With Hi-Fi Rush, developer “Tango Games” has simply thrown out a surprise hit for Xbox and PC. As a PS5 player, MeinMMO author Max Handwerk can only watch with some wistfulness – possibly not for the last time this year.
“Horizon, God of War, Spider-Man. Horizon, God of War, Spider-Man. Horizon, God of War, Spider-Man.” For almost two days I’ve been repeating this mantra in my head to remind myself what great games the PS5 has already flickered across my screen.
However, this mantra is interrupted again and again. Namely from the loudly pulsing beat of the trailer of “Hi-Fi RUSH”. A game that no one saw coming, but which there is currently no getting around.
The comic-style rhythm banger was introduced at the Xbox Bethesda Show, and then released directly via Steam and Game Pass. You can quickly see what makes the game special in the trailer:
Watch the trailer of Hi-Fi Rush – A crazy game that relies heavily on music and rhythm
Held Chai bangs his way through a colorful world in which everything is synchronized to the same rhythm. Attacks become stronger and stronger depending on the tact and a good portion of looseness and humor is also provided.
The game obviously strikes a chord with people who like colourful, banging fun. Checking out the “Games” subreddit discusses the game’s strong reviews. Numerous players tell how fun the surprise hit is. On Steam, the game collects positive reviews, it stands at 98% favorable reviews.
And I’m sitting here watching gameplay videos and looking at my PlayStation a little wistfully.
I haven’t missed an Xbox or a particularly powerful PC so far. But now the “Hi-Fi Rush” passes me by, although the game in all its action comic guitar hero-ness would definitely be something for me.
And looking back over the rest of the Xbox year, that feeling could come up more often.
Exclusive titles in 2023 – will Xbox come out on top?
So far I really haven’t needed an Xbox for exclusive titles, for me the PlayStation was usually equipped with the more suitable titles. For example, I would always choose God of War over Halo.
What I’ve always looked at with envy, however, is the “Game Pass” argument. The Xbox offer is already really strong anyway, the catalog is full of exciting games.
And the fact that strong titles regularly appear there from day 1, like Hi-Fi Rush now, is simply ideal if you like trying out new games. Who knows if Hi-Fi Rush wouldn’t just disappear into “nowhere” with its unusual approach after its surprising release if players couldn’t try it directly.
And then the Xbox just has a few good arguments up its sleeve this year. One of them is the upcoming game from Arkane Studios, Redfall.
Redfall – Detailed gameplay trailer
The upcoming co-op shooter will be released on May 2, 2023, also only for Xbox and PC, and also in Game Pass from day one. Even if it’s not quite clear how strong the new game from Arkane Studios will be: it sure looks exciting.
Ironically, the last game from the creators of Redfall, Deathloop, was also a timed exclusive, but for the PlayStation. I was blown away by the shooter’s gameplay at the time, and combined with the co-op aspect that I love in games like Borderlands, Redfall would definitely appeal to me.
Well, and then there’s Starfield.
7 Starfield Gameplay Highlights You Should Know
Again, it remains to be seen how strong the title will ultimately be when it releases later in 2023. But after all my hours in Morrorwind, Skyrim or the Fallout titles, the space adventure from Bethesda would definitely have been on my list if it came to PlayStation.
But it doesn’t. It’s also included in Game Pass.
Does the Xbox have the edge? That remains to be seen. After all, the PlayStation will also get its titles this year. For example, the new Spider-Man or the next part of the Final Fantasy 7 remake are coming up – albeit only in autumn and winter. There are also other games that both consoles will get.
But the PlayStation is also missing some exciting titles this year. From my point of view, the Xbox is definitely on a really good path. It will be exciting to see how this develops further – and whether the Xbox can collect even more interesting arguments that you would miss as a PS5 player.
What do you think of the releases coming up this year? Tell us in the comments.
The large release list of MMOs and multiplayer games 2023 can be found here.