DF’s analysis of the Series X/S and PC versions.
Let’s explain how the game works, before we get into the technical nuance.
Similarly, enemies moves correspond to musical moments, helping you anticipate their actions.
The system never feels overwhelming and quickly becomes natural.
Hi-Fi Rush looks special too.
Animation is critical too, with character movements updating at 15fps to give motion a staccato, hand-drawn quality.
In gameplay though, animation is at full rate to aid playability.
Generally though, texture detail is kept to an absolute minimum.
Environments in general showcase some of the game’s more inspired artistic choices.
Ambient occlusion is rendered as cross-hatched patterns.
Real-time shadows have a ‘gloopy’ rounded look and feature animated transitions between different shadow cascade levels.
The outline shader is active across environmental geometry as well, producing beautiful thick black silhouettes.
Backgrounds are often portrayed with bold 2D art instead of geometry.
I could spend all day discussing Hi-Fi Rush - it’s just that good.
The game oozes style, and has clearly been created with impeccable craft and attention to detail.
I can’t think of any other recent titles that nail a 2D animation look so thoroughly.
Hi-Fi Rush is an absolute blast - and everyone should give it a shot.
