Hi-Fi Rush 2 Aims for ‘A More Open World Type of Experience,’ New Krafton Owner Confirms

Hi-Fi Rush 2 seems inevitable after Krafton, the company behind PUBG, acquired Tango Gameworks.

Earlier this year, Microsoft surprised the gaming industry by closing Japanese studio Tango Gameworks amid significant layoffs that affected 1,900 employees across its gaming division.

Just three months later, Krafton revealed plans to purchase Tango Gameworks. Only the Hi-Fi Rush intellectual property was included in the transfer from Microsoft-owned Zenimax Media to Krafton, leaving behind other franchises like The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo.

In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Krafton's head of corporate development, Maria Park, discussed the future of the Hi-Fi Rush series after the acquisition. Park mentioned that Tango Gameworks aims to bring the first game to other platforms, including Nintendo Switch, and has plans for Hi-Fi Rush DLC. However, instead of rushing out a sequel, the studio wants "to take the necessary time to refine the game and come up with a different experience," Park added.

As for Hi-Fi Rush 2, Park confirmed that Tango Gameworks was already working on the sequel when Krafton approached them, with a six-month-old build prepared. The sequel is intended to offer a "more open world type of game," moving away from the linear design of the original.

“Yes, the team was working on Hi-Fi Rush 2 when we first met them,” Park said. “They want to make sure [it] surpasses the expectations of the existing fans. For instance, some of the feedback about Hi-Fi Rush was that some people felt it was [just] going through factories, so now they want to give a more open world type of experience. I don't think it's going to be completely open world, but a more dynamic environment [that] you play in. Also, having more advanced technology applied to the rhythm action so that it feels more synchronized.”

Park continued: “I think the build that we looked at was about six months old when we went to meet with them. At the moment, because the IP acquisition is in progress, it's been on hold because all the related assets and tools will be transferred to Krafton from Microsoft. But yes, we'll continue working on it for sure. Like I said, we won't really rush to the market just to deliver a sequel. We want to make sure that the sequel is actually at a quality level that surpasses the community's expectations.”

Meanwhile, Park mentioned that Tango Gameworks had been working on anniversary content for The Evil Within, but it's unlikely to be released now. She also confirmed that by the end of the acquisition, 70 to 80 of Tango's 90 employees will have joined Krafton, with plans to fill immediate vacancies and grow the studio to around 90 to 100 staff by the end of the year.

Additionally, Park hinted that Tango Gameworks is developing a new co-op online game, and Krafton plans to use its live-service expertise to "help bring it to the next level."