Breakdown
- A report by Bloomberg states that Tango Gameworks was already pitching a Hi-Fi Rush sequel to Xbox
- The studio was looking to hire more staff to help with the project in case it got greenlit
- John Johanas, director of Hi-Fi Rush, remained at the studio and could've helmed the sequel just as Shinji Mikami envisioned
Rubbing salt on the fresh wound that left the closing down of Tango Gameworks, a new report states that the studio was already planning a Hi-Fi Rush sequel before it was suddenly shutdown.
Via Bloomberg, Jason Schrier reported that not only more cuts are almost a certainty within Xbox, but that Tango was preparing to work on a Hi-Fi Rush sequel and they were looking to hire more staff to help with what would've certainly been a more ambitious project.
The colourful and unique rhythm-based action game was a knockout hit for the company, or at least that's what Xbox higher-ups want fans to believe. It started its development alongside Ghostwire: Tokyo in 2018 and was helmed by John Johanas, who previously directed The Evil Within 2 for the studio.
Despite Tango founder Shinji Mikami leaving the studio, it made sense that the developers would go full-steam ahead with a sequel. Mikami had been serving as an executive producer on all recent Tango Gameworks titles as he admitted wanting to give younger developers a chance to let their creativity flow, with the first Evil Within, released in 2014, being the last he directed.
Johanas, who took over duties as director for The Evil Within 2 and managed to make in Hi-Fi Rush what he considers his "dream game" was still at the studio, meaning Tango was still in a healthy position with young developers ready to take on the mantle of Mikami allowing the studio to thrive in the exact way the creator of the Resident Evil franchise wanted to - by moving away from survival-horror games.
Sadly, that won't be the case anymore, and while Hi-Fi Rush can be revived by another studio within Xbox, the dream that Mikami had of seeing Tango Gameworks, a studio he created and nurtured from the ground up flourishing beyond a single genre won't come to pass anymore. An absolute tragedy.
It stings even more knowing that their first outing outside survival horror was such a memorable and charming experience it cultivated a dedicated fanbase that will certainly continue to enjoy Chai's adventure for years to come. I know I will.