It’s a risky move, especially for a completely new property, to come out with no prior marketing or announcement.

However, “Hi-Fi Rush” has defied the odds and has been released to critical and financial acclaim. This is because, to put it bluntly, it’s bursting at the seams with charm and style.

The art style is stunning and makes the game stand out in the sea of muted colors in other modern game releases. There’s a varied array of saturated colors that decorate the levels. The cel-shading and use of 2D animation ingame make the game world pop in a beautiful way.

Speaking of the animation, oh my goodness the animation in this game is unbelievably good. I can’t help but feel like this game’s animation is at least somewhat inspired by “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” mainly due to the way it frames its action sequences and the way characters move and pose. It’s a sight to behold, and a massive leap forward for video game animation.

The main character Chai, voiced by Robbie Daymond, bumps up and down to the beat of the music alongside the game world itself. Yes, the backgrounds of the levels are animated to dance with the music. Not in a weird “everything is alive” way, but in a “very loud music is playing and the ground is shaking” kind of way. And it’s so much fun.

But what about the gameplay itself? Is it any good – of course it’s good. It’s honestly better than good, to be honest. Everything in the game centers around music. Everything, everywhere, all at once. It’s all about the music, and it’s lovely.

The player’s goal is to beat up evil corporate robots to the beat of the music with their robot arm and guitar.

Chai can attack to the beat to deal higher damage, dodge to the beat to immediately get another dodge without recharging, and even block enemy attacks to the beat to launch their projectiles back at them. This is just scratching the surface of what’s capable. There’s so much depth to be found here, so long as you can dance to the game’s music.

As for the music, it’s great. It’s got that alternative/punkish feel which adds so much youthful energy to the atmosphere of the game. It elevates the infectious charm and personality of the gameplay and characters exceptionally well and makes for a memorable auditory experience.

This is the perfect game to kick the New Year off with. In recent years, it’s become increasingly apparent that the world has seen better days. It’s tough out there, and having a game that is so unapologetically fun and energetic is such a fantastic thing.

I honestly can’t recommend “Hi-Fi Rush” enough. It really is just that good.

Across

1. “There is no reason to be scared or ___,” Martinez said.

7. An organization or society meant to foster longlasting connections amongst college men.

9. In Hi-Fi, you fight to the beat of the ____.

10. Last name of the 29-year-old Black man that has recently died due to police brutality.

11. The theater_____manages a production.

13. A ____ is a machine resembling a human being and able to replicate certain human movements and functions automatically.

14. An_____is the assembled spectators or listeners at an event.

16. The state where Nichols passes away.

19. He was ___ red-handed!

20. A sweatshirt with an additional piece of cloth that wraps around the user’s head.

21. A law enforcement authority sworn to serve and protect.

25. People across the ___ caught wind of a then unfamiliar surveillance balloon floating high above the continental United States.

28. A _____ is an expert or specialist in psychology.

30. The last name of the owner of the clothing brand “Share the Melody”.

31. A group that divides humans in terms of shared characteristics.

32. The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk or tragedy.

33. A___ is an annual celebration or anniversary.

34. The last name of the owner of the clothing brand Youthful Bloom.

35. People have begun debating whether or not the ___ surrounding the balloon’s capabilities.

38. A_____ is a group of actors who make up a film or stage play.

Down

2. A noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public

3. “I think that the ___ is justified to an extent,” Flores said.

4. The initial balloon was shot down on Feb. 4, which has caused ____ to stir between the two countries.

5. Roiland, He’s the co-creator of “Rick and Morty.”

6. A style of dressing up in regard to clothes.

8. A grant or payment made to support a student’s education.

12. A race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society.

15. The main character of Hi-Fi is named ____.

17. The country went into _______ following the introduction of COVID.

18. Daymond, He voices the main character of Hi-Fi.

22. “I doubt that it was a balloon meant to cause ____ or chemical damage to US citizens,” Flores said.

23. Acronym for “Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

24. ____ is an intense feeling of deep affection.

26. A ____ is a building or outdoor area in which plays and other dramatic performances are given.

27. The name of the man whose death led to many protests in the height of 2020.

29. A scenario in which cars are stationary while on the road.

36. Tango Gameworks released a game by the name of Hi-Fi ___.

37. There’s nothing “____” about this, Justin.