Hi-Fi Rush is the surprise we all needed | Kaser focus

Connect with the top gaming leaders in Los Angeles at GamesBeat Summit 2023 from May 22-23. Register here.


This week’s Xbox Developer Direct show was about to get exactly as boring as I thought it would be – which, to be fair, they warned me about beforehand. But then, in the middle of the show, they had to ditch one of the most delightful games I’ve seen in a long time. Hi-Fi Rush looks like the kind of action game I’d love, but I realized how much I wanted it as soon as I got it on my greedy mitts. That’s the best kind of surprise – and now I want more like it.

Funnily enough, it seemed that the other game that made a big impression this week was an old one: Goldeneye 007, which brought its aging self to Game Pass and Switch. I’m teasing, but it’s nice to see an older but iconic game brought to modern consoles without the need for a remake of bells and whistles. Those are nice if we can get them – and I will devour Dead Space if I have the chance – but no one has the time or money to recreate it all.

In a slightly more wistful tone, Neil Druckmann said in an interview that Naughty Dog isn’t interested in making more Uncharted games and probably won’t make The Last of Us Part 3 either. The latter is fine with me, because I was pleased with how part 2 ended. However, I miss the action and whimsy of Uncharted. I wanted to see where it would go starring Chloe or Nate’s daughter Cassie. And The Last of Us is hardly dead, like HBO just signed the show for a second season.

Personally, I went from being inactive with one game a week to having all games thrown into my lap. I’ve already published my review-in-progress of Forspoken – and I want to finish and review the game, out of respect for the developers if nothing else. I’m not quite sure how I’m going to find the time to do that with Fire Emblem Engage, Dead Space and Hi-Fi Rush all vying for my attention. It’s nice to be spoiled for choice.

Event

GamesBeat Summit 2023

Join the GamesBeat community in Los Angeles May 22-23. You’ll hear from the brightest minds in the gaming industry to share their updates on the latest developments.

Register here

What to play this week

What’s new:

  • Leave
  • Empty space
  • Hi-fi hurry
  • Strangers

New on streaming services:

  • Goldeneye 007 (Xbox Game Pass)
  • Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Breakpoint (GeForce Now)
  • Watch Dogs: Legion (GeForce Now)
  • Cygnus Enterprises (GeForce now)
  • Rain World (GeForce Now)
  • The Eternal Cylinder (GeForce Now)
  • Goldeneye 007 (Nintendo Switch Online)
  • Squiggle Drop (Apple Arcade)

GamesBeat’s credo in covering the gaming industry is “where passion meets business”. What does this mean? We want to tell you how important the news is to you — not only as a decision maker in a game studio, but also as a fan of games. Whether you’re reading our articles, listening to our podcasts, or watching our videos, GamesBeat helps you learn about and have fun with the industry. Discover our Briefings.