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# Players Are Review-Bombing Hi-Fi Rush, But In A Nice Way
- URL: https://aftermath.site/hi-fi-rush-review-bomb/
- Published: 2024-05-10T15:36:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-27T17:15:39.000Z
- Author: Riley MacLeod
- Tags: Video Games, bethesda, hi-fi rush, microsoft, tango gameworks, xbox, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-10-27 13:00

Steam reviews are usually a hellscape that players weaponize to grind their axes, but in the days following Microsoft’s [closing of beloved Bethesda studios](https://aftermath.site/bethesda-closure-microsoft-arkane/), some players are using them for good: They're currently (mostly) positively [review-bombing the page for *Hi-Fi Rush*](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1817230/reviews/?browsefilter=mostrecent&snr=1%5F5%5F100010%5F&p=1&ref=aftermath.site), from now-shuttered developer Tango Gameworks.

Some people have tens of hours in the game, while others seem to have purchased or just started playing it following the news; as one reviewer[ writes](https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561199055161755/recommended/1817230/?ref=aftermath.site), “Haven’t played much but disappointed with Microsoft.” Another [review](https://steamcommunity.com/id/vryday/recommended/1817230/?ref=aftermath.site) quotes VP of Xbox Game Marketing Aaron Greenberg’s now infamous [quote](https://twitter.com/aarongreenberg/status/1649431572137779203?ref=aftermath.site) about *Hi-Fi Rus*h being “a breakout hit for us and our players in all key measurements and expectations.” Many of the reviews contain the relatable [sentiment](https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198200690506/recommended/1817230/?ref=aftermath.site) of “fuck Microsoft,” or its equivalent in symbols and family-friendly hearts. “Unlike Microsoft, we appreciate this studio,” [writes a player ](https://steamcommunity.com/id/StabbyScug/recommended/1817230/?ref=aftermath.site)with 16 hours on record. “Can’t wait for Microsoft to expand on this world… oh wait :(,” writes [another](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1817230/reviews/?browsefilter=mostrecent&snr=1%5F5%5F100010%5F&p=1&ref=aftermath.site), perhaps a reference to [reports](https://www.eurogamer.net/hi-fi-rush-2-potential-new-dishonored-were-reportedly-being-pitched-by-now-closed-xbox-studios?ref=aftermath.site) that Tango Gameworks was pitching a sequel when the studio was shut down. Another review echoes this, [writing](https://steamcommunity.com/id/woodemeister/recommended/1817230/?ref=aftermath.site), “It's beyond baffling how Microsoft shut down Tango Gameworks, despite making an incredible game and they (Microsoft) themselves claimed to want to invest more in the studio just a year before. Not only that, they are tone-deaf enough to immediately say, after announcing the shutdown, that they ‘[want more games like *Hi-Fi Rush*](https://aftermath.site/bethesda-closures-why-microsoft-xbox/).’”

Most of the reviews are positive, though a few participants seem to have misread the assignment and given the game a negative review. At least one player seems to have bought the game to write “Bring the team back” and then [refunded](https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561199074973018/recommended/1817230/?ref=aftermath.site) it.

> [](https://twitter.com/MatPiscatella/status/1788784911895421289?ref=aftermath.site)

The Steam page for 2017's [*Prey*](https://steamcommunity.com/app/480490/reviews/?browsefilter=mostrecent&snr=1%5F5%5F100010%5F&p=1&ref=aftermath.site) has seen an uptick in reviews as well. Though a much smaller spike, the sentiment is the same, with players writing things [like](https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198365835284/recommended/480490/?ref=aftermath.site) “RIP Arkane Austin” and “[\[Arkane\] deserved so much better](https://steamcommunity.com/id/kukummmm/recommended/480490/?ref=aftermath.site).” “An absolute masterpiece from a studio taken from us,” writes [another](https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198141778302/recommended/480490/?ref=aftermath.site).

![](https://lede-admin.aftermath.site/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-10-at-10.59.41%E2%80%AFAM.png?w=710)

The Prey Steam review graph

Given *Helldivers 2*’s recent [review-bombing](https://aftermath.site/helldivers-2-psn-login-steam-review-bomb-arrowhead-pc/) debacle, which ended with Sony walking back requiring players to have a PlayStation account to play the game on Steam, I can see the hope that the flood of reviews will, as one player [writes](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1817230/reviews/?browsefilter=mostrecent&snr=1%5F5%5F100010%5F&p=1&ref=aftermath.site), “save Tango.” And we also know that Bethesda, or at least folks from [*Starfield*](https://aftermath.site/bethesda-democratic-party-if-you-dont-like-us-youre-wrong/), look at and respond to Steam reviews. In this instance, it seems unlikely that the review-bombing campaign will do anything to change Microsoft’s mind, but I doubt players intend it to. The review bombing seems more like a combo celebration/ cathartic group scream; it might not do much to stem the tide of horrors that is the games industry in 2024, but it’s nice to see.