Microsoft’s surprise launch is a huge hit.
According to SteamDB, Hi-Fi Rush was the eighth best-selling product on Steam last week, while Square Enix’s Forspoken didn’t break the top then. This is already a huge success for Tango Gameworks and Microsoft as the game managed to reach such commercial performance with almost zero marketing prior to launch.
Hi-Fi Rush received excellent reviews soon after its surprising launch, while Forspoken received mixed reviews accompanied by a lot of criticism on social media.
As revealed by SteamDB, the Steam Deck remains the best-selling item on Steam, followed by the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy. The Dead Space Remake occupies the third position, our review praised the remake for “revitalizing and expanding upon a classic.” Other versions of Dead Space along with Red Dead Redemption 2 occupied the proceeding spots until we reach Hi-Fi Rush in eighth place. There is no trace of Forspoken in the top seller’s list.
Despite the fact that Hi-Fi Rush is much-lauded, the large price gap between it and Forspoken should be noted. The former is available for $29.99, while the latter costs $69.99.
The review gap between the two titles may also act as a mark against Forspoken for potential buyers. While 98% of Hi-Fi Rush reviews are positive, only 57% of Forspoken reviews suggest it is a worthy experience. The latter’s “Mixed” review badge could already become a serious barrier for users to think twice before making a purchase. Also, Forspoken requires a much more powerful PC compared to Hi-Fi Rush, which is a low-spec-friendly experience.
Microsoft and Tango are yet to officially react to the financial performance of Hi-Fi Rush. Microsoft doesn’t tend to release sales numbers, so unofficial information is the best we’re likely to get.
