By mixing several genres together, exciting things can be created. It can be hard to execute, but when done right, the gameplay is rewarding and fun. While many developers have done this, certain genres are used less often in crossovers. The rhythm genre is one of these. The main component of these games is that players have to hit the beat of the song in order for movements or attacks to land. This can be challenging for many players since the gameplay is more technical. However, if they’re fun and accessible, players will have an easier time adjusting.
The latest entry in this genre,Hi-Fi Rush,does a great job of this. It hasa great soundtrackthat makes gameplay even more immersive, and it is easy to play. Combat is more forgiving since players don’t need to stay on the beat as much as they do inother rhythm games. Players can execute somecool-looking combosand great special attacks they can once they have the gauge filled up. These attacks do much more but require more finesse, which can make or break the fight. While not all special attacks are useful, these are the best ones that are easy to execute and do high damage.
5Power Chord
This is the first special attack players get before they can equip new ones. This attack is great for pushing enemies away and kick-starting combos. Plus, if players time the beat correctly, they can complete this special attack with a finisher. Power Chord also highlights one the best aspect of the game’s combat: that if players are in the air, theycan create combosthat look like they’re out of games likeGod Of War.
RELATED:Platformers That Are Actually Harder Than Cuphead
During the many boss battles inHi-Fi Rush,Power Chord can be really helpful since players don’t need to have their aim dead on. If they hook on the enemy, and zip to them, they can use this attack to do a massive amount of damage.
4Overdrive
In order for players' attacks to be even more powerful, they need to land on the beat. The Overdrive attack is a good highlight of that. As long as players hit the beat, each strike will do a lot of damage. If the enemy isn’t close to going down, this attack will take a large chunk of health away from them. Then, players can launch enemies back, which stuns them and allows players to do a follow-up attack. While Overdrive is a harder attack to learn, it’s rewarding when players land it.
RELATED:Best Rhythm Games You Can Only Play On PC
If the player can get a battery that instantly recharges the special attack gauge, they can do two of these attacks in succession. This makes the later boss fights easier because the player can stun the bosses with these attacks, making way for the sidekicks to put in additional damage. While not the best special attack, it’s great for helping players gain control of the fight, as long as they hit the beats successfully.
3Air Guitar
This attack can be done in the air, and highlights the creativity of the combat that can be foundin many gamesthat use hack-and-slash mechanics.This attack is great for both starting a combo and downing enemies, and it also gets players quickly into the rhythm of the song being played. As long as players hit the beat while they’re doing the spinning attack, they can throw enemies back, making them stunned. This is great for when things get too chaotic, because it hits everyone around the attack and pushes them away as well.
Using this attack for bigger enemies can save players' lives. One of the best things about this attack is that it can be followed by any combo afterward very easily, so even if the attack doesn’t down the enemy, the follow-up attack will.
2Double Riff
Many rhythm games have things that make the player’s life easier, likethe equipable itemsinBullets Per Minute.InHi-Fi Rush, it’s the sidekicks that players meet as they progress the story. Each sidekick does something that helps players in combat and in platforming. This special attack uses Peppermint’s range attacks and combines them with the player’s melee attacks. The end result is some impressive damage output.
RELATED:Beginner Tips For BPM: Bullets Per Minute
While it can be used to initiate a fight, players will see that it’s best suited after a combo, because they can put consistent damage in. That matters much more for bosses and the bigger enemies. Some players may find it a hard attack to pull off, but it’s rather easy to do, and for its damage, they should use this more often. On top of that, many special attacks use two bars of the gauge, but Double Riff uses only one bar.
1Twin Assault
Just like Double Riff, this attack uses one of the sidekicks that helps players. But the reason why it’s high on this list is because of how easy it is to use. It’s a lot easier than Double Riff, and puts out more damage. SinceHi-Fi Rushis all about being creative,if players fight in one way, thingsmay get hardfor them later on. This attack makes players want to be more creative, and in turn, makes them more immersed in combat and the flow of the game.
The strikes from Korsica, plus the player’s attacks, double the number of times players can hit. This brings up the stun meter, and also weakens the enemy. So, after they’ve completed the attack, players can easily flow into combo that would down the enemy. This attack takes some time to get used to, because the beat is faster than most other special attacks. But once players master it, they’ll be unstoppable.
Hi-Fi Rushis available now on Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
