The game's story follows self-proclaimed "future rock star" Chai (voiced by Robbie Daymond in English and Hiro Shimono in Japanese),[2][3] whose music player is accidentally embedded in his chest during experimental cybernetic surgery, allowing him to rhythmically fight and re-perceive the world through environmental synesthesia.

In addition to the character action gameplay, the title features numerous rhythm-based minigames that leverage the game's audio cues for on-screen interactions and puzzles.

Progression takes place across multiple linear stages that mix platforming segments and arena-like encounters with enemies and minibosses, while being bookended by a themed boss fight with the corporation's various executives.

[4] Hi-Fi Rush was conceptualized with a smaller team at Tango Gameworks just as they were finishing The Evil Within 2 in 2017, out of an internal desire to branch the developer out of the survival horror genre they were previously synonymous with.

The studio was revived under the ownership of Krafton in August 2024, which also acquired the rights to the Hi-Fi Rush license from Microsoft with plans to develop further games while also exploring other projects.

Completing the game once unlocks bonus features, such as the ability to revisit past levels and previously inaccessible areas, a new difficulty setting, and Rhythm Tower, a survival mode similar to Bloody Palace from the Devil May Cry series.

[9] Chai, a 25-year old man with a disabled right arm and a dream to become a rockstar, arrives at the Vandelay Technologies campus to volunteer for Project Armstrong, a test program for cybernetic limb replacement.

Soon, Chai helps Peppermint gain access to a Vandelay executive computer, and learn about SPECTRA, an AI-program that uses the cybernetic implants of Project Armstrong as a back-door for mind control.

As they pursue their targets, they recruit more allies, including the disgruntled and nervous former head of R&D (and Peppermint's inside source) Macaron (Gabe Kunda / Yasuhiro Mamiya)[3] and his blunt psychology robot partner CNMN (pronounced "Cinnamon") (Sunil Malhotra / Hiroyuki Yoshino),[3] and eventually Vandelay's security head, Korsica (Sarah Elmaleh / Yū Kobayashi),[3] after Kale makes an attempt on her life for discovering SPECTRA's true nature.

In a March 2022 interview with Famitsu, founder of Tango Gameworks and executive producer Shinji Mikami mentioned that he wants the company to venture outside of the survival horror genre and nurture younger game creators.

[16][17] To avoid issues such as YouTube copyright strikes, the game includes an option to replace all licensed songs with similar original tracks performed by the band The Glass Pyramids.

[18][19] Jordan Middler, from Video Games Chronicle, said that Hi-Fi Rush is "oozing with style and confidence", although there are "repetitive level design and some clunky platforming", scoring with a 4 out of a 5 star rating.

[22] On the other hand, Tyler Colp from PC Gamer gave a more mixed review, finding the game to be promising in its concept but ultimately average in the action genre, and thought its setlist of music was limited and dated.

[51] Xbox Game Content and Studios head Matt Booty explained that shuttering the aforementioned teams reflected an initiative to prioritize what Microsoft considered "high-impact titles", which included more investment in established franchises in Bethesda's portfolio.

[52] When interviewed by Bloomberg Technology shortly thereafter, Xbox head Sarah Bond addressed the closure of Tango more specifically, implying that an evaluation of success criteria on a game-by-game basis led to the decision.

[53] Despite Tango's closure, Booty would internally specify the necessity for Xbox to house the development of budget games that had potential for securing "prestige and awards" much like Hi-Fi Rush.

[56] At the time of their closure's confirmation, Tango was reported by Bloomberg News and other outlets to have pitched Microsoft and Bethesda on a Hi-Fi Rush sequel, but were turned down as executives felt that closing the developer would simultaneously ease communication with less teams spread across the world, and free up resources for other ventures.

[57] On August 12, 2024, publisher Krafton announced they had reached an agreement to revive and acquire Tango Gameworks in its entirety from Microsoft and Bethesda, in an attempt to widen their global presence through investing in a Japanese studio.