Story Highlights
  • Hi-Fi Rush becomes Xbox’s best-rated first-party title of 2023, outperforming Starfield and Forza Motorsport.
  • The game’s Metacritic score of 87 reflects critical acclaim, surpassing Starfield’s 83 and Forza Motorsport’s 84.
  • Striking a balance between AAA titles and indie games, Hi-Fi Rush’s nostalgic charm and unique blend of humor, style, and gameplay stand out.

2023 has been a decent year for Xbox. With a major acquisition, various first-party games, and 50 day-one titles for Game Pass, Microsoft has been in a much better place this year compared to 2022.

Surprisingly, a shadow drop became the company’s shining gem this year. Despite all the hype generated by Starfield, Hi-Fi Rush stole the spotlight as the top-rated first-party title from Xbox in 2023.

Why it matters: Hi-Fi Rush certainly deserves the praise it’s getting. With games like Starfield launching in the same year, it wasn’t easy for Tango Gameworks’ new IP to shine amid the hype for Bethesda’s biggest RPG.

Hi-Fi Rush Xbox Best-Rated Title 2023
Source: Metacritic

In the year of hyped Xbox first-party releases such as Starfield and Forza Motorsport, Hi-Fi Rush surprisingly outperforms them all in terms of reviews. On Metacritic, the game finishes 2023 with a generally favorable rating of 87.

On the other hand, Starfield and Forza Motorsport end 2023 with a rating of 83 and 84, respectively. This demonstrates that generating a lot of hype around a game does not guarantee its quality.

Hi-Fi Rush is a hidden gem that everyone should play at least once. Developed by Tango Gameworks, this rhythm action game has a lively look and a soundtrack with artists like Nine Inch Nails, Number Girl, and The Black Keys.

Despite not getting much attention at first, Hi-Fi Rush has turned out to be a game you can enjoy over and over. The game wants players to enjoy its rhythmic story without getting bogged down by annoying hurdles.

Hi-Fi Rush

With regular checkpoints and the ability to tweak settings on the fly, like changing difficulty during a boss battle, it’s a game made for playing and having fun. Striking the right balance between challenge and ease, it asks players to groove with the music, predict enemy moves, and navigate obstacles—a fun challenge.

Positioning Hi-Fi Rush as a middle-tier game slots it between big-budget AAA games and smaller indie titles. The nostalgic vibe, taking us back to the days of the PS2 or Xbox 360, triggers some sweet memories.

Even though it might not generate as much talk as the big names, the game stands out with its special mix of humor, style, and gameplay.

Tango Gameworks designed Hi-Fi Rush with a bunch of options to make it easy for players of any skill level. Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting out, the game invites you in, promising a good time for everyone.

Xbox struck gold with Hi-Fi Rush – no wonder they are satisfied with the game’s success. Reaching more than 3 million players this year, the title has encouraged Bethesda to take more risks with mid-sized projects in the future.

Was our article helpful? 👨‍💻

Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋

How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔

Salman Fareed
[How-To Guides Expert] Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city's aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity! Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com Google IT Certificate Shehryar Khan