In a year that has been filled with huge games, and we're not even halfway done yet, Hi-Fi Rush did a tremendous job of making a significant splash when it shadow-dropped on Xbox Game Pass in January. Some of you might have been worried the rhythm game was one and done when it didn't show up during last week's Xbox Showcase, but you can breathe a sigh of relief. An update is coming, and it's coming soon.
No, it hasn't manifested out of nothing like Hi-Fi Rush did originally, but you don't have long to wait until two new modes are added to the game. Shown off during the Xbox Extended Showcase, Hi-Fi Rush's Arcade challenge update will add BPM Rush, Tower Up Power Up, and a bunch of new cosmetic items on July 5.
BPM Rush will effectively be Hi-Fi Rush's Turbo Mode. Starting off at a regular pace, the BPM will increase as you progress, topping out at 200 BPM. If you're wiping out waves of enemies with ease at that point, then maybe you'll want to give Tower Up Power Up a try. Take on the Rhythm Tower, but there's a twist. Chai's stats have been wiped, tasking you with playing through this particular mode to restore them.
You'll be able to select upgrades and buffs between rounds, but you'll have to sacrifice your score multiplier in order to do so. On top of the two new modes being added via the Arcade Challenge update, Hi-Fi Rush will also be getting new attacks as well as challenges to complete that will unlock new stickers in photo mode where you'll also be able to try out new poses and filters.
Hi-Fi Rush launched earlier this year without so much as an announcement prior to it being available on Xbox and PC, included as a day-one title on Game Pass. Doing that generated a ton of traction for the game and got it on the radar at a time when most of 2023's big games hadn't hit the market yet.
Launching its first significant update may well turn out to be another well-timed drop for Hi-Fi Rush, even if its developers have given us plenty of warning this time. Staying away from June, a month in which a number of huge, potential game-of-the-year contenders have and continue to launch, is definitely a good idea. It was hinted that despite its popularity, Hi-Fi Rush didn't make the money Xbox hoped it might. We'll see if its July 5 update is enough to get people playing again and perhaps bring in some new fans.