score: 9/10
as someone who loves rhythm games, Hi-Fi RUSH absolutely blew me away.

the combat system is incredibly smooth and just pure fun. The variety of enemies and skills is right on point. I especially loved how we can use our crew members both during combat and for platforming/exploration—it adds so much depth and interactivity to the world.

speaking of the world, the level design and overall vibe are amazing. The story is also really solid, well-paced, and hooks you right from the start.

if I had to nitpick and find one reason to dock a point, it would probably be the soundtrack. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but I was personally expecting faster, heavier, and harder-hitting tracks to really pump me up. Still, it's definitely not a dealbreaker.

if you're on the fence about this game, just buy it. It's an absolute blast.

Recommended (8.5 / 10)
As a massive Final Fantasy VII fan, this was an absolute emotional rollercoaster.

Seeing these iconic characters brought to life with modern tech is honestly surreal. The visuals are gorgeous, and the character models look incredible. They managed to capture the exact vibe of the original cast while making them feel alive.

The combat system is a huge highlight—it's fast, punchy, and engaging. However, it’s not flawless. I felt like the skill variety was a bit lacking, and some of the boss fights dragged on way longer than they needed to. Also, a few more weapon choices would’ve been nice to spice things up.

Without spoiling anything, some of the story changes compared to the original were kinda frustrating for me. But hey, I get it—they are stretching this whole journey into a trilogy, so changes were bound to happen.

At the end of the day, despite its flaws, it’s a fantastic reimagining. A solid 8.5/10. If you love the franchise, it's a must-play.